Day 5: September 30,
On our first full day in Fort Myers, we spent running errands.
First, we went to the post office to mail his keys to my daughter's former renter and to change her mailing address.
Next, we went to Verizon to return the internet box that my daughter used while living in Providence.
We stopped at Famous Dave's in the Villas at 1:13 P.M. for lunch. This is one of my favorite places to eat.
We both ordered a bowl of Collard greens with ham hock, two cornbread muffins, three mouthwatering ribs, Coleslaw, and water with lemon.
At 2:30 P.M., we were at my daughter's new job, where she filled out paperwork while I sat patiently in the lobby, playing dominoes on my iPhone.
Our next stop was Tin City, a rustic maritime area that was once the center of the Naples fishing industry.
It is now a boardwalk lined with tin-top buildings that overlook the water.
With a sign pointing to Tin City Restaurants, Waterfront Dining, Riverwalk Restaurant, and M&M Cafe.
M & M Cafe serves lunch, coffee, and Ice cream. They had a great selection of ice cream and had a hard time deciding which flavor to choose.
I decided on two dips of Chocolate Heath Bar in a waffle cone.
It was delicious! I could not eat it fast enough. It was dripping to high heaven.
🚒
We heard the sirens from fire trucks; they had come to put out a fire in the building next door.
We rode back to Verizon, where the daughter bought a new iPhone and iPad.
We watched TV until bedtime.
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| Tin City |
Day 6: Thursday, October 1
Our first stop today was CV Pharmacy, where my daughter bought several personal hygiene items.
We rode to Cracker Barrel, where we split a big breakfast.
I ate sausage, egg, and toast with iced tea. 🍴
My daughter ate eggs, sausage biscuits, gravy, & grits with iced tea.
We spent the remainder of the day at
Paul Mitchell's Hair of Design, getting our hair done.
Wendy gave me a ninety-degree or Gyspy Shag haircut.
We talked while she styled my hair, and she told me that she would graduate in December.
Wendy's supervisor was Ana.
Wendy had to fill out a sheet about my hair,
She marked my hair as medium, and I liked the fullness and volume.
She used extra body for the shampoo and conditioner.
She blow-dried my hair and added body sculpting.
My daughter has extensions in her hair, which take longer to color and style.
It was late when they finished, and I was getting hungry.
We went to Red Robin Restaurant for dinner.
I had received a free birthday meal coupon and used it to order a Red's Tavern Double Hamburger with classic-sized patties, melted cheese, tomatoes, and Red's Secret Tavern Sauce, with onion rings, and water to drink. 🍔
My daughter ordered a Merry Moscato Punch. 🍺📞
Next, we stopped at Verizon to download the information from my daughter's old iPhone.
They had sent the old phone to the parent company.
We rode by Sally's, but she had already closed for the day.
We rode back to the apartment, and my daughter started unloading her car. I fell asleep on the sofa.
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| Breakfast at Cracker Barrel: Sausage, eggs, gravy, grits, biscuits |
Day 7: Friday, October 2
Our first stop was the Driver's License Bureau, so my daughter could get her Florida driver's license.
We went to the O Farmers Market Restaurant in Fort Myers for lunch.
We both ordered Collard greens, Black-eyed peas with ham hock, onion, cornbread, and iced tea.
We rode to the Farmers Market Mall, where we
bought an iPhone cover, bananas, and tomatoes. ☎️
Next, we rode to the Post Office along the waterfront in Fort Myers.
While my daughter was taking care of business at the post office, I walked across the street to the waterfront.t
I took a picture of Mayor Art Hamel Pier, & Red Mango Rhizophara Mangle Mangrove.
I took pictures of coconut trees, statues, and a sign: Boaters' Guide, Captain, P. Wheel Boat, clean water for a Healthy Ecosystem.
I walked back to the car only to find my daughter looking for a lost check.
She said when she got out of her car, she could not find the check she was going to mail.
She wrote another check and mailed it, but wanted to find the one she had lost, so she would not have to cash it.
As we were leaving the parking lot, my daughter spotted a piece of paper —the check.
We rode to Sanibel Island, stopping to pay a six-dollar toll.
We stopped to take pictures of the Sanibel Lighthouse.
We spotted a group of bicycle riders riding along the waterfront.
We stopped near a fence overlooking the water, where I took several pictures, and one of the riders said, Do you want me to take your picture?
We stopped to take a picture of a sign that read "gopher tortoise crossing."
We stopped at Sanibel Historical Village, which was closed for the season.
We stopped at Bailey Matthews Shell Museum, which was closed for the season.
We stopped at the SCCF Marine Laboratory, where we walked a couple of trails.
We rode back across the COs-way, stopping to watch the sunset, on the Sanibel coastline.
