We traveled across Florida from east to west on Route 75, known as Alligator Alley, on our way to Sanibel Island. Leaving Boca Raton at 10 am, we expected an easy 2 1/2 hour drive to Sanibel Island but that was not to be. A terrible accident with fatality closed the freeway and the only option was to drive back to Boca, drive further south and then across the state of Florida. After waiting for 2 hours at the accident site, we turned around and gritted our teeth for the long haul. Finally at 6:30 pm, we rolled into the Marriott Hotel at the causeway to Sanibel Island. Booking dot YEAH! We love the hotel, and they upgraded us to a water view on the 8th floor!

We're here for 5 nights, so we're taking it slow and easy . In the last couple days we've rented bikes twice and rode all over Sanibel Island. We've stopped at several beaches that are covered with shells and picked up a few beauties for ourselves. Sanibel is known for the many shells that wash up on the beaches, so I couldn't resist doing the "Sanibel Stoop" and picking up some pretty shells to bring home. We sit on the balcony and watch the boats go by, and even saw a dolphin playing in the bay today. We're relaxing, watching movies and reading, too. We've eaten at several restaurants and visited the local grocery for a few snacks and staples. One day was overcast, cold and windy, but the rest of our time the weather has been very nice with about 70 degrees and sunny.

Next we toured the Edison/Ford Estate in Ft Myers, Florida. Just over the causeway from Sanibel Island, Ft. Myers is a charming city known for its 12 miles of tall palm trees that line the main road going into and out of the city. The first palms were brought from Cuba and planted about 100 years ago by Thomas Edison when he bought acreage and built his summer retreat and laboratory in Ft. Myers. His good friend Henry Ford bought the house next door and they spent many summers here working and playing. The estate is an interesting glimpse into life at the turn of the century in Florida. Edison electrified his estate in the 1880's, 20 years before Ft. Myers had electricity, so the place was a working laboratory for his inventions. He drilled wells and put in pumps to bring running water and irrigation to the estate as well as built a swimming pool. All this was long before most people had indoor plumbing let alone electric lights. Enjoy the pics!

Next, we're traveling about 100 miles up the coast to St. Pete's Beach, so stay tuned!