Our intention is to spend the month in Florida in Fort Myers. It will be a quick month with plans to head home for a weekend and then the boys are meeting here to celebrate Christmas. We will leave Three Sons to celebrate Christmas at the Westin Resort across the Caloosahatchee River. Since we will be here for an extended stay and have never been to this area, we rented a car to allow for more exploring. In reflection, a lesson learned is always rent a car with Android Auto or Apple Car Play. Ugh, the stress and tension, between the driver and passenger, (and a few bad words) when trying to drive in an unknown area and giving oral directions.
Three Sons is docked at The Marina at Edison Ford for the month of December. The marina was totally destroyed by Hurricane Ian and just reopened 40 days ago. The story of the destruction and the journey of rebuilding is heart wrenching. Although parts of the first floor marina building is still gutted, this is one of the few marinas fully open with power and water. Looking out at the calm water, it is hard to imagine this same view 15 months ago.The marina next door has not started rebuilding.
Fort Myers Beach
Our visit to Fort Myers Beach. The beach seemed pretty well restored; lots of folks out at beachside bars and on the beach. It really wasn’t until we spoke with someone at the beach visitor center that we appreciated the devastation here. Listening to her story, of the experience riding out the storm in a church, was absolutely heart wrenching. You could still hear the fear and trauma in her voice. This picture is the previously know area as ‘Times Square’. It was loaded with beach side shops and restaurants. The tower in the picture is all that remains of the buildings – it’s actually an elevator shaft. The sea water from hurricane Ian reached where the flag is painted on the tower and remained there for over 10 hours; the departing water did even more damage than the flood as it pulled everything in its path out to sea. The restaurants in the background are modified trailers to help them re-open and create some revenue. After this explanation, all the open space and voids along the beach became sadder to see as we realize they were the site of lost homes and businesses. This sight is repeated all the way south past Bonita Springs where devastation is visible everywhere. It’s good to see more people out using the beach though, and rebuilding and construction everywhere around. Clearly will be a long process; and many believe it’s doubtful it will retain it’s charm as new bigger places move in. Sunday, December 3, 2023 was a gorgeous, hot, 86 degrees, beautiful beach day. We walked along the Fort Myers Beach and the Gulf of Mexico, starting at Times Square heading to Bowditch Park and then back to Avenue C. We ended the day, walking down Old San Carlos Blvd and enjoying live music at Snug Harbor.Holiday Poinsettia Tree at Times Square on Fort Myers Beach
Edison and Ford Historical Estates
Edison and Ford Estates. Thomas Edison visited Southwest Florida looking for a place to relax in warm weather. He fell in love with Fort Myers, bought land and build an estate so he could vacation here. Thomas Edison then convinced his friend, Henry Ford to buy the land next door and do the same. Mina Edison, Thomas wife, loved the house and was quoted “we are living in Fairyland.” She gave the property to Fort Myers to to remember her husband who loved the area and believed in the future of Fort Myers.
Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
The Cyprus Slough Preserve is a narrow wetland with slowly flowing freshwater that filters rainwater towards Estero Bay. Six Mile Slough got it name because cattleman knew once they hit this water is was six miles to Fort Myers.A quiet and peaceful boardwalk with tons of wildlife and beautiful nature viewing.
Another Project and Improvement to Three Sons
Literally, out the window goes things that are not used! We replaced the over with a convention/air fryer (which is easier to use and requires less electricity) and gained some extra storage space. The oven was too wide to fit out the door so, we need to find a way to get it out. Continuing our attempts to save our landfills and repurpose, we found a couple in Ft. Myers refitting a RV and they happily took the oven. Part of the excitement of this adventure was the opportunity to learn new things. UMM? This was not exactly what I was thinking. But the molding for the new oven shelf did come out better than expected.
Lovers Key
Lovers Key State Park is still rebuilding after Hurricane Ian but it has reopened recently and was a wonderful place to spend the day. Along with trails for walking, the beach has miles of beautiful white sand and great shell collecting
Bonita Springs, our favorite location and beach in the area!
