Ford Edison Estates

It seems that one week just flew by and we were disappointed to have to drop Darla and Chris at the airport.

The Ford Edison Estates were not that far from the airport and became our destination as we drove down McGregor Blvd. among the Royal palms.

Mary stands under the largest Banyon Tree in the United States located at the entrance.

Henry Ford had this 1918 Model T Ford Roadster outfitted specially for the camping trips he enjoyed with Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs. I think even today I could make this work!

Mina Miller married Thomas Edison in 1886 and they created their winter estate in Fort Meyers that year. Pretty smart lady in my opinion.

Edison's estate was built in 1886 and remodeled slightly throughout the years. The family home, Seminole Lodge, is connected to the guest house on the far side by a pergola.

I can just picture men in one piece swim suits diving from this diving board while women sit nearby chatting in the shade.

The moonlight garden was built in the 1920s behind Edison's little office.  Notice the strands of light bulbs crisscrossing in the air.

Edison chose this property because of the stand of bamboo. He used bamboo for the filaments in his light  bulbs. A large aloe plant is in the foreground.

The old boardwalk leads out into the Caloosahatchie River. Building materials were brought by steamship up the river.

The guest house that is adjacent to Seminole Lodge.

Mr and Mrs Edison in 1920.

I was just intrigued by the fact that I was looking at Edison's light bulbs and record player. At the museum I was reminded about all his other inventions and they included many models in the displays.

Imagine dining here in the summer before air conditioning.

Henry Ford's property is next to Edison's also on the river.

Now I am seeing Ford's fords!! Amazing although I am not really  sure these belonged to him.
They might have been Edison's.  The Model T 1917 truck sold for around $500 while it would have taken $700 to purchase the 1929 Model A.

Ford's house was a bit small than Edison's.

There are plants and interesting trees all over the properties. Mrs. Edison was quite interested in gardening. Our Garvan Gardens membership allowed us to visit here for free.  Nice!

This Mysore fig was brought from China. Ford experimented with different types of trees to get rubber.

On the way home we stopped at the orchid shop for Mary to purchase some little hangers.

And then we passed the Thai Sushi Restaurant...brakes on!!!! This sushi boat was not ours but my salmon sushi and Mary's pad thai was delicious. I know nobody cares what I ate for dinner but I sure do!