Exploring Ft. Myers

On Saturday, March 23rd, we awaited the arrival of Jeff and Kathy as well as did some preparation for the upcoming crossing of Lake Okeechobee. This would include going through our first few locks.

In so doing we had been advised that we should have a few extra fenders available to deal with the often time rough sides on the interior of some locks. Taking this advise and suggestion on how to deal with it, we inflated some exercise balls inside some laundry bags. The advantages include that these "fenders" can be deflated for easy storage and are inexpensive for an item that will have limited use.

                                       

Jeff and Kathy arrived on the boat in the early afternoon and got settled in.

As we walked the docks looking at boats, we found our first loopers, Ross and Laura from The Zone. They invited us to our first "docktail party" at 5:00 that night. The protocol is that each boat brings a bite to eat, whatever it is that they want to drink, and a load of conversation to share. No problem!

We were presented with another "killer" sunset that evening.

The next day we were able to explore Ft. Myers on foot.  Ft. Myers was the summer the former summer home of Thomas Edison and his family.

He had quite an estate on the edge of the Caloosahatchee River which included the main house and multiple outbuildings.

The shallow river depth required a 1500' long dock be built in order to  be useful.

One of the buildings included a large building that he used for his laboratory to test his inventions. It is still largely intact and very interesting to see.

Amongst Edison's friends was Henry Ford. In his early adult life Ford worked for Edison in his factory in New Jersey while he was refining his version of the internal combustion engine. Although Ford was much younger, they became great friends. Ford eventually bought a piece of property right next door to the Edison's.

The Edisons, Fords, and Firestones spent a lot of time together at the Ft. Myers summer homes.

After touring these estates it was time for lunch. Where else would you go but Ford's Garage, an eatery in downtown Ft. Myers known for its great hamburgers and creative drinks.

And after lunch and still being thirsty where else would you go but to Firestones, a rooftop lounge with a view of the harbor.

Actually, there were views of a lot of things from there.

Among the boats in the harbor were replicas of the Nina and the Pinta. They tour the coastal towns and I think have been seen as far north as the Great Lakes.

It was early to bed this night as we were off to Clewiston, Lake Okeechobee, and our first locks to transit the next day.

Nautical Word For The Day: [from seatalk.info]

Tang:

1. A metal plate fastened to the mast to which shrouds are connected.

2. A projection of a blade or tool to which a handle is fastened.

From Great Loop Jargon:

3. A not-so-tasty orange flavored drink made famous by astronauts and the space program.