Bonita Beach a stunning place! We enjoyed sitting on the beach, walking and then a cocktail from Doc’s Beach Bar while watching the sunset. The coast is lined with million dollar houses still unoccupied and only some being rebuilt. It was interesting to see large machinery rebuilding the beach.
Three Sons got all new solar power! Proof we do more than visit breweries.
Solar Project in process – Went with a more robust design this time with an aluminum frame and two large panels. Each panel can produce 320 Watts and hopefully satisfy our need for cold beer and hot coffee without running the engines or generator on anchor. Final product below.
Fort Myers Historical Downtown
Downtown Fort Myers is a great area with tons of shops and trendy restaurants and bars. The best part it is walking distance from our marina.The downtown area has 9 mental statues scattered throughout the streets.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Farmers Market is by far one of the best we have visited. Great produce, fresh guac, bakeries, fresh ground coffee and crafts.The bridge continues to be rebuild and they are working about 12 hours a day. The only snowman we want to see in December – or any day!
We did our best to support local breweries by visiting as many as possible.
Millennial Brewing Company, one of our favorites. Their event calendar proves they host lots of events and activities. The night we went they were hosting a Jeep Christmas where the parking lot was filled with Christmas decorated Jeeps and food trucks. The Keg Tree and selfie walls of course were a hit with us. Not the best, venue on a main road, food truck was a banquet table, stout and porter were marginal but the Homeport Honey Wheat was a winner.Popped into Scotty’s Bierwerks on Cape Coral for Pizza and Flight Night. Venue has a nice bar and a huge open space room with tables and large windows to see fermenters and working brewery. Between the vats they have tables set up where they hold events like wreath and soap making. Not much of an outside space but the events held in the brewery looked interesting and fun. Tracy picked a flight of ales: Cream Ale, English Ale, American Brown Ale and the one that was interesting, not in a good way, Creamsicle Fruited Ale. Topped off the night with a delicious Oatmeal Stout while Bob choose an American IPA and Double IPA.After a long bike ride, enjoyed this Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale on the rooftop bar at 10 Twenty Five in Downtown Fort Myers!Our second favorite brewery was Point Ybel Brewing. It was a impromptu stop on our way back from Sanibel Island. The brewery is in a strip mall and we felt meh when we pulled up. Walking into the relaxed, beach themed taproom with a beer can Christmas Tree, we remembered never judge a book by the cover. Walking through the back room filled with fermenters and whiskey barrels you enter their outdoor space and the feeling of being transformed to a local beach. The vibe was a complete opposite to the front door, with food trucks, plants, grass, high tables, live music and stouts made in whiskey barrels, we certainly enjoyed the venue. The favorite to date was Fort Myers Brewing Company. Even though it is located in an Industrial Park, it has huge garage doors that allow for an total outdoor experience. Food trucks lined the exterior primer allowing for an enclosed space of fun. Each day, they have scheduled events and a huge selection on tap. Unique and delicious beers were enjoyed on site but needed to be taken back to Three Sons. A fun spot with great beer, that is off the beaten path in an commercial development. No outside space, but plenty of room inside with an relaxed atmosphere. Eight glass flights were available to sample all the beers. Since most beers were on the lighter side, the Last Laugh hit the spot. After a day on the beach in Bonita Springs we stopped at Ceremony Brewing in downtown. A big bar, open space and deco centered around art and heavy metal. Their clam to fame is experimental ingredients and adventurous palates. Our favorites were Cinder and Smoke: Smoked Baltic Porter and Forbidden Ritual: NEIPA. We also visited 8 Foot Brewing in Cape Coral but forgot to take a picture. The bar tender was a local and we not only enjoyed our beer, but conversation with him. Not a brewery but this beer deservers a post! While out to dinner, tried Shiner Holiday Cheer from Spoetzl Brewery TX, one of the best eve’ It was a seasonal holiday Dunkelweizen with hints of peaches and pecans.
