#74 Mar 2015 Ft Myers (Edison, Ford and Sea Shells)

It was now time to explore more of Florida, starting in Ft Myers.

We had heard about the seashell collecting opportunities on Sanibel Island near Ft Myers. It was still Spring Break and beaches were very busy, however, not everyone was looking for the sun and sand. Were the fisherman and the fishing egret looking for the same fish?

We intended to get an early start at the beach but by the time we made our way through the traffic it was 10 AM and 28*C in the shade.

Ralph tolerates the heat very well. I do not but with a big broad brimmed hat I was determined to find some nice shells. We found some unbroken and colourful shells but mostly browsed the sand.

The beach scenery was colourful and entertaining.

On a beautiful sunny day it is easy to forget the potential dangers near the water. There are many signs warning beachgoers to be alert and look around.

Captiva Island is just north of Sanibel Island and is very lush and less busy. The shell hunting seemed about the same but we were not being very diligent about our searching.

The Sanibel Lighthouse is a different type of structure than we have seen before.

As we walked toward the Lighthouse there was a gopher tortoise scurrying across the parking lot. Tortoises are reputed to be slow but this one was on a mission. I had to walk quickly to get ahead of him for a photo.

We always find unexpected points of interest when we arrive in a new location. This time it was the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Winter Homes Museum. In 1885 Edison stated “there is only one Fort Myers and soon 90 million Americans will discover it” and they certainly have.

His estate is very serene and inviting on the Caloosahatchee River.

White ibis add to the color.

Edison is best known for his invention of the first commercially viable electric light bulb. The chandeliers in his winter home display the lights.

His phonograph invention was an entertainment highlight in his home.

Henry Ford was among the many distinguished visitors to the Edison home. Ford purchased a home adjacent to Edison’s and together they explored southwest Florida in the 1916 Model T Touring car Ford gave to Edison.

In 1929 the new Model A was introduced with many improvements. One in particular moved the gas tank from under the front seat to under the hood, where it sat 18 inches higher than before. Previously, gas was gravity fed and when driving uphill, the car would stop because the gas had drained away from the engine. To prevent this from happening, drivers had to drive in reverse. A law eventually went into effect in Pennsylvania that the car going backwards uphill had the right-of-way.

Spanish Moss on live oak trees is very prevalent in Florida. The Spanish Moss appears soft and fluffy. It would seem to be a great stuffing for seat cushions in Ford automobiles. Unfortunately, there are tiny insects called chiggers that live in the Spanish Moss. That led to the first Ford recall.

Edison and Ford enjoyed one another’s company and stimulating conversations in many places and times. It was enlightening to see the personal and family perspective as well as the public side of these two inventors extraordinaire.