I landed in Vero Beach in the afternoon and got a site at a private campground that I had stayed at the previous year. It isn’t cheap, but it isn’t as expensive as most campgrounds near the ocean in Florida during peak season. Besides, I like the place and most of the people seem really mellow.
Vero is a nice town. Upscale in some parts, middle class in others, quaint, quirky and pleasant. Plenty of shopping and dining and great weather. What’s not to like? (Well, other than a few too many people. I’m kind of burned out on cities.) The last time I was there I never got to the beach, this time I did. Soft white sand, puffy clouds, warm sun, warm water. In short, perfect.
Vero sits alongside the inland waterway that runs up the eastern coast of Florida, inside the barrier islands that do the same. There are a couple of nice bridges that arch over that strip of water and lead to the beaches on the ocean side of things. The first bridge north of the campground leads to Vero city park. From there it’s just a short walk across the boardwalk through the dunes to the beach–where I lingered for a few hours basking in the sun, reading and walking on the packed sand at the water’s edge.
The last time through Vero, I had stayed less than a week, so I didn’t get to know the place very well. This time I lingered almost three weeks and got to know it much better. It gave me a different perspective than the Vero Beach I met last time through. I also got to know a few of the people who call this town and campground home each winter a little better.
Ibis by the pond
The place I was staying has several RV sites located in a grassy area in the rear of the park. These sites are for people who either winter here, are staying for a few days or a few weeks (if space is available) or who stay for the minimum five months that allows them to leave their RV’s stored there during the summer for a (comparative) pittance, in the same sites they will use when they return the following winter. Which is nice for them, but I like my scenery to change more often than that.
The people who own lots in this park/campground are, for the most part, permanent residents. Their lots are landscaped and most have swapped their RV’s for modular homes or trailers that haven’t had wheels in decades and now sit on some sort of foundation. The park also has a community room, laundry and swimming pool to round things out.
“uncle Murray”
One of my favorite things during this trip was a group of people who played country, gospel and bluegrass-style music every Friday night in the community room. Guitars, fiddles, mandolin, harmonicas and assorted percussion instruments accompanied the singer/musicians. Some were good, some were passable and others were excellent. Everyone performed with enthusiasm and a wonderful time was had by all. It made an excellent way to pass a Friday evening.
flower buds
water lilies
I also paid a visit to McKee Jungle Gardens, another place I had missed the last time through. The original garden opened in 1932 on 80 acres of land in Vero Beach. The garden was designed by an architect from the firm owned by Frederick Law Olmsted. The owners, Arthur G. McKee and Waldo E. Sexton assembled an extensive collection of water lilies and orchids to be showcased at their garden, along with many other plants and flowers.
“whisper” bench
The gardens were a hit. By the 1940’s more than 100,000 people were visiting the garden per year. Unfortunately, as times change, tastes change. That along with new attractions and the building of interstate 95 spelled the end of the garden’s heyday. Attendance fell off and the property was sold and zoned for development. Condos were built on all but 18 acres. But in 1994 money was raised to purchase and restore the remaining portion of the garden.
weird “fruit”
orchid
water lily
It is an absolutely beautiful place, serene and glorious. I’m sorry that more of it wasn’t available to be saved.
While I was there they were having a sculpture exhibition of the work of Seward Johnson. The pieces were all life-size figures doing everyday things like fishing, reading or just walking. Some were taken from scenes in impressionist paintings, some were modern figures. They were well-executed, with excellent detail, but that type of sculpture isn’t really my thing. So rather than stare at the statues, I stared at all the beautiful lily ponds, orchids and many, many other plants and flowers.
one of the sculptures
But even when I had tired of taking pictures, smelling flowers and wandering along the streams, I wasn’t ready to leave. It was while I was resting on a bench, just taking it all in that I found another way to enjoy the garden. I was just being still and letting the world go by, but three people happened by and thought I was one of the sculptures! When I turned my head, they all jumped and it was kind of fun. So I moved to a different spot and sat again. Got another couple while they were trying to find me in the map of the sculptures. It was too much fun to stop, so I kept it up until just before closing. A wonderful time was had by……me! (Oh yeah, those others left laughing, so it’s a good bet they had fun too….)
bright bloom
The weekend before I was scheduled to move on, Vero had its annual art fair. Of course I had to go. They are a lot more fun when you don’t have to work while you’re there. The work was lovely and good to excellent quality. I was seriously tempted by a pair of cloisonne earrings, but really couldn’t justify the expense. These days I forget to wear earrings most of the time. Seems silly to spend $350 for a pair of earrings I might only wear once a year. So I passed on those in the end. I did, however, order a lovely new blouse. Something I will wear often.
My time in Vero was coming to an end. Time to move on!
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