The Fun Things to do in Southwest Florida

August 18th thru September 13, 2014

Now for the fun stuff that has nothing to do with the bike.

When I arrived here with Al Lowich it was work work work for the first three days.  Hanging temporary shades on the windows, pictures and just plain unpacking.  By day four we said it was time for some sightseeing and a change of scenery!  Al had never been to see the gulf beaches so that was our first stop.

We went to Barefoot Beach first.   Million dollar homes ( I didn't get any photos....darn) surround the beach and the road meanders until the guard entrance where there is an entrance fee.  Since we only wanted to look at the Gulf we turned back and went to see Bonita Beach.  Bonita Beach is not far from Barefoot Beach....in fact the two are connected and is located on a main road sprinkled with houses and various beach access parking lots neatly tucked away so well that it was easy to miss them.   We turned around and were lucky enough to find a parking space. We walked in the sand and looked at the Gulf and talked with a few folks and then went on our merry way.

Next stop was Naples.....home of the Ritz Carlton, The Waldorf Astoria and many other extravagant hotels and restaurants.   We stopped at Tin City ( a tourist trap for sure) and walked around the pier shops.   We were getting hungry but decided to look for some other venue in town to have lunch.  We drove down Fifth Avenue ( Florida's version of Rodeo Drive) and settled on a restaurant called Aqua.   The menu didn't have just want we wanted but the owner was very accommodating and had the chef prepare Grilled Grouper over vegetables.  It is one of the best meals I have had here in Florida.

In my development directly across the street from the house is the town center complete with a post office, nail salon, hair salon, restaurant ( The Railhead) , a gas station and even a car wash.  What more could a person need! There is always happy hour (except on Tuesday's during the summer) at the Railhead Cafe .   Al and visited the Railhead several times after a hard day of unpacking and even had dinner at the bar one evening.  Food is reasonably priced and tasty. 

By Sunday we again needed a rest day from unpacking so we headed to downtown Ft. Myers to visit the Edison/Ford museum.  Ft. Myers was the winter home of both men and they had their houses and gardens located right next to each other and on the banks of the Calahoochee River.  Here is the link to some photos and information about the site.

http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org/

Very interesting place and definitely worth a visit....although mid afternoon  when we went  is not advisable especially in the summer months as the historic site is all outdoors except for the museum at the visitor center.


I have decided that while I am here in Florida I will go on a "beach diet."  Now that I have a parking pass to all of the Collier County beaches for the next year I am going to visit them all.....one a week.  Here is Vanderbuilt Beach in North Naples.

Now the weather conditions.

It was a pleasant day at the beach.


Here is the sunset on one of the walks in Village Walk ( my community)  with my two girls, Tracey and Cindy

Tonight  my neighbor and I went out for a bite to eat.  The name of the restaurant is Ford's Garage.

The car is over the bar and blows fake exhaust when the bartender pulls the cord. 

Now take a look at the bathroom facility.....

Now wouldn't you want that faucet and sink in your house?  Too funny.

More to come as I explore more!