I took several pictures with my cell phone; I forgot to bring my big camera.
At 7:30 P.M., we went to Laugh-in Comedy Cafe, where we enjoyed listening to several different comedians. I ordered a Coke, and my daughter ordered a mixed drink and some sort of chili chips dip. 🍺
It had been a full day for me, so when the show ended, we came home. My daughter went back to the comedy club where she joined the comedians for a drink.
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| Sunset on Sanibel Island |
Day 8: Saturday, October 3
Our breakfast consisted of oatmeal.
We rode to Everglades City, the gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands, located near Florida's southern tip, southeast of Naples.
We stopped in front of the Historic Community Church. The bells ring every hour; they were ringing when we stopped.
The church was built about 1926; it had a white wooden triangular roof, with a red front door, a ludic arch walkway, and a bell tower.
We stopped in front of the historic courthouse, a two-story white concrete building with a four-column front porch, a black-iron balcony with seven steps leading up to the porch, and a triangular roof over the porch.
We stopped in front of the Captain Table Hotel, which was orange, yellow, and blue, with air conditioners hanging from every window.
We stopped in front of the green-and-white felt-top roof B&B with the red door, covered by a red awning, with air conditioners hanging from every room.
We stopped at the Museum of the Everglades, Collier County Museum, located in a pink-and-white building with a glass front door and four long, square windows, in front of a three-tier triangular gray roof. The museum houses permanent and rotating exhibits. We saw Stone Crab, lobsters, a large board titled "Building the Town," Barron Gift Collier, Everglades Laundry, a poster from a couple of movies made here, Gone Fishing, and Just Cause. We saw a scale of 11 inches to 400 feet of the Everglades in 1931.
In 1927, this building was used for a commercial laundry.
Last but not least, I took pictures of the tall red hurricane tower. 📷
We stopped at Triad Seafood Market and Cafe, a small family-owned restaurant, where we ordered grilled Grouper with Coleslaw, fries, hush puppies, and water with lemon.
Triad Seafood Market and Cafe are located at 401 School Drive, Everglades City, Florida.
Tours depart from parks docks on Chokoloskee Causeway on Rt 29, one-half mile south of the traffic circle at the ranger station, Everglade City, Florida.
We arrived at Ranger Station, Everglades National Park, where we bought tickets for the Seahorse boat cruise.
On the cruise, our guide pointed out ospreys, roseate spoonbills, dolphins, bald eagles, but no manatees. ⛵️
It was an enjoyable ride; everyone was moving from side to side on the boat, trying to take pictures of the dolphins.
On the boat, we met a woman from New Jersey. She said that she loved to travel.
When the ride ended, we thanked our guides.
We rode to the Everglades Observatory Tower.
A wooden structure, 80 feet high, with 100 steps.
When we reached the top, we could see for miles in every direction.
We saw the mangroves, the water of the Everglades, and the ten thousand islands.
Slowly, we climbed down to the ground.
We rode to H.P. Williams Roadside Park, a part of the Big Cypress National Preserve.
We saw a couple of Alligators, Cypress Trees, Egrets, Bromeliads, Wood Storks, Cypress Knees, and Orchids.
We saw a sign that read, "Wildlife & You: How you behave can save."
The thrill of watching an animal in its native surroundings can be spectacular and awe-inspiring. While visiting, remember this is their home and you are a guest. Respect wildlife by observing from a distance and by not feeding or harassing them.
We saw another sign:
Big Cypress National Preserve
Rain-theSwamp's Lifeblood
National Preserve Map
Detail Map
Wildlife Viewing
Big Cypress Alligators
Imagine alligator relatives dating back to the days of dinosaurs, over 150 million years ago.
Fighting an Invasion
Ebb and Flow
Birds of Big Cypress.
We stopped at the 7x8-foot Ochopee Post Office, the smallest post office in the world.
It was once used as a shed for irrigation pipes on a tomato farm.
Considered to be the smallest post office in the United States, this building was formerly an irrigation pipe shed belonging to the J. T. Gaunt Company tomato farm.
It was hurriedly pressed into service by postmaster Sidney Brown after a disastrous night fire in 1953 burned Ochopee's general store and post office.
The present structure has been in continuous use ever since—as both a post office and ticket station for Trailways bus lines—and still services residents in a three-county area, including deliveries to Seminole and Miccosukee Indians living in the region. Daily business often includes requests from tourists and stamp collectors worldwide for the famed Ochopee postmark.
The property was acquired by the Wooten Family in 1992.
It was getting late, and we were both very hungry.
I had a coupon for a free birthday dinner at
Ruby Tuesday, so we looked online to find the closest Ruby Tuesday.
We stopped to get a Togo order.
I ordered a hamburger with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles, with fries, which I split with my daughter.
