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An
Exhilarating Adventure Vacation in Daytona Beach
Discover
the Florida Frontier for an Authentic Cowboy Experience
Enjoying
Charter Fishing in Florida
Florida
Golf Vacations
Fort
Myers Beach and Sanibel Island Offer Incredible Sunsets and So Much More
Kingfish
to Blue Marlin - Destin, Florida is a Great Little Fishing Town With
Beaches Your Family Will Love
Reeling
them in, Destin Style
Vacationing
in Clearwater
Visit
to Kennedy Space Center, See a Space Shuttle Launch
Want
to See a Space Shuttle Launch - Better Hurry, Only Five Missions to Go
More
Travel Reading: Vacationing
in Fort Myers
Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island
Offer Incredible Sunsets and So Much More by Kirby Collins
Fort
Myers is not only a city steeped in history it is also a great example of
'Old Florida'. By 'Old Florida', I mean the neighborhoods have many of
the typical Florida style one level homes with the hurricane shutters on
them and the streets are lined with trees covered in Spanish Moss hanging
almost to the blacktop in some places. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford where
so taken with Fort Myers that they both built elaborate winter homes here
along with work shops that are today, along with the grounds are open to
the public as a museum. There are also several award winning beaches
nearby including Sanibel island, which is famous for it's fantastic
shelling opportunities, Fort Myers Beach just a short drive across the
bridge and Lover's Key a few mile to the south.
 
Sun
Setting Over Gulf of Mexico, Florida, USA
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at AllPosters.com
Beautifully
set along the Caloosahatchee River, winter home of Thomas Edison is one
of the greatest historic treasures within Lee County. In 1885, Thomas
Edison first visited Florida and built a vacation home. It was completed
in 1886 and dubbed "Seminole lodge" by the Edisons, it served
as a winter retreat and work place for the prolific inventor until his
death in 1931. The inventive genius of Edison is evident throughout his
14-acre riverfront estate.
Edison's
tropical botanical garden, has more than a thousand varieties of plants
imported from all over the world, including a rather famous Banyan tree,
which was a gift from Harvey Firestone in 1925. On March 6, 1947, Mrs.
Edison donated the estate to the City of Fort Myers and in November of
that year, public touring of the estate began.
Mr.
and Mrs. Ford came to visit the Edison's in 1915 and like Fort Myers so
much that the following year they bought their own home right next door.
The Ford home, "Mangoes," was purchased by the City of Fort
Myers in 1988 and was opened for public tours in 1990.
The
community of Fort Myers Beach actually consists of two islands, Estero
Island and its sister island, San Carlos. It used to be a remote stretch
of green, edged with sand accessible only by boat. Today, there are more
than 30 beach access points that are marked with colorful beach access
signs that take you to developed, as well as secluded, pristine stretches
of shoreline, many of which are near restaurants and outdoor cafes. You
can hike, bike, lay out in the sand, shop and have a great seafood meal
while not being too far from the 'main land'.
Sanibel
Island is renown for it's spectacular shelling beaches where you can
learn to do the "Sanibel Scoop". What makes this such a great
shelling place is the islands unique positioning, it runs east to west,
which is different from most islands which run north to south, this
allows it to catch the many different kinds of sea shells. As you search
the sand looking for that perfect shell be sure to put lots of sunscreen
on your neck and wear a hat so your head doesn't burn. You will also need
a bucket, net bag and scoop or shovel. Shelling at low tide after a storm
is best and remember is illegal to take "live shells" from the
sea. While on Sanibel Island be sure to visit the J.N. "Ding"
Darling National Wildlife Refuge and enjoy one of the many bike paths, go
bird watching, snorkel or walk along the beach.
Beach
on Sanibel Island, Florida, USA
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Lover's
Key is just a few miles to the south and as the name suggests, it's a
very secluded place where you and your lover can relax and enjoy each
other's company, and no one else's if you choose. It has also been named
one of Florida's and the nations best beaches to visit on more than one
occasion
Over
all the Fort Myers area is a great place for those who love the outdoors
whether it's on or off shore. Fishing, swimming, snorkeling, camping,
hiking, biking, bird and animal watching, Fort Myers is a great place to
spend a few days or life it truly has something for everyone.
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