One thing I can’t help but love about Miami are the beaches. Back in landlocked Minnesota we say we have beaches but we’re really deluding ourselves. If it’s not the ocean, it’s really not a beach.

Last week I went to a beautiful beach on Key Biscayne. There are a lot of beaches on the island but if you keep driving to the very end there’s a state park and in addition to a mile of pretty sand and blue blue water, there’s also a lighthouse to explore.

The lighthouse was built in 1855 and refinished sometime in the last 10 years (although I forget the exact date). If you go inside you can climb up a scary spiral staircase that sways gently (and sometimes not so gently) as you walk up. The view from the top is worth it, although the ledge is rather narrow making it impossible to squeeze by anyone if you’re trying to get by.

Above the top ledge there is a small flight of impossibly steep steps that allow you to go up to where the light is. The day I was there the windows were all fogged up because of humidity but I can imagine on a less humid day the view from the very top would be spectacular. Unfortunately the light itself was less of a thrill, but it still did look cool enough to photograph. It reminds me of a bug zapper.

If you happen to be in the Miami area, I highly recommend checking it out. Quite lovely.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
1200 S. Crandon Boulevard
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149
(305) 361-5811