Around Our Neighborhood

Coppertone Girl

Once again it seems like I'm way behind in my blogging efforts and so, while we are actually in Sarasota this week, what I really want to write about is our neighborhood in Miami.

One of the things we enjoy about Florida is the architecture. Some of it is historic and very good, some is way out in terms of form and color, and while we may not love it all, it is almost never boring. I've collected a few photos of some of my favorite buildings around our marina -- all places I see on my daily walks.

The Vagabond Motel

I may have mentioned before that our marina is in a section of Miami dubbed MiMO, for Miami Modern. It's the style of the 50's and I'm sure at least some of you remember the famous Coppertone ad at right, which is right at the end of our quiet
tree lined street on Biscayne Boulevard-- Route 1--a busy main thoroughfare. The area was built up during the 50's, with many Modern style hotels which have since fallen into disrepair. A few are boarded up, some have been renovated to a degree, and many continue to operate as is. Many of them are architecturally interesting, but mostly they are not the kind of places where you'd book your mother's next visit. To see what I mean, check the blog archives, the February 26, 2011 posting, for a photo of the offerings at Wishes Motel.

On the side streets where I prefer to walk, away from the traffic on Biscayne Boulevard, are small houses built in the same period. Many have been renovated, the landscaping is well established and lush, and the neighborhood is quite vibrant.

Biscayne Boulevard Building

There are many restaurants which are walkable from the marina, some small and funky and others with high Zagat ratings. Just south of us down Biscayne is the Design District, a fairly new designation as Miami's art and design sectors have burgeoned in recent years. It's a car ride away, but there are many more wonderful restaurants there. It's quite a luxury to have so many choices in such close range!

As I mentioned earlier, we're in Sarasota this week. We drove up on Tuesday to visit old friends from Marblehead who are staying in nearby Siesta Key for a couple of months. We are leaving Saturday-- after the Farmers Market, which our friends say is a good one. 

Sarasota Deco!

We've really enjoyed Sarasota so far-- and I'll write more about that later, but I do want to share just one photo from here, which is another wonderful building we happened upon while exploring the other day.

That's all my photos for today and just a taste of what's around us when we venture out for a walk!

Hanging Out in Miami

Our Dolphin Escorts

We arrived in Miami a busy three weeks ago today, and at last I feel as if I have a catch up day. After hearing dire reports about the marina here that we loved so much last winter, we were prepared to stay only a couple of days on either side of my sister's visit, then perhaps explore the west coast of FL. We were delighted to find the situation here to be much improved-- so much in fact that after only a couple of hours in our slip, we upgraded our stay to two months!

We had a great visit with my sis. We did some of the usual tourist things, including a perfect weather day in the Everglades, hoping to get a few life birds added to Marianne's list. We only saw two species that counted, but many of each of them-- Anhingas and Roseate Spoonbills) and many, many alligators and wading birds.

Everglades "Dry Hole"

The week she was with us went by quickly and afterwords we immediately set ourselves to working on Carry On. We decided a few months ago that it was time to put Carry On up for sale and re-establish ourselves on land again, with a smaller boat for summers in Maine. We think this process may take a while and while we are still very happy living aboard, it's time to take that first step. So late last week, Carry On made her official debut on the market in Ft Lauderdale. She was scrubbed and polished, sanded and painted and varnished and looking lovely. We're sure in time that she will attract a buyer who will love her as much as we have.

The Joys of Ft Lauderdale!

After four days off Carry On, in a "pet-friendly" hotel in Ft Lauderdale, we were very happy to move back on board again and make our way back to Miami, to our little marina with its gym, pool and manatees and last but not least, our friends from last year. There were some high points in FTL-- dinner with our delivery captain friends, a new crown for Paul (this one for his molar) and a trip to Skyline Chili. You can take a boy away from Cincinnati, but you can't take away his Cincinnati chili!

We are in a serious regrouping mode at the moment. We have been so busy throughout the fall and into this year and feeling rather stressed. Now it's time to focus on taking good care of ourselves, exercising and eating better, as well as relaxing and just enjoying the area. And there is much to do here-- good restaurants, opportunities for theater and concerts as well as museums and movies, and exploring the different neighborhoods-- not to mention reading all the books we've been ordering.

I know the time will go fast-- it always does-- and all too soon it will be time to think about heading north again.