This past week, we drove to Fort Myers where I was invited to speak at the Southwest Florida Museum of History. We headed west along Alligator Alley, which started as a two-lane road known for its fatal accidents when we first moved to the area. Now it’s a divided four-lane highway, bordered by canals on each side and cutting a swathe through the Florida Everglades.

This being migratory bird season, we saw loads of birds in all varieties, plus a plethora of alligators. The gators were too numerous to count, sunning themselves along the bank and others with their snouts poking up from the water. Thankfully, a wire fence borders the highway, keeping the critters away from the road.

Our next stop was Miromar Outlets just north of Naples off I-75. I splurged on an Ellen Tracy outfit at the Saks Fifth Avenue outlet which made up for my lack of shopping in the past couple of weeks. Now I just need enough occasions to wear it. I love the hot pink blazer, matching shell, and silky skirt.

We checked in at the Best Western Waterfront Hotel in Fort Myers overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. Luckily for us, this hotel had two restaurants adjacent: IHOP where we could go for breakfast, and an open-air seafood restaurant called Pinchers. I wasn’t overly hungry, so I had a cup of clam chowder and a shrimp cocktail, while my husband ate crab cakes. Then I got dressed up and we headed off for my speaking engagement.

Located at 2300 Peck Street, Fort Myers, FL, the Southwest Florida Museum of History is housed in a former railroad depot. The building contains a fascinating warren of rooms along with authentic flooring and benches left over from its days as a train station. Displays are wonderfully evocative of the era and include a chickie hut, a replica of a pioneer cracker house, a 1929 private Pullman railcar, a 1926 fire engine, plus many artifacts and a depression glass exhibit. Native Americans, early settlements, the military fort, wars and industry and agriculture are all represented. If you’re in the area, put this on your Must See list.

The museum members were very welcoming and even had a cake made with my book title. They have these author events every month and serve wine and refreshments. I was very honored to be invited as their speaker and met some lovely people.

                         Cake                                                           Nancy speaking to group

     Nancy meeting fans and signing books

Early the next morning, we decided to stroll around the Farmers Market near Centennial Park. Fruits and vegetables abound at this local event, but since we weren’t going directly home, we couldn’t buy anything. We headed over toward the Edison & Ford Winter Estates for our next journey of discovery. Set on acres of tropical grounds, these were the homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford during their winter retreat. We viewed the well-preserved rooms inside each lodge; strolled among the beautifully landscaped grounds full of exotic trees and plants including a Champion Banyan Tree; viewed the riverside pier and enjoyed the riverfront ambiance; peeked at the outdoor pool, gardens, and outbuildings; browsed in the gift shop; and ate lunch at the café under the shade of a fig tree. It was a delightful morning in a peaceful part of old Florida.