Well how many times have I been on this roundabout and NEVER noticed this in the centre of it? says…read moreit all really imo! This is a gorgeous area - don't get me wrong - as it is located right on the canal, Near a park, and has huge dripping Banyan trees and is most definitely in a POSH area. But these shoes are hard to see, and get to! The sculpture is set right in the centre of this HUGE roundabout. Anyway I sauntered across dodging traffic to get a closer look. They call this area Cocoplum, but it is actually called the "Cartagena Plaza." Supposedly named after the city of Cartagena in Colombia and this is where the original shoe statue is found. Luis Carlos Lopez, a Columbian poet wrote a poem honouring the city where he was born and comparing his emotions to that love that one feels towards an old pair of shoes. Go figure!! This replica was given to the City of Coral Gables in the mid 1980's and is to signify the bond between our "City Beautiful" and that of Cartagena. Cartagena was the first "sister city" of Coral Gables, a program developed back in 1956 to link the US with citizens of other countries, promoting cultural and commercial ties. Anyway back to the shoes, mmmmm

This is a traffic circle at the edge of the Coral Gables Waterway. It is sometimes called Cocoplum…read moreCircle because it is at the entrance of the exclusive Cocoplum neighborhood where the average house sells for 3 million dollars. The circle connects LeJeune Road, Sunset Drive, Old Culter Road, Cocoplum Road and Ingraham Highway. In the center of the circle is a replica of a sculpture titled My Old Shoes by Colombian-born Luis Carlos López. López wrote a poem that compared his love of Cartagena to his love of an old pair of shoes. The sculpture was presented to Coral Gables by it's first sister city Cartagena, Colombia in the mid 1980's. The original sculpture is in Cartagena, Colombia. Matching US cities to cities in other countries in order to promote business ties was a program that was started in 1956. I love the art in public spaces in Coral Gables. This is just one of the many works of art you can find in the roundabouts in the city. The art is just one of the reasons Coral Gables is called the city beautiful.

The seven remaining structures can be seen in the park I was walking at…read more Stiltsville is a group of wood stilt houses located one mile south of Cape Florida, on sand banks of the Safety Valve on the edge of Biscayne Bay in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The structures stand on wood or reinforced concrete pilings, generally ten feet above the shallow water, which varies from one to three feet deep at low tide. View from the Cape Florida Light History Most sources claim the first stilt shack was built in the early 1930s, but some Dade County historians say that there were a dozen shacks in "the flats" as early as 1922. Crawfish Eddie "Crawfish" Eddie Walker built a shack on stilts above the water in 1933, toward the end of the prohibition era, allegedly to facilitate gambling, which was legal at one mile offshore. Crawfish Eddie sold bait and beer from his shack and was known for a dish he called chilau, a crawfish chowder made with crawfish he caught under his shack. Thomas Grady and Leo Edward, two of Eddie's fishing buddies, built their own shack in 1937. Shipwrecking and channel dredging brought many people to the area and more shacks were constructed, some by boating and fishing clubs. Local newspapers called the area "the shacks" and "shack colony". Crawfish Eddie's original shack was destroyed by the late-season Hurricane King of 1950. Calvert Club at Stiltsville Calvert Club The first social club built at Stiltsville was constructed during the late 1930s and named the Calvert Club. The Miami Beach Rod & Reel Club was organized in 1929 and held its first official outing at the Stiltsville Calvert Club in August 1938. A club picture was taken in front of the club, which was popular enough to have picture postcards printed with its image. Quarterdeck Club The Quarterdeck Club, built on a barge by Commodore Edward Turner, opened in November, 1940. The club gained popularity after an article about the club appeared in Life magazine on February 10, 1941. The article noted that this was an "extraordinary American community dedicated solely to sunlight, salt water and the well-being of the human spirit." The club was described as "a $100,000 play-palace equipped with bar, lounge, bridge deck, dining room and dock slips for yachts". The local newspapers began running stories and photographs of parties with celebrities. The Quarterdeck Club was viewed by tourists as a "must see" attraction at Miami Beach, Florida. Rumors of gambling persisted, and the club was raided in 1949, but no evidence of gambling was found. Hotelman Warren Freeman purchased the club in 1950 and envisioned it as a high-class operation. The structure was renovated and expanded, only to be heavily damaged by Hurricane King late in the season. Dejected and broke, Freeman sold what remained. The club was rebuilt, but never regained the popularity of its early years. Hurricane Donna in 1960 damaged most of the structures in Stiltsville, including the Quarterdeck Club, then the building was completely destroyed by a fire in 1961 that burned all the way to the pilings. The rumor was that the owner's wife set fire to the club after a jealous fit. Karl Mongelluzzo, the last owner of the Quarterdeck Club, was denied a building permit in 1967. Party Central Stiltsville may not have looked like much, but in the 1940s and 1950s, it was a popular place where lawyers, bankers, politicians, and other moneyed, well-connected Miamians came to drink, relax and kick back. Law enforcement periodically visited the area, looking for vice activities.

