Meandering Magees: Ft. Myers

Sunday, December 10, 2017
Day 252

Thomas Edison said "There is only one Ft. Myers, and 90 million people are going to find it out." Count us as two of those 90 million. We loved Ft. Myers!

It is a combination of several things.
One - a really nice marina. Our only complaint about Legacy Harbour Marina is our slip was as far away from the front as you can get. About 1000 steps. But it really isn't a negative as we need the exercise!

Two - a great location. Two blocks west is a Publix grocery store. We are atypical Loopers in that when in Florida we have our car. Most transient boaters don't, so being able to get provisions nearby is a big plus. Six blocks west are the Edison-Ford winter estates, a major tourist attraction. Thomas Edison first visited Ft. Myers in 1885 and bought 13 acres along the Caloosahatchee River. In 1886 he built a home for himself, an identical home for his friend and business partner, Ezra Gilliland, and an electrical laboratory. Two years later, after a business dispute, Gilliland sold his home and Edison purchased it in 1906 and used it as a guest house, which is how it is referred to today. Edison's wife Mina named their home Seminole Lodge. In 1914, Henry and Clara Ford visited Ft. Myers as guests of the Edison's. Two years later, Ford bought the estate adjacent to Seminole Lodge to spend winters with his friend and mentor. The Ford home is called The Mangoes. In 1928, Henry Ford established a living history area in Dearborn, Michigan. He had Edison's Ft. Myers laboratory dismantled and reassembled in Greenfield Village, where it can be seen today. After the death of her husband, Mina Edison deeded their estate to the city of Ft. Myers. Henry Ford sold The Mangoes to a local resident in 1945. In 1988, the city purchased the Ford estate and opened it to the public.
I had taken the tour of the estate years ago so didn't this time, but walked to take pictures. Over 100 trees on the grounds were lost to Hurricane Irma. But still standing is the third largest banyan tree in the world, which Edison planted in the late 1920's.

Back to location - two blocks east is a park and a block further is downtown Fr. Myers, which we found to be filled with unique shops, restaurants and an art center. We learned that this area wasn't always so welcoming, and it has been a 20+ year transformation to the vibrant area that it is today.

Three - other Loopers! Ft. Myers is a popular stop on the Loop as it has 3 marinas within a mile. Jim and Mandy on Shell Belle spent 2 months at Legacy last winter so knew their way around. We enjoyed a fun afternoon together at Ft. Myers Beach. There is only one bridge over to the beach area and traffic can get really backed up, but the time and effort is worth it when you get there. It was a nostalgic trek for Mike as his maternal grandparents wintered in Ft. Myers for years.
On Monday, Observer, another Loop boat arrived. We first met Tim and Alice and their dog Millie when they stopped at our marina in Ludington this summer. Tuesday brought a grand celebration as AC and Jim Stebel on Hour Plan crossed their wake at Legacy Marina. We met them last winter in Marathon and stayed in contact, including their stop in Ludington in August. We didn't wait for Champagne Sunday to break out the bubbly as 4 couples toasted AC and Jim on the completion of their Loop. It was our first time to be with a fellow boater to celebrate this amazing accomplishment. Also in our group was Paige and Mike on Golden who fly a platinum flag as they have done the Loop twice!
Over 70 boats on the Loop came to Ludington this summer, and now that we are back in the water and they have made the trip down the inland rivers, we are starting to meet up with each other. Two other boats from that group joined us on Thursday when Mike barbecued for the 14 of us. I have to mention Mike and Tammi from Ned Pepper as their last name is Magee!

Since being back on the boat, we have also seen friends on land as we've had dinner with Mike and Pat Kowatch at their home in Largo and lunch with Loren and Marilyn Adgate.

Saturday brought a change of guard on True North. Greg flew in with friends Ron, Dennis and Mike. They will leave Ft Myers on Monday and take the boat to Marathon, back to our same marina and same slip as last winter. They will spend a week fishing in the Keys.
Mike and I drove to Jeff and Julie's in Tarpon Springs on Saturday. Several months ago, when looking at the schedule for the Detroit Lions, I saw they were going to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa while we were in Florida. 13 other family and friends joined in on my Christmas present as we watched the Lions squeak out a victory on Sunday! It was simply, a wonderful day.

Mike and I fly home on Monday morning and will celebrate Christmas with our kids (except Matt who is here in Florida and can't get away) and grandkids next weekend. We hear we are in for snow, which is ok by me. We will return to the Tampa airport on December 20th and drive down to Marathon to settle in for another winter at Marathon Marina.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. There is a reason for the season, and His name is Jesus.