Like a lot of folks who live in places with long stretches of gray and chilly weather, I occasionally head to Florida for sunshine and relaxation. But the Sunshine State is hardly immune to traffic and crowds — especially when the rest of the country is arriving for vacation.Fortunately, Florida has no shortage of wildlife preserves, gardens and other lovely spots that feel a world away from crowded theme parks and popular beaches. One such oasis is Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, about a half-hour’s drive from Fort Lauderdale, an hour from Miami and just a few minutes from Delray’s bustling restaurant and shopping strip.The garden is named for George Morikami, a Japanese immigrant who was part of the Yamato Colony, a farming community founded in 1905 in Palm Beach County.
