A Botanical Experience
As my winter pilgrimage to the Tampa Bay / St. Pete area winds down, I wonder what did I do here for the past 2 months. There are so many things left on my list.
Good Morning Dr. BBQ
I see a spot on a local TV station highlighting a local celebrity chef known as Dr. BBQ. He offers some unique items beyond the traditional BBQ fare. I am intrigued by his pork rind nachos and deem that as my days’ initial goto destination.
These nachos feature beef brisket, Tequilla habanero aged cheddar queso, lime crema, and pickled onions. This dish along with the campfire monkey bread proves to be a perfect way to start the day.
Not sure where I will head next, I Google cool things near me. As the radio is non-stop Corona coverage, I’m seeking a break from the continuous drumbeat of gloom and doom. Then I see it, The Sunken Gardens are just a few minutes away.
Sunken Gardens of Temptation
The sign just screams old Florida roadside tourist attraction. It’s just the kind of kitschy thing that is too tempting to pass up. It’s surprising to find such an oasis tucked into the middle of bustling St Petersburg.
The 4-acre Gardens were purchased in 1903 by George Turner, a plumber, an avid gardener. He drained a shallow lake on the property to reveal a rich layer of soil 15 feet below the street level. He begins cultivating exotic plants that he has collected. By 1924, visitors are paying a quarter to stroll through his lush now world-renowned garden.
In 1935, it officially opens as Turners Sunken Gardens. In the 1950s, exotic birds are added to the historic gardens.
The Sunken Gardens admission is a reasonable $12 and folks are in line to get in. I enter the park and pick up a map and a bag of koi food. The park map details 24 distinct areas featured within the sunken garden.
I stroll through the Fountain Plaza then the Palm plaza and I hear a familiar “Hello”. Looking up and around into the towering palms again, “Hello”.
HELLO!
Following the friendly greeting around the bend, I find nestled in the exotic flora are several large bird cages housing some colorful parrots.
Trying not to make a fool of myself by continuously calling back “hello” myself, the birds become suspiciously if not stubbornly quiet. My assertions to a few of the other visitors that these birds do in fact talk drew some curious looks from them and the birds. Damn birds.
I sheepishly head on down the trail toward the bromeliad garden.
Flamingo Dance
Like little shining beacons, I spot the Chilean Flamingos. Like a moth to a flame, I dart past the original entrance to see these salmon-colored birds up close. I’m a sucker for birds, especially big birds. I sit on the wooden bench nearby and just marvel at the things. I notice wave after wave of other visitors come through and take a picture or two before moving on. Yet, I’m glued to watching the birds preening, calling and dancing. It’s like I’m watching a thriller. The only thing missing is the popcorn.
Swoosh, Gulp
My avian trance is abruptly broken by a shadow out of the corner of my eye followed by a white flash. Seems while I was staring at the flamingos, a white heron was staring at the cigar sized minnows in the wading pond at my feet. Before I can even refocus, the quick minnow snack is gobbled down.
Satisfied that I have seen enough of the flamingos for this visit, I venture around the trumpet tree and revisit the bromeliads that I had overlooked previously.
Growing Stone
The Growing Stone at first glance looks like an ordinary large rock. In actuality, it is a fossilized mound of limestone that is uncovered after the draining of the lake.
He who sits upon the ancient stone shall be granted tranquility, inner harmony and the ability to make things grow
With the current angst of the Corona virus and my imploding stock portfolio, I am glad to stumble upon the Growing Stone and am anxious to try out its healing powers. After closing my eyes for a few seconds and assuming the obligatory yoga-type pose, I feel it beginning to work. I hear sounds of birds in the canopy that I haven’t previously noticed, the sounds of waterfalls permeate the airwaves and off in the distance, I can hear the faint call “hello”. Damn birds.
With a renewed sense of optimism and calm demeanor, I continue through the garden. The paths criss-cross and intertwine and somewhere along the way I veered off the sequential numerical course as presented on my map. I decide to forgo the map and just freestyle the remainder of my time here. I use this an opportunity to check in on my flamingos again and they appear to be doing okay in my absence.
Go Fish
Having forgotten I had a pocket full of koi food, I’m excited when I find the koi pond. Feeding the large carp/goldfish has always been a simple pleasure that I enjoy and today doesn’t disappoint.
I find it entertaining to try to single out the fish I want to receive my little piece of kibble. I make up names for them and call out to goldie, orange boy, or spot “this one is for you” as I toss the food in their direction.
The remaining attractions in the garden include an orchid arbor that was pretty shy on orchids, a large grassy wedding lawn, waterfalls, arbors, and a cacti/succulent garden. I certainly find the first 1/2 of the garden more to my liking. Several of the exhibits were under reconstruction and will certainly be an added addition to the sunken gardens.
I spend about 45 minutes in the Gardens and feel I need to get my money’s worth and backtrack back through my favorites. This includes a revisit to the parrots. I call out once again, “Hello”. I get nary, a beep, crow, nor squawk. Damn birds.
When not on the road, he helps others fulfill their yearning to travel as a Membership Specialist for Thousand Trails.
I love Sunken Gardens Craig! Its been a few years since i’ve been there but my mom and dad had a place in St Pete so we made a regular habit of going there!!! Thanks for the update my friend!
That’s awesome, small world huh? And there are no gators there, or at least I didn’t see any 😉
I really like your photos of the damn birds.
Carroll and I are headed to Largo Fl and we plan to stop in Georgia before coming back home. Definitely going to the gardens and want to check out the horseback and dolphins. Thanks for the great tips, your awesome!
That’s great, I can’t wait to hear about your experience. Take lots of pictures!