Quick Stop in Ft. Myers

Our decision to make a stop at Ft. Myers was mostly about spending a day at nearby Sanibel Island which is purported to be THE shelling destination. I have brought a lot shells home from Mexico that are currently collecting dust in bags and containers in the office closet. Some have been given away and others are waiting for some, as yet unimagined but nevertheless unique, craft project. Still, while my desire to search for gems on the beach has faded, it is not entirely gone. There is just something exciting about finding an unusual shell and taking it home.

 

Very southern feel to this RV Park.

The RV Park we stayed in had a very “southern” feel too it as it was filled with huge Cypress, Oak and Pine trees, most of them dripping with Spanish Moss. Our site was backed right up to the Popash Creek. Our neighbor assured us that the alligators and snakes stay in the water and do not venture into the campsites. Hmmm. 

 

Popash Creek right behind the RV.

This turned out to be one of Abby’s favorite parks yet with a long walking “nature” path and designated (and fenced) off leash dog play areas. Quite a few of the folks staying there are regulars who drive down from snowy states each year to spend their winters in the sunshine. They love their “second home” and we could see why.

 

Love the great wraparound porch. You can see Ford's home across the yard.

Ft. Myers was the winter residence of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford and the side-by-side homes are preserved and open to the public. What a difference from the Ringling Mansion! Both of these homes were very understated…very much like any home you would see in the Midwest.

One of the guest rooms in Edison's home. Nothing fancy but very homey.

The furnishings are quite ordinary in style even though they were brought from New York by steamship. The Edison home is filled with wonderful examples of his inventions…not the least of which is the light bulb. 

 

I loved this "Rules for Guests" that Edison's daughter wrote.

Chris and I were especially impressed by Edison's workshop. It looked as if any minute Mr. Edison would enter the room and introduce himself.

 

Edison's workshop. Looks like he just walked out for a quick break.

Edison and Ford met early on when Ford was working for Edison and this close friendship continued for the rest of their lives. Thomas Edison imported many unusual plants and trees from around the world in an attempt to discover a workable compound for tires. 

One of the numerous types of fig trees used to develop a rubber compound for tires.

More fig trees.

Chris resting in front of the bamboo.

Clearly he and Harvey Firestone, who was also a part of this trio of geniuses, collaborated from time to time.  

 

Pretty Sanibel Island.

We picked a warm sunny day to make the foray to Sanibel Island. Alas, being the laze-around in the morning people that we are, it was close to noon before we arrived at the beach. It is a pretty, white sand beach and wasn’t too crowded which was a blessing. Clearly, either we were too late in arriving (so the “good” shells were gone) or there was a bit of “false advertising” going on in the literature. All we found were clam shells of a different color than usual. The worst part was that there was a red tide happening so the beach was strewn with dead and dying fish. Had we made the trip a day or two later it would likely have been pretty stinky!

Overall we liked Ft. Myers very much. If we hadn’t had an appointment to meet a friend in Miami I think we would have chosen to hang around a bit longer.