Kelsey Kimberlin spends #23 in Fort Myers FL


 Our daughter Kelsey took a few well deserved days off from work and traveled to see us in Fort Myers for her 23rd birthday and we met her at the gate. We hadn't seen her since Christmas time!



The evening of her birthday we took her to The Firestone Rooftop Bar in downtown Fort Myers just a couple of blocks from our marina.  Although it was a brisk day the view and company were delightful and Kelsey talked nonstop to fill us in with the goings on in her life.


The following day we went to the Six Mile Cypress Slough where we could possibly see alligators, many types of birds, wild pigs, snakes, and otters.  You walk along a boardwalk through the wetlands.  Since FL hasn't had much rain this winter or spring the slough wasn't too wet.  





Searching for wildlife!


We also went to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.  They had a historical museum, botanical garden and tours of both their winter homes. 


These two vehicles actually run and are taken out periodically.



The photo above is Ford's home and Edison's is in the background.


A better view of the front of Edison's home in the pics above and below. Edison, of course, had a laboratory on his property. When he died, he was in the process of searching for suitable plants from which to extract rubber.

He also planted rows of Royal Palm trees in front of his house stretching for two miles. The city continued that effort and extended the trees all the way to Fort Myers Beach (about 15 miles). And thus the city earned its moniker "The City of Palms."


The following day we went to Sanibel Island since the weather warmed up a bit.  We started out at the Lighthouse Café for the "best breakfast in the world".  It actually is really delicious!



Our next stop was Bowditch Beach which is on the Gulf side of the island and as you can see the water was absolutely stunning!  We went shelling and found some of the most interesting shells.  Be sure to watch the video.  Kelsey picked up the clam and said "I have never picked one up that had two sides before." Little did we know that when we got back to our beach towels it was still very much alive.  After it's photo op we took it back to the water.









These guys were hanging out down the road in a small shopping complex where we stopped for ice cream.



On Kelsey's last morning we had to go get donuts from Bennett's which was right across from the marina.  I don't think we really needed a half dozen but....


Took one last stroll downtown before sadly taking her to the airport.  Brent had his Texas Tech shirt on to celebrate the men's basketball win to make it into the Elite Eight!!


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