Fort Meyers, Captiva Island and Sanibel - back to Fort Meyers

Ed and Heather arrived Sunday at the Marina at Edison Ford in Fort Meyers. Thanks to Hazel, Heather's mom, for picking them up at the airport and delivering them. We ate an early dinner at Pinchers and then took a walk around the Edison Ford Winter Estates, a Florida Heritage Landmark Site. 

Thomas Edison purchased his land in 1885 for a place to relax and spend the winter. Automobile magnate Henry Ford developed a deep friendship with Edison that began when Ford started working for Detroit Edison Illuminating Company in 1890. After the Ford family visited Edison in 1914, they purchased the property next door.  In 1947, Mina Edison deeded her beloved home to the city of Fort Meyers, and it opened to the public in November of that year.  In 1988, the Ford estate was sold to the city and after two years restoration, was open to the public.

On Monday we motored over to Captiva and docked at Tween Waters Island Resort and Spa!  What a find that was!  We secured Cady Girl, then walked across the street to the Gulf and beautiful clear green water.  After beaching it for a while we went to the pool, had a refreshing drink and hung out! We celebrated Cinco de Mayo early by having margaritas and Taco salad for dinner.  We got up early on Tuesday and rode the "free" bikes to the north end of the island - a 3-mile round trip.

Tuesday, we motored back to Sanibel Marina. It was DOLPHIN time.  We had several groups of dolphins surfing our wake for about 10 minutes.  What fun - they are so playful.  Sometimes they turn and look right up at you.  They surfed our bow wake and the side wake! 

We docked for the night and then took the tender over to the Gulf and the Sanibel lighthouse.  Anchored the tender and walked the beach and swam, of course.

That night we dined at "Grandma Dots," then walked the marina and enjoyed a beautiful red sunset while sitting on the front deck of Cady Girl.

Today we motored to Gulf Harbor in Fort Meyers and sadly, Ed and Heather left us. 🥹 Their driver, Hazel picked them up! 

They were great ship mates! 

Tomorrow, we start our trek through the Caloosahatchee River and Lake Okeechobee the headwaters of the Everglades.  Okeechobee is from the Seminole meaning "Big Water."

Hazel & the Wiggs
Plant in garden at Edison Ford Estates


Banyon Tree at Edison Ford Garden 

Free bikes
Marina and spa complex
Bathing beauty Heather
The boys and the umbrella
The beach
Walking to the beach
Ed & Heather

The crew
The dolphins
Map of where we were
In the dinghy
Boys on the beach
Sunset last night
Mini island with Flag























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