Koreshan State Historic Site

Not far from our home base in Estero is a wonderful little state historic site full of local history.  Koreshan began when a religious organization followed it's leader to the area in 1894.

Sue joined Chris, Darla, Mary and me for an exploration of the park.

 Several of the older buildings are still on the property. They were a very resourceful and self sustaining group.

One of the many volunteers was giving a demonstration of how they cooked bread in Dutch ovens.

Mary could not wait to sample some of the orange marmalade on a fresh piece of bread.

We walked a trail that meandered under giant palms and bamboo alongside the Estero River. Often we paused to look at bromeliads high in the trees.

While in the park we learned that this is the place to rent canoes! Five dollars per canoe for an hour seemed like a good deal to us. We came back to the park and spent two peaceful hours afloat on the Estero River.

The Estero was fairly narrow in this section while we paddled quietly upstream .. or was it down.

Darla engineered the front of our canoe while Chris and Mary shared the other one.

As we went under the bridge we passed the outfitter that rents kayaks and canoes but I am sure it is not $5 an hour.

Darla and I floated under many giant oaks with the Spanish moss dangling downward towards the river. Near the end of the float we paddled a little further upstream and got to see some Manatees.

Chris and Mary especially liked this fern laden branch leaning out over the river.

When the floating was done it was time to clean up and go in search of seafood!! What a grand day.

Sanibel Island

I first heard about Sanibel Island in the late 1950s and have always wanted to go. Well this was the day and how fun that Chris, Darla, Mary, Courteney, and Will were with me.  First stop: food at the Lazy Flamingo.

We did not come to Florida to eat steak so we were eating a variety of seafoods.

The waitress showed us how to shuck raw oysters. I did not tell her that I knew because anytime someone wants to shuck my oysters I am ok with it. Chris looked on as Darla mastered the art.

Then it was time to head to Bowman's Beach. Did I mention that the weather had turned cold and breezy? I was sure glad I had a hooded sweatshirt along.

I guess we were practicing the Sanibel Stoop as we walked along looking at the many shells.

Niles and Courteney loved romping in the waves while Will watched so we left them to play and went in search of dessert.

We heard that the cake at the Bubble Room was not to be missed. The gaily painted buildings welcomed us in out of the chilly air. Their website conveys the atmosphere.  Do check it out!

The Bubble Room was not open yet so we enjoyed a little time in the Emporium. Darla never knows what granddaughter item she might find.

We were very good and only ordered two pieces of cake to share for the four of us. May we recommend the orange and the chocolate. We ate the cake so fast that we did not even get a picture.

Will caught up with us and fit right in with the employees. They rather enjoyed his visit. I am still trying to figure out why he had this hat along with him on a trip to Florida. 

Another day in paradise!

About town

We opted out of the bird watching trip and were tripping on our own while Mary watched the birds. First stop: the Apple Store. Chris and Darla seem enthralled with the Ipad.

We strolled along in the Coconut Point Mall.

We decided on The Grape for lunch and what a fine choice it was. 

We soon spotted the market and we were in shopping mode again!  Chris is just pretending that she will eat a pastry!

Then we made the first of many stops at the thrift shops that seem to be on every corner.  A relaxing day indeed.

Will and Courteney rolled into town with Niles in tow and we experienced the flea market.

Some days end with sunsets and others just have to end with show and tell.

Afterwards we treated ourselves to some local stone crabs. It was a team effort in the kitchen. We tossed in some crawfish just for good measure.

What better way to end a couple of fun shopping days than to visit in the hot tub.

Estero - Everglades Excursion

Ready or not, Florida, here we come.  Two feet of snow are on the way to Arkansas and we are getting out of town!  Darla, Chris, and I descended upon Estero, Florida to visit my sister, Mary.

This would be our home for a week .. a little much togetherness but we can handle it!

Mary took us on a tour of Riverwoods Plantation and showed us her favorite staghorn fern planted in her friend's secret garden.

At lunchtime we were at Olde Naples' Tin City at a former fishing pier, now a typical tourist spot. 

We enjoyed lunch beside the water and watched the boats and birds, mostly pelicans,  coming and going.

I couldn't be happier than having my first grouper tacos.

We all agreed that a ride on an airboat could be the thrill of the week so east we went to Dade County. We passed many alligators alongside the road as we drove across the Tamiami Trail, aka highway 41, towards Miami. 

Tigertails, one of the Miccosukee Indian tribes' airboat rides, was our choice as they go out across the grass rather than on trails among the Mangroves.

We headed through the Mangroves to the river of grass.

This is just what we were hoping for as much of our week was forecast to be in the 60s and 70s.

On one of the islands owned by the Indians we held various alligators and looked at other Everglades' wildlife.  Mary held this one while Chris thought it would make a nice pair of shoes.

I would enjoy driving the airboat but did not ask. We gave our driver the go fast thumbs up and away we went.

Coming back along the Tamiami Trail we stopped at Clyde Butcher's museum. The pond beside his building had a bit of wildlife that entertained us. 

At dusk we were back on the East coast awaiting a sunset at Naples Beach.  What a long and fulfilling day but are we ever happy!

And then it was time for the evening meal! Why not a quaint restaurant alongside the bay: Fish House on Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. Some of us chose crab legs but all of us chose to share the Key Lime Pie!!!