The Whispering Giant Calostimucu is an art piece carved from a 20 foot Enterolobium Cyclocarpum…read moretree known as the elephant ear or monkey pod tree. The tree is said to be similar to mahogany. The piece was commissioned in 1974 by Fred Babcock who owned the Holiday Inn. He discovered the tree damaged by lightning on his land in 1973 and he had seen Hungarian artist Peter Wolf Toth's work in Georgia. Toth had experienced repression in his native country and was shuttled among various refuge camps. When he immigrated to Ohio he became interested in Native American culture because he saw a parallel in the way they were treated and what he experienced. Toth traveled the country over 20 years and donated at least one work in each state and two in Canada. His first carving was a stone Native American head in a cliff in La Jolla California in 1972. After that he switched from stone to wood. His last carving was number 58 in May of 1988 in Haleiwa, Hawaii. The collection of large works is called the Trail of Whispering Giants. According to Toth "The statue is not just to honor Native Americans; it's to represent all people who have suffered injustices." The carving took three months to make and it sits in front of the historic A.C. Freeman House. It originally resided in front of the Best Western, previously the Holiday Inn until Hurricane Charley in 2004 damaged much of the hotel. The carving includes the emerging dream of a dying bison on it's back coming out of the top and eagle with a broken wing meant to represent the prejudice and injustice Native people have faced. The sculpture also features the faces of a Native American man and woman. It was Toth's tenth piece and the only one to feature two faces. The artwork was first dedicated in 1974. It was rededicated on January 20, 2006 and a time capsule was buried at the base.

This piece of public art for display is really cool! Directions tell you to pull into the parking…read morelot behind the Italian restaurant and if you can't find it the artwork is on the corner by the road in front of the yellow house behind the restaurant.

We went to this event on 11.21.10 and went again today (11.18.12). It is still just as good, and…read moreperhaps even better. We tried Pastrami on Rye ($3), Prime Rib Sliders ($2), Shrimp cocktail with lots of shrimp ($2), 4 yummy BBQ ribs ($3), and maybe some other stuff, then proceeded to waddle home. This year there were only locally owned "mom & pop" restaurants allowed to participate and that proved to be a big plus.This continues to be the best "taste" event in the area that we have been able to find. Burp.

Taste of Bonita is one of the biggest events in the area. It welcomes back the seasonal residents…read moreand introduces them to new restaurants and brings them back in touch with old favorites. The festival is usually the 3rd Sunday in November and is hosted by Bonita Springs Rotary Noon. The official website is www.TasteOfBonita.com

Thirsty? Well you've come to the right place where it will not only leave you feeling hydrated but…read moreyou'll be glowing too! So this is one of those things that the citizens fought to be saved back when the government decided to put the clean water act in and for good reason they did fight as this water is the most delicious sulfur rotten eggs tasting and smelling thing you could ever hope to drink! So I did take a sip and it really is that taste amplified I instantly spit it out it was just sooo bad but in the end I'm glad I tried it because it's not everyday you get to have a sip from The Fountain Of Youth! Overall something that most people would overlook but let's just say it was fun to visit and not so much to drink especially with the spider that came out in my cup! Stay hydrated my friends!

Youth? Radioactivity? If that sounds like something your interested in, definitely gotta stop by!…read moreThis place is very interesting. I always love a random little find during my adventures. As for the actual water it smells like rotten eggs and sulfur. I don't know if those are the keys to youth but give it a try if you're brave enough!

FMB, where do I start?…read more You don't realize how big the area is, until you drive from one end of Estero Blvd to the other (and end up in another city at the end). It's a beautiful stretch of pavement with lots to see - the water, the sand, the shops, and for those who like to be social, watch the people. Parking is literally every few feet, although many lots have metered parking.

If you're visiting Pine Island this is one of two places you must visit if you want to explore the…read moreentire island - sitting on the most southern point it's a quaint little village that is laid back and for all accounts there's not much going on here and that's just how the residents like it, since you definitely don't get here by accident. We were out for the day exploring the area so it made no sense not to stop in St. James City, the road onto Pine Island is almost dead center of the island so you take a left to get here or take a right to explore Bokeelia on the opposite end of the island. We enjoyed checking out the bay where the road ends and when I say ends if you ignore the signage you can drive right into the water. It's a beautiful area and seems to be coming back stronger than ever after the most recent hurricanes although there are still a few blue tarps on some of the roofs the recovery is well underway, it's worth the drive to experience this place if only for a short visit...

Sequestered on Pine Island at the southern most point...amongst the fragrant pine trees, thick…read moremangroves and bountiful mango orchards...you'll encounter the small town charm of St. James City. This colorful, sleepy little town rich in history is only 2 miles wide and 17 miles long, but you will find plenty of things to discover and explore. Visitors to the Island will uncover a unique mix of waterfront dining, distinct boutiques & shops, comfortable accommodations and an array of outdoor activities including kayaking tours, nature preserves, fishing charters and airboat excursions. I delved into the Galt Preserve where I conquered the lush walking trails, while enjoying scenic views of the shimmering water, wild hogs and indigenous Florida birds. Embark on an adventure or just seek out relaxation...either way...just delight in the picturesque landscape of this tropical paradise.

The River District in downtown Fort Myers has an old southern town comfort feel. Kinda like a one…read morecop town with a heavy artsy historic influence. My visit to this area (on First Street) I came here with a buddy and went to the Ford's Garage restaurant which was a perfect addition to the district with it's 1920s theme. This River District is an easy walkable area with corporate businesses, arts & cultural and restaurants.

We love Fort Myers. It is where you go when you want to live a college lifestyle again. Great…read moremusic, friendly people, reasonable parking rates. Constant events especially by the waterfront.

We were excited to return to the island after more than ten years. We used to visit over…read moreThanksgiving, then there was Covid, and Hurricane Ian. We were looking forward to being supportive of all the businesses that were able to rebuild and/or bounce back after the devastation. We came to celebrate my husband's birthday -- an annual "island" trip. We trekked around a bit -- toured the Shell Museum, some beaches and parks, did the Ding Darling drive through, collected shells on the beach, enjoyed the pool and hot tub at the hotel. We browsed in the shops. Gazed at the lighthouse; ate some great lunches (Lazy Flamingo; Mudbugs); Trekked to Captiva to lunch at the revamped Mucky Duck; Had two amazing dinners (Bleu Rendezvous; Old Captiva House) plus two good ones. And relaxed and rested and refreshed. Sanibel was a perfect vacation. Small enough to easily navigate the island without getting lost. We missed some of our old haunts (like the Island Cow and the Mad Hatter); the thrift shops (like Goodwill); and balked at the high price of t-shirts, etc. But overall we were thrilled to see all the redevelopment and new land preservation areas. Can't wait to return again...

I loved this signage driving across Sanibel Island along the Sanibel Captiva Road. I can't make up…read morethe signs tortoise and then owl crossing. I pulled over on the side of the road to take pictures and to look

Such a great community event! Truly loved seeing the local vendors, restaurants, musicians and…read morecommunity members come together for this inaugural event. I hope this continues into the future.

I was born in Naples, I've lived almost every year of my life here since Nixon was President. The…read morehouse I grew up in backs up to Goodlette Road, and I'm old enough to remember the trains rolling behind our house frequently and learned how to count by the number of cars on the trains. I also remember when Goodlette Road stopped at Pine Ridge, and there were these strange concrete pilings at the corner of both roads and where the train tracks continued north past Pine Ridge Road. We never really knew their meaning or their purpose when we were kids because there was nothing there to explain what they were. I only learned about their meaning over the past 20 years. As Naples has grown over the past 5 decades, I know I'm not the only one who has forgotten about Plot N the thousands of times I've driven by it in my lifetime. I'm ashamed to say it. I won't forget now, and I'm definitely going to be telling more people about it. Today, I finally took some time to come back here and pay my respects to these forgotten souls. I was pleasantly surprised to see a dedicated plaque from a local Boy Scout Troop explaining the history and significance of Plot N. There are 8 new, beautiful markers that say "Rest In Peace" on each one. The entire area looks well managed with new landscaping. The Troop who rededicated this plot needs to be commended for preserving and honoring these original Neapolitans who richly deserve to be remembered. I hope they put another sign on the opposite side of the post that faces the parking lot for South Street so more people would be aware of what is there. I'd bet 99% of people who shop in this plaza have no idea of the significance of this little strip of land. If you've lived in Naples for a significant amount of time, I'd recommend everyone take a moment to visit.

Plot N is a quirky part of Naples history. At the corner of Pine Ridge and Goodlette-Frank roads…read moreare four concrete posts that are the site of 8 graves. A map from 1944 that plots out where graves are located has this spot labeled as labeled 'Plot N 8 Negro Graves Unmarked'. In the 1930's Naples was home to less than 3,000 people. Most of the people who came to Naples were wealthy snowbirds from the north. Only a few people lived here year round. It is believed that the people buried here were involved in the building of the railroad. Naples like all of Florida was segregated. African-Americans of the time worked as laborers laying the railroad tracks, logging, farming and domestic work. A train used to run where Goodlette-Frank road is today which is why it is thought that the people buried here had something to do with the railroad. It is believed that people who are buried were possibly killed while working on the railroad. With no permanent records it is unlikely that the mystery of who is buried here will ever be solved. Another site listed as plot W was paved over before any examination for graves was ever done. Plot B is the Rosemary Cemetery which has a wrought iron fence around it and is in the parking lot of a CVS. The city restored that site in the mid nineties. Paved over and lost graves is not an unusual story in Florida. As cities grew they weren't always precise in moving graves before building. Unless someone can find documentation or do ground penetrating radar, how many people are here and who they were will remain a secret.