Fort Myers

January 9 … The highlight of the day was a visit to the Edison-Ford Lab and Museum (both had winter homes in Fort Myers). We learned that Thomas A. Edison had patented 1,097 inventions. Some of the more well known ones were the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, moving picture camera and storage batteries. The chemical laboratory is one of the most absorbing features of the Edison Estate. Here, workers helped Edison in his research on goldenrod as a source of natural rubber. Throughout the laboratory, where Edison conducted his last major experiments, all of his things are just as they were in his lifetime, including his "cat-nap" cot. Because of his deafness, Edison's sleep was undisturbed and relaxed him so much that 15 minute sleep to him was as good as is several hours to anyone else.
When the price of rubber soared in the late 1920’s, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone combined their efforts, talents and finances in search of a natural source for rubber. Together they established the Edison Botanic Research Company. Extensive research proved Goldenrod, a common weed growing to an average height of 3-4 feet, produced 5% yield of latex. Through hybridization, Edison produced Goldenrod in excess of 12 feet, yielding 12% latex.
January 8 … Walked in the a.m. and to Walmart that afternoon.
January 7 … On tap today was the beach, specifically, Lovers Key-Carl E. Johnson State Park in Ft. Myers. In the early 1900s the islands were accessible only by boat. It was said that only lovers made the effort to get to this romantic island - thus the name Lovers Key. A road to the island was built in 1965. This large park between Fort Myers and Naples is comprised of four barrier islands - Lovers Key, Inner Key, Black Island and Long Key. It contains 2.5 miles of white sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Although the weather wasn’t perfect, clouds and light showers, it was still a great day to be outside and on the beach.
January 6 … We went to a Manatee Park today but, unfortunately, there were no Manatees to be found. The reason; the weather has been too warm so they have no reason to leave the Gulf. Manatees come to this park during the winter months when the water temp of the Gulf of Mexico and rivers drops below 68 degrees. The endangered Florida manatee then seeks refuge from the cold waters by swimming into the Florida Power and Light warm water discharge canal. This sanctuary provides a winter haven for these warm-blooded native mammals that live, feed and raise their young year round in the fresh, brackish or saltwater costal areas of Florida.
January 5 … Took a long bike ride this morning; probably 6 miles or so. We rode into a gated housing addition and asked the guard if we could ride through. She said ok and suggested we visit the models and directed us how to get to them. We went into one of them and needless to say, it was awesome. It was about 2700 sq ft; had high ceilings and opened out to a screened in pool and hot tub. It was just down the street from a golf course. We tried to not look shocked when the sales lady informed us of the 1.4 million dollar price tag. Later, the rv park was having a pool party so we had lunch and listened to a very good husband-wife duo sing a variety of music.
January 4 … Beautiful Sanibel Island was on the agenda today. With the weather being just about perfect at 75 degrees, low humidity and wind, we made the short drive over. We continued on to Captiva Island as well where we walked pristine beaches where lots of people were sun bathing, fishing and parasailing.
January 3 … Cranked up the house before 0700 this morning in order to be at the Freightliner center early for a warranty recall item. (Our neighbors musta loved us) The mh work was completed by 1000 but we couldn’t check in to our next park until 1300 so we drove to a local Walmart and did some shopping and then had lunch. The park is just off busy Hwy 41 in Fort Myers and seems to have a lot of “snowbirds” from the NE and Canada. The park is ok because it has 50 amp service and we get the satellite feed. Only down side is that we don’t get our internet connection from our t-mobile wireless card. Oh well, there’s a library close by I’m sure.