We had a great time, but still had to ride home.
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| Happy Alligator at the Everglades |
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| Happy Alligator at the Everglades |
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| Triad Seafood Market and Cafe Grouper, Coleslaw, fries & hush puppies |
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| Triad Seafood Market and Cafe |
Day 9: Sunday, October 4
My daughter slept late, so I spent most of the day watching TV.
My daughter's roommate and her boyfriend went to the beach.
We rode to Olive Garden for supper.
I ordered the Garden Classic Shrimp Scampi & a slice of Pumpkin cheesecake. I had a birthday coupon for a free dessert. My daughter said, "Mom, you have celebrated your birthday many times this year."
For supper, my daughter ordered a bowl of soup and a salad. 🍲
We got a Togo box for our leftovers.
We went to Walmart to buy a few groceries. I bought a box of granola bars and a six-pack of Diet Cokes.
My daughter had two keys made for her apartment.
One of the keys that they made did not work. My daughter's roommate went back to Walmart to return the key.
My daughter finished with her laundry.
She and her roommate went to a club in Fort Myers.
Day 10; Monday, October 5
My daughter worked from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
I slept later than usual.
For breakfast, I had avocado dip with two crackers, a Granola Bar, and a Coke.
After breakfast, I wrote in my journal.
I called my cousin Lynn, and we talked about the Family reunion they were having in Michigan. I said I could not attend because I would be in Fort Myers until the twenty of October.
My daughter's roommate's boyfriend took her to the Everglades City National Park.
My daughter stopped at Long John Silver's and bought
fish, shrimp, slaw & hush puppies for supper.
That night we watched the movie Gammie
Shelter, the movie, was based on a true story.
Day 11: Tuesday, October 6
My daughter worked 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M.
I washed clothes.
I went with Jackie to the post office, Verizon, and Walmart.
Jackie and I spent the day getting to know each other.
For supper, Jackie grilled chicken, I fried potatoes, and my daughter made avocado.
Dip.
For a snack, I ate a cup of chocolate-covered shortbread cookies
That night we all watched the movie Bosses 2 📺
Day 12: Wednesday, October 7
My daughter worked 8:00 A.M.-7:30 P.M.
Another lonesome day. I made a few phone calls, one to my Hubby and another to my sister.
Jackie's boyfriend, Zac, came over for a few hours, and after he left, Jackie and I rode to FedEx, Dollar Store, Sally's, Goodwill, & Verizon.
When my daughter got off work, she and Jackie went out clubbing.
I spent the evening watching old TV shows.
Carol Burnett, Perry Mason, Hogan's Heroes, Lavern & Shirley, Andy Griffen, and Mash.
Day 13: Thursday, October 8
My daughter and I both got a pedicure and a manicure at Asian Nails, 6900 Daniel Parkway, 89
Fort Myers 239-561-0262.
My pedicure was ruby red and natural.
It was very relaxing as the chair massaged our backs, legs, and arms.
When we finished, we stopped at Rib City 6830 Shoppers and Plantation Drive, Ft Myers, 239-225-7427.
We both ordered a turkey sandwich on Texas toast and Coleslaw. I ordered green beans, and my daughter ordered baked beans.s
We both ordered water with lemon.
We stopped at Walmart, where I bought bagels with cream cheese, granola bars, pumpkin pie, cereals, Dove limes, Power, baby lotion, wipes, and cottage cheese.
We returned home, then my daughter and Jackie left. When they returned, they had a beautiful bouquet of lavender lilies and a birthday card that read.
"Mom
You taught me how to help, why not to judge, and when to let things be
All I had to do was watch you."
Celebrating you today for the woman you are
an example you've always been
Happy Birthday, Love you, Mom
Your Daughter
Love you always, Jackie
Happy Birthday
That night, we watched the last movie made by Robin Williams
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| Flowers and Birthday Card |
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| Turkey sandwich on Texas toast |
Day 14: Friday, October 9
For breakfast, I ate cereal, a bagel with cream cheese, and a banana.
My daughter slept late, and when she got up, she went to tan. When she returne,d she did her eyelashes, and she did Jackie'seyelashess.
We rode to Famous Dave's for dinner around 2:30 P.M. 🍴
I ordered ribs, brisket on toast, collard greens, onion, and cornbread with water.
My daughter ordered catfish filets, brisket on toast, collard greens, onion, cornbread, and water with lemon.
I told the manager that today was my Birthday, and she said that we should fill out their card so that we could receive their coupons every month.
We rode to Fort Myers Beach, people were getting ready for the Pirate Festival, and the traffic was terrible.
We rode across the bridge (Big Carlos Pass) to the Mound House on Estero Island, where we saw an Iguana on the side of the road.
