Fort Myers Festive and Fun

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We will be here in Cypress Woods Park, Fort Myers for about a week, and then fly home for Christmas. There is something about Floridians - native or transplants - that makes them love to decorate for Christmas. We have never seen so many beautiful lights and displays; both on public buildings and at private homes, and on boats, and outlining RV awnings! Last night we decided to try Fort Myers Beach - which held true to our previous image that it is a bit of glitz filled with tee-shirt shops on a nice beach. That is until we walked to the far end of Old San Carlos Street to the inland side of the island. There were several marinas and restaurants including a nice waterfront restaurant, Mantanza’s. We happened upon the end of a very fun and colorful lighted boat parade, even the boats not in the parade had their masts decorated as they sat at dock. Mantanza’s seemed to be “Parade Central” and most of the boaters came back for an awards ceremony and warming spirits. As if that wasn’t enough of a great light display, we headed toward Fort Myers and were totally amazed by both the private homes and especially the grand illumination at the Edison Museum - really stupendous. Earlier in the day we started by picking up the rental car, visiting a large flea market just outside of Fort Myers, and then doing laundry while sunning and using the hot tub - the temp is in the mid 70s with a breeze.
About the Flea Market - well we had never been to one like this - it was a combination farmer’s market, collection of “permanent” inside booths with a diverse collection of “new” tools, boots, shoes, clothing, general merchandise, and the works of starving artists; and outside - groups of three and four generations of people with their open trunks, tail gates and beach blankets covered with all sorts of garage sale type junque.

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Photos

Edison Display
Every tree on both sides of the street in front of the Edison Museum and Home is fully decorated. Really awesome!

Wearing Folk Art
This jolly flea market vendor was wearing a humorous hat and sun glasses with a tropical theme. "I want to make people smile; to cheer them," she said. She seems to be fulfilling her goal.