Fort Myers The Florida of days long past, with unspoiled white sand beaches, exotic wildlife and lush subtropical foliage, still can be found on The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel in southwest Florida. Known as Florida’s tropical island getaway, this paradise is a favorite vacation spot because of its feel of old Florida that no longer exists in many areas. In addition to the beautiful natural environment, active travelers are pleased to find an abundance of golf, tennis and watersports, as well as some unusual attractions. Lee County embraces nine distinct areas, each with its own unique character. Best known are Sanibel and Captiva islands, connected to the mainland by an alluring three-mile-long causeway and, to each other, by a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bridge at Blind Pass. Sanibel is known worldwide for its shelling. More than 400 varieties of shells litter the beaches, and particularly can be found after an especially high or low tide. For most visitors, however, shelling is merely a delightful excuse to enjoy hours of sun worshipping along some of the finest shoreline in North America. Interesting shops, restaurants, and art galleries dot the road from the Sanibel Lighthouse to Tarpon Bay Road. On the way to Captiva Island, located toward Sanibel’s northern tip, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is home to many exotic species of birds and plants. A four-mile drive with access to walking and canoe/kayak trails offers outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities. The refuge occupies more than half the island. The main attraction on Captiva is that there are none. Many people wile away the hours in one outdoor endeavor or another. It was here that Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife of the famous aviator, wrote her best-selling book, “A Gift from the Sea.” Further south, Estero Island, home of Fort Myers Beach, long has been recognized as one of the “world’s safest beaches” because of its gently sloping shoreline. The sand is particularly soft and white, akin to powdered sugar. Especially suited for family vacations, Estero offers every imaginable water toy, from windsurfer to catamaran and parasailing. Numerous marinas operate boating and fishing charters. Local restaurants benefit from the catch, which generally includes red snapper and grouper. Anyone suffering from island fever can find instant relief by paying a call to the “City of Palms,” in Fort Myers, with its charming downtown historic district and expanding hub of urban activity that extends to shopping malls, restaurants, and nightclubs. Inventor Thomas Edison and his friend, automobile manufacturer Henry Ford, decided early on to make their winter homes in Fort Myers. Today visitors tour their neighboring estates with Edison’s botanical gardens, laboratory and museum. During Edison’s 46 winters in Fort Myers, he and his wife Mina hosted well-known house guests like industrialist Harvey Firestone, President Herbert Hoover and cereal king John Harvey Kellogg. Henry Ford purchased his quaint home, “Mangoes,” in 1916 to spend the winter months visiting Edison. The two properties were separated by a fence the two families named “The Friendship Gate.” Other in-town attractions include the Southwest Florida Historical Museum, downtown river cruises, and the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. Shell Factory in North Fort Myers and Eden Vineyards, the country’s southernmost bonded winery, to the east are also popular stops. For the sports minded, public golf courses and tennis courts make southwest Florida some of the best playing turf in the state.
23