🐉
We had just seen a sign that read, "Do not feed the wild animals." I said, What wild animals? My daughter spotted an Iguana.
We stopped to take his pictures until he scurried into the brush.
We saw a sign that read "Park gate closed at 4:30 P.M."
We saw a woman walking her dog in the park, so we asked her if she thought it would be OK to park. The gate closes at 4:40 P.M., and it would be OK for us to park.
At the Mound House Park, we saw a butterfly garden as we walked to the pier.
The Mound House had an underground tunnel.
As we walked along the paths of the Mound House, we saw mango, lime, & coconut trees. We saw a couple of coconuts lying on the ground. We picked up the coconuts so we could take pictures while we were holding them. We returned them to the ground where we found them when we finished taking pictures.
We saw a sign that read.
A Case of Fruit From the Case Grove
By the 1900s, settlers were successfully growing tropical fruit. The coastal hammock, or hardwood trees west of the mounds, was converted into orchards and fields.
This was where William and Milia Case raised figs, bananas, grapefruit, mango, papayas, tomatoes, and limes.
They sold their fruit at local markets.
Fort Myers Cash Crops
Farming was the predominant industry on the island and the mainland.
Many farmers experimented with growing a wide variety of products, including grapes, avocados, grapefruit, oranges, sapodillas, peaches, pineapples, coconuts, and papayas.
Eventually, the pineapple became Florida's Cash Crop.
Next, we rode to Benita Springs State Park.
My daughter parked the car and we walked across a wooden bridge to the water's edge.
I pulled off my sandals and put my feet in the water, which was a big mistake because I couldn't get the sand off my feet.
I thought I would wipe my feet off in the grass, another mistake because it was full of tiny prickly weeds called Nikerbeans that stuck tightly to my feet.
Quickly, I began to remove the prickly from my feet and put my shoes on. This was a beach where you had to wear shoes.
We took several pictures📷
I saw my daughter venture into the Nikerbeans, but she did not stay long there.
When we returned to the car, I found the bottoms of my shoes covered in Nikerbeans, and I tried to beat them off.
We rode back to Fort Myers Beach Front to the Pirates Festival.
My daughter parked the car, and she went to put money in the meter. I walked toward the booths of the Pirates.
I was talking to one of the pirates when I heard my name called. It was my granddaughter.
She was driving with her boyfriend, Logan, her mom, and her stepdad. They said that they were going to SOB's Restaurant to eat. I said that we would meet them there for drinks, since we had already eaten.
My daughter and I started walking up the street. We were not sure where SOBS was located. I saw a man walking down the sidewalk and asked him where SOBS was located. He said, "Don't know. I am not from around here."
I bet he thought I was crazy for asking such a silly question.
I saw a sign in the distance that read sobs. I just realized what I had just said, and I started to laugh. When we arrived at SOB's, I was greeted with a hug from my granddaughter and her boyfriend. They had saved us a spot at their table.
My granddaughter's stepdad ordered everyone drinks and a large plate of raw oysters.
My granddaughter and her boyfriend ordered a hamburger with fries, she said they had not eaten all day.
Her boyfriend said this was his first time flying and that he had enjoyed it very much.
Our table was following the sidewalk. At first, the sun was so bright it was blinding.
It was hard to take pictures facing the sun.😙☀️
I tried to take photos with my big camera, but it had a telephoto lens.
I was standing too close to the pictures with my big camera. I did take a few with my cell phone.
My daughter got some great shots with her new iPhone 6.
The Pirates were going from bar to bar, getting beer refills and chatting with customers.
Tomorrow was the big day. At 1 P.M., M, there was going to be a black-powder battler.
The woman who was telling me this was a pirate. Her captain was a woman, and everyone aboard her ship was, too.
After we finished eating and drinking, we walked up the street toward the pier.
By this time, it was very dark, and we could see people swimming in the ocean. 🌌
I stopped to take pictures, and my granddaughter and her group disappeared.
My daughter and I stopped to watch a little girl dance, then my daughter went to the restroom.
I took a picture of a group of pirates with this disabled boy and his mother, using my cell phone.
My daughter said that if we were going to stay, we needed to put more money in the parking meter, but by the time we arrived at the car, we were both hot and sweaty, so we decided to leave.
We stopped at Walmart to return the two movies, but we had only watched one. We watched the last Robin Williams film. It was a very dark film; I did not enjoy it.
We stopped at Chick-fil-A for ice cream.
My daughter ordered a kid's grilled chicken meal, and it came with ice cream.
It had been a long day, and I watched TV until I fell asleep. 📺
It was late when my daughter went to bed.
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| Iguana |
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| Attending the Pirate Festival |
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| Pirates festival |
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| Famous Dave's |
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| Mound House Estero Island & Fort Myers Beach, FL |
