Bali Cargo Company - Corner Mural

So, this is not the most artistic photo I've ever taken. But the point of this picture isn't my amazing skills with a camera -- it's the way cool wall that you're looking at. I love this mural. It's really quite a shame that the new location isn't decorated as nicely as this one is. Eventually, someone will buy or lease this storefront, and will probably paint over it -- a very boring beige or grey or army green. Ahh well. Such is life.

Bali Cargo Company - Wall Decoration

Well, it appears that I was mistaken. Apparently, the owner of this little enterprise realized the same thing I had known all along -- this location would likely kill the store. I've been informed that they have indeed moved to the shopping district in Atlantic Beach. I'll have to go check out the inside now -- and get some photos!

Bali Cargo Company - Front Entrance

This is the front entrance to a little store that lasted for only a few months here at the beach. I was just going to check it out the other day when I realized it had closed shop. I was more than a little disappointed...it seemed like such a cool place. I'll be posting a few photos of the outside in the next couple of days.

Unfortunately, these little boutiques usually don't last very long here at the beach. Most of the time, people set up shop right along the main drag, 3rd street. However, there's little to no foot traffic along 3rd street. Everyone drives. So you really have to have something special -- or incredible marketing -- to make it there. A better location for these kind of stores would be someplace along 1st street in Jax Beach, or in the shopping district of Atlantic Beach. The rent for those locations, though, is (I'm sure) more than a beginning entrepreneur could afford.

Courtyard

This apartment entrance is located just a couple blocks from Jax Beach Pier. I loved it because it has more of a European flavor, the entrances to the apartments quietly tucked away in the corners of the courtyard. Very different from the run-down beach houses that often line those first few streets along the ocean. There's also an hibiscus bush on the left side of the courtyard...more on that tomorrow.

Ft. Lauderdale

I've returned from my weekend in Ft. Lauderdale, and, as promised, have a few pictures to share. This is what I've been up to the last few days, away from home:

This shot was taken at Dania Beach. I love south Florida because surrounding all the plant life are sea grapes. My husband, who is a native of Ft. Lauderdale, says that sea grapes are south Florida's answer to the palmetto bush, but I think they're lovely.

A cool building located in historic Hollywood, just south of Ft. Lauderdale.

For some reason, I loved this phone booth. Still standing, though it's usefulness is obviously long passed. Now it's just a piece of art, a statement of times gone by.

I can't end this post without a photo of my home town, Jax Beach. So, here you go:

This is a Chinese Fan Palm. I liked the way it created a border between me and the birdbath behind.

Lee's Ice Cream

Lee's Ice Cream is a very cool, vintage ice cream parlor in the entertainment district of Atlantic Beach. Located just a few blocks from the ocean, this is a great place to go get a cool treat and enjoy the amazing weather we've been getting!

For those who have been dropping by, I am going to be down in Ft. Lauderdale the next few days. Unfortunately, I won't be able to post while down there, but I will take some awesome pictures which I will share with you when I return. See you next week!

For Sale

A fairly typical beach house, though a little run down. You run into plenty that look like this, but a lot of the older houses have been or are being renovated, especially those that are just a few blocks from the ocean.

Seeing Double

This is the Casa Marina Hotel, one of those landmarks that people are always throwing out there, as in, "I'll meet you at the beach at the Casa Marina". It's a popular place for outdoor weddings with an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean.