Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Murals on Marathon


It's easy to fly by all the brightly colored buildings as you try not to rear end anyone in the inconsistently paced traffic that is the Overseas Highway. After all, most buildings are painted pink, purple, blue, yellow... as you'll often see in tropical places. But it is worth taking your time on Marathon because there's so many buildings with original murals by local artists. Buildings throughout the Keys have signs or murals painted on them, but I noticed that Marathon in particular supported this beautiful street art. I won't tell you where all of these paintings are, partly because there's fun in finding them yourself, and partly because I didn't remember to jot that information down. Do be careful slowing, stopping, and making quick U-turns to spot these things. And don't be afraid to fly past one and pull a U-ey to go back. If there's one driving adage in Florida, it's never underestimate the power of a U-turn.


A closer look at part of the previous mural that was hidden by the dumpster. Cute! 



Many of the buildings with murals housed dive shops or fish-related businesses (seafood shops, fishing tours, etc.)

Trucks look good with a mural. This is a local Mahi-Mahi fish. Locals call it "dolphin", which can be confusing and traumatic to small children when they see "Dolphin Bites" on a menu. Don't worry, kids; Flipper is not for eating.

Even the big box stores dress up their massive expanse of concrete wall. I wish they did this everywhere.

This is a dive shop on Key Largo, not Marathon. But it's the only building I saw with all four walls painted in a single mural.

No comments:

Post a Comment