A boat or watercraft is needed to reach Stiltsville as it is 1 mile due south of Key Biscayne…read more Hurricane Andrew destroyed must of the home and businesses. It is a great way to view the Miami coast from sea.

It was a beautiful afternoon to wander around the Grove . There is so much construction here I…read moredon't really recognize it anymore. We have enjoyed many delicious restaurants & eclectic shops over the years. There is a lot of new residential construction next to beautifully carved old buildings. This was a Bahamian settlement in the 1870s, now celebrated in the Little Bahamas neighborhood and through historic sites. Coconut Grove is Miami's oldest neighborhood, known for its bohemian charm, lush canopy, and laid-back bayside lifestyle. It's along Biscayne Bay, this walkable village offers a blend of historic charm, high-end dining, sailing culture, and elite private schools. It is a premier residential area combining tropical surroundings with modern, upscale shops. There are still many banyan trees, but the roaming peacocks are history.

Kicking off 2026 with a review from my time last month in Coconut Grove. Thoughts of my long…read moreweekend there brings a smile to my face. Not only did we luck out with beautiful weather, but we were able to walk around the area daily, patronize a handful of local businesses, and enjoy the friendly, charming vibe that this adorable area has to offer. There is plenty of shopping and people watching + dog watching to be had as well. Don't miss Coconut Grove if you're in the Miami area. A few highlights from my time there: El Bagel, Chug's Diner, Regatta Park, David T. Kennedy Park and the walking path there, and so many great little shops, boutique hotels, etc... Until next time, Coconut Grove!

¡Azúcar! Celebrating Celia's 100th Birthday is the latest exhibit at the Coral Gables Museum,…read morehonoring Celia's trajectory and life. The museum is cozy and transmits a historic vibe, being set in the old firehouse station, and features a charming patio perfect for enjoying a refreshing afternoon or a starry night. The exhibit is beautifully curated and full of life, it truly immerses you in her journey and fills you with the energy of her achievements. It's inspiring to see Celia throughout all her phases, uplifting your spirit and reminding you of the incredible, adventurous experiences life can bring. I really appreciate when institutions pay homage to true Latin icons with all the glory that a symbol of Latin music and culture deserves. Even though the exhibit is small, it's a joyful little capsule of azúcar that reminds you that life is a carnival of happiness. La Reina Celia will always live on through us, every time we dance to her rhythms and step into her world. Just wish it would be a little bigger as the ticket might be a little bit expensive for the exhibitions space and offer (my only reason I don't that the final star it deserves). Coral Gables Museum, keep nourishing our spirit with exhibits like this.

Este consulado es horrible, implementaron un sistema de citas que no sirve para nada, se hacen…read morefilas inmensas y parece que no trabajan por el tiempo que se tarda.

