Christmas Lights

Edison Pier
Edison Winter Estate
Last night, I went with my mom & her friends to look at Christmas lights. Growing up in Maine, it was always a pastime to go up to Biddeford drive around & look at the lights. However, since I'm in Florida, driving around in the snow wasn't in the cards to look at the lights, instead my adventure took me to Ft. Myers to Edison & Ford Winter Estates.  The estates cost $15 to get in which included access to the Estate Museum & both the Edison & Ford Estates across the street on the Caloosahtachee River. It's probably the only part of the city of Ft. Myers that I actually enjoyed.  It's not like Sarasota which has a good vibe to it. The city itself doesn't really have a good vibe to it for me & I basically go there to go to the airport (RSW, the airport code for Ft. Myers). However, I found out last night that Edison & Ford were very good friends.  Thomas Edison purchased his property in 1885, he made a pencil sketch of his vision that soon became a reality for him.  The lumber for the two post-and-beam houses came from Maine & transported to Ft. Myