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!