Exploring Mango Festival at Fairchild

Mangoes for sale at Fairchild include some grown on its farm in Homestead.

This time of year, I dream of mangoes. Their sultry, sweet taste calls out to me. I really wanted to return to the International Mango Festival at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, but I didn't want to pay the $25 entrance fee.

Then I remembered my membership to the Mounts Botanical Garden in suburban West Palm Beach. It has a list of reciprocal gardens that offers free admission, and Fairchild is on that list. I called to make sure Fairchild would accept the Mounts card to enter the Mango Festival.

Next, I needed to find another Mounts member who would travel with me. I thought of Carol Carnevale, friend and former boss, who went to the Tropical Fruit Festival at Mounts. She readily agreed to drive with me the 70-some miles south to Fairchild.