The Parker Vertical Lift Bridge is the historic bridge in Miami Springs that crosses the Miami…read moreRiver Canal and connects Hook Square and Okeechobee Road. It is easily recognizable by its twin spires. The bridge was designed and built in 1927 by the Champion Bridge Company, located in Wilmington, Ohio. The bridge is 74.5 feet high, 158.2 feet long, and has a span of 132 feet. The roadbed was once covered with wooden decking but it was replaced by asphalt. The twin towers on each bank provide support to a vertical lift structure that can be raised to allow larger boats to travel down the canal This bridge has a truss span that lifts the bridge up with sheaves, a system of cables, pulleys, and counter weights. This is the only bridge in Florida with a Parker truss design. It is the oldest of the remaining four vertical lift bridges still in Florida. . The bridge was originally located at 36th street but in 1954 it was placed on a barge that floated it down to this location to serve the larger amount of outgoing traffic. In the 1940's the Miami Canal was dammed and the bridges vertical lift truss span was no longer needed to allow the larger boats down the canal. In 1983 the 125,000 pound counterweights that were used to lift the truss span were removed since they were no longer needed. Today you can still drive over this beautiful and historic bridge as you leave the city of Miami Springs. If you like historic bridges, the Miami River Canal Warren Pony Swing Span Bridge is located nearby and it takes traffic from Hialeah into Miami Springs. Both bridges have been declared historic sites by the cities of Hialeah and Miami Springs. Happy

I was in the area a few weeks ago again for the first time since the very end of 2019. I lived most…read moreof my life in Miami Dade County, most of it in Hialeah and a few years of it in Homestead. I have years of memories crossing this bridge on my way back from FIU, on my way back from work, and so many different adventures and daily activities. May not look like much of a bridge, but for most of my life, seeing this bridge meant I was almost home. I definitely felt nostalgic crossing it to visit Hialeah and seeing some of the places I used to frequent growing up. It made me reflect on how so much had changed in my life. This bridge has been around since 1927, hope it lasts another hundred years.

The Warren Pony Swing Bridge is a historic one lane bridge that carries traffic from Hialeah over…read morethe Miami River Canal between Curtiss Parkway and 1st Street/Hialeah Drive into Miami Springs. There are only a few of these historic swing bridges left in Florida. The Miami River Canal was used by the Seminoles for travel and trade. In 1912 the Miami River Canal was one of five canals that were used to drain the Everglades. It also connected Lake Okeechobee to the Miami River serving as an important route for commerce like oranges and crops and for travel. When Glenn Curtiss and James Bright developed the community of Country Club Estates the Miami River Canal separated it from Hialeah. The primitive three pontoon barge bridge could not handle the increased traffic so Curtiss donated a $23,000 to purchase the swing bridge for Dade County. It was designed by the Pompano and Dania Bridge Company from Broward County, and fabricated and installed by the Champion Bridge Company of Ohio. The bridge was built as a bob-tail swing span with the pivot pier located near the northern bank Hialeah side to provide extra clearance for vessels using the canal. A bridge tender lived in a house on the Hialeah side and manually turned the bridge using a long metal pipe. The Warren Pony Swing bridge predates to incorporation of the City of Miami Springs by two years. Eventually the South Florida Water Management District' installed the S - 6 Saltwater Control Dam downstream of 36th Street and commercial navigation on the Miami River Canal came to an end. In 1941 the swing mechanism was removed and the bridge remains in a fixed position. In 2003, FDOT rehabilitated the bridge while maintaining its historic character. The Warren Pony Swing Bridge has been designated as a historic site by the cities of Miami Springs and Hialeah. I love swing bridges and their history and it is always fun to watch when they swing open. It is sad that they took out the swing mechanism but at least they saved the bridge. It is still a pretty bridge and I always enjoy my drive over it. If you would like to see a swing bridge in action, the Snow-Reed Swing Bridge in Ft. Lauderdale is still operational.

Years ago when I lived in Hialeah, I had to cross the Warren Pony Swing Bridge often. Whether it…read morewas driving to Florida International University (FIU), dropping my brother of at Miami Springs High School, or going to work, I needed to cross this bridge. I know when I had to cross it to go to the company I used to work for, I called this the bridge of lamentation, but thats no fault of the bridge. The bridge was designed by the Pompano and Dania Bridge company of Broward County in 1923. One year later, the bridge was fabricated and installed at its present location by the Champion Bridge Company of Ohio. It cost $23,500. That means that at this time it has been functioning for 99 years! Lets hope it lasts another 100 years!

Unexpected and funky! Fun visuals in Miami Beach. Stumbled upon this art deco surprise I didn't…read moreknow I needed.

I went on a free walking tour of Miami Beach and what appears to be a giant side boob stuck between…read moretwo buildings was there. Apparently, it's a bridge to connect two buildings and inside you don't even know you're inside it. It looks cool from the outside. I'm glad they added the color illuminating lights in his alley way.

Standing on the corner of Main Hwy and Charles Avenue in Coconut Grove is a gorgeous Mediterranean…read moreRevival building designed to resemble a Spanish Rocco Palace from the 1920's that has been abandoned. This is the Coconut Grove Playhouse. It was once the epicenter of the Miami theater scene. It opened on January 3, 1927 as part of the Paramount movie theater with a D.W. production of Satan of Sorrows. The 1,130 seat theater was designed by architect Richard Kiehnel of Kiehnel and Elliott. It was built by Miami local realtors Irving J. Thomas and Fin L. Pierce. Albert Peacock served as the contractor. The building originally had seven stores on the first floor, ten offices, on the second floor, and a third story of apartments. It was the second movie theatre on the east coast of Florida to be air conditioned. It also had the largest Wurlitzer organ in the United States. Although now blue, the original color of the building was sienna. In the 1930's the theater closed due to the Florida land boom bust, an economic downturn caused by two hurricanes and the Great Depression. During WWII the theater found new purpose as a school to train Air Force navigators. After the war the building was again closed until 1955 when George Engle, an oilman spent one million dollars on the theater to remodel it to accommodate the Coconut Grove Playhouse, Miami's first live theater. The renovated theater reopened on January 3, 1956, with the U.S. premiere of Samuel Beckett's existential play, Waiting for Godot starring Bert Lahr and Tom Ewell. Financial success eluded Engle in the ensuing years and the theater again closed in 1960. Producer Zev Buffman bought the building in March 1966 for more than $1 million. In 1970, former actor Eddie Bracken and his associates purchased the building. When Bracken's group failed to pay its debts, the Playhouse was sold at auction at the county courthouse. Arthur Cantor and Robert Fishko purchased the theater, and opened it for the 1971-72 winter season. Cantor and Fishko sold their interests in 1977. In 1980 the State of Florida became the owners. In 2004 the title was transferred to the Coconut Grove Playhouse LLC Inc. Through the years many famous people have performed at the theater including Jessica Tandy, Tallulah Bankhead, Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, Linda Lavin, Bea Arthur, George C. Scott, Colleen Dewhurst, and Ethel Merman. On November 22, 1996, the Late Show with David Letterman originated from the theater. In 2005 the Coconut Grove Playhouse was designated historic by the City of Miami's Historic and Environmental Preservation Board. Four million dollars in debt, the theater abruptly closed in 2006. It has not been used since. In 2013 The Actors Playhouse in Coral Gables and the University of Miami were able to get inside and rescue many of the items including costumes, playbills, documents, and posters. The items are being stored at the University of Miami. The Playhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. It is so sad to see this majestic building with so much history shuttered. A master plan to renovate the theater was approved by Miami's Environmental and Historic Board on April 4, 2017 but it was appealed. Since then nothing has been done as the building is broken into by vagrants and allowed to rot. Miami has so many beautifully preserved historic buildings. I have faith that they will get it together eventually.

What a shame that this iconic historical building has still not been renovated, too much politics…read moregoing on as usual and meanwhile it justs rots away! Such a shame - Here is some history regarding it. The Coconut Grove Playhouse was a theatre in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida, United States. The building was originally constructed as a movie theater called the Player's State Theater. It opened on January 3, 1927, as a part of the Paramount chain. The movie house was designed by the architect Richard Kiehnel of Kiehnel and Elliott. It was built by local realtors Irving J. Thomas and Fin L. Pierce. Albert Peacock was the contractor. The theater was renowned as the second movie theatre on the east coa It was used for a variety of shows until closing in 2006. It has not been used since. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.n the 1950s George Engle, an oilman, bought it and spent over $1 million (equivalent to $47 million in 2017) in renovations having the architect Alfred Browning Parker convert it to a live theatre It reopened on January 3, 1956 with the US premiere of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, starring Bert Lahr and Tom Ewell. In the fifty years that have followed, the Playhouse has played host to many of theater's most renowned performers, including Maureen Stapleton, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Eve Arden, Tallulah Bankhead, Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, Linda Lavin, Bea Arthur, George C. Scott, Colleen Dewhurst, Ethel Merman, and Raúl Esparza.