(4) Who needs the History Channel?

The last 2 days have been quite fulfilling as Grandpa Jack and I have been taking museum tours. Who needs the damn History Channel to get a good dose of nostalgia when there are so many pieces of history closer than you might imagine! Documentaries don't hold a candle to getting out and experiencing the real thing...

It started yesterday with a trip to the Collier County Museum next to the old WalMart here in Naples. This museum covered the history of the land now known as Collier County from the time of the Seminole Indians to the saga of Mr. Barron Gift Collier who purchased the land and planted the seed which has grown and blossomed to what is here today. Going back to the earliest period exhibited, the museum offers a host of knowledge and artifacts about extinct native animals that once roamed the thick forest of the land. There are bones and full skeletons of extinct birds, reptiles, and mammals that are quite intriguing to see. The next era covers the history of the old pirates that once sailed the ocean and backwaters, and then on the the Seminole Indians who were forced south out of Georgia by the white man. Well, I guess there was no stopping the white man, because eventually the pioneer settlers worked there way down into Florida. Much of the war between the Union and the Seminoles is covered here as well, with plenty of tangible relics to boot. On comes the purchase of the land by Mr. Collier, who completed the task of cutting through the thick cypress forestry and paving the way from Ft. Meyers to Naples, now known as US 41, which runs all the way north to Terre Haute Indiana (where I went to college) and beyond. A railroad was also built into Naples, which is well documented and displayed in the museum as well. (See my earlier blog about the old Naples railroad station museum) Just when you think things are getting good, you walk outside and see an all-inclusive trail with many of the large historical pieces from the stories you read inside. The Orange Blossom Special locomotive is parked outside on display, along with many of the areas native trees, plants, and flowers. A mock Union fort and Seminole reservation are set up to give you a feel of the olden days and battlements. A veterans memorial with an old fighting tank is also on display.

All-in-all it was a very pleasurable way to spend a couple hours in the sunny weather. Best of all, it doesn't cost you a dime to enjoy this experience, although there is a donation box if you feel compelled. If you are in the Naples area, be sure to stop by!

Today, we milled around the motorhome in the morning until about 1030. At that time we met up with Bob, and a new fella named 'Chick', for this weeks Marine Corp League luncheon at the Bay Front restaurant. Chick had never been before, but he was in the marines in 1947, wounded in the Korean War, and spent some time in Japan. This is after he served with the Army Paratroopers in 1946. It was certainly my pleasure, and an honor, to get to meet him. We had a good lunch, shared some good stories and discussions until around 1pm. We dropped off Chick and Bob at their motorhomes in Silver Lake, and then prepared for our 40 minute haul to Ft Myers.

Onstar led us in to Ft Myers to the winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The two were great friends and inspirations to eachother, so they purchased lots side-by-side right by the ocean for their winter homes. Thomas Edison had a very elaborate estate with a beautiful home, guest house, caretakers house, separate office building, 1500 foot pier, and beautiful landscaping. He even had a lab and botanical garden across the street. Henry Ford also had a beautiful estate, although a bit more modest. He had a nice home with a guesthouse and butler quarters. The Ford home was under renovation, so we weren't able to get a close view of the interior, but you aren't allowed in the homes anyhow. The Edison home is opened up at all the entrances, with plexiglass half-barriers to allow you to look in. It was very stunning.

Across the street in the museum housed a monstrous multi-room display of Edison's inventions and consumer products ranging from the first breat toaster to the fluoroscope (x-ray machine). It is mind blowing to think that one man had this many useful, and later successful, ideas in his head. Pure genious. There was also a tour of Edison's lab, left just the way he had it when he died. Ford also had many exhibitions of his modernization of the mass produced motor vehicle. Model T's were on display, along with an engine outside of the car. There was even a 1940's Ford Business Coupe on display, along with a 55 minute videography of Ford's life. Admission was $20 for adults, but active military gets in free, and their guests get in for half price. So we got a real steal getting in for $10 total, plus they gave Grandpa a ticket for a free admission in the future! There is so much to take in, and we probably could have made an entire day out it, but we were wanting to sneak in a visit to Paige Field Airfield for a display of World War II aircraft. We left the museum around 4pm and headed for the airfield, OnStar guided of course.

Once we arrived at the airfield, we stopped by a maintenance hangar and asked a technician where the 'warbirds' were, as Grandpa phrased it. The fella informed us that they had just left earlier in the day for Sarasota, so we just missed out. We were a little disappointed, but we still had a great time at the museum. We stopped by the Bass Tracker boat store that was also a Bass Pro Shop and Camping World, and then milled around Ron Jon's Surf Shop, before heading back for Silver Lakes.

I've got one more full day of paradise, and then I'm 'back in the freezer' as Grandpa likes to say. Its getting late so I'm calling this blog to a close.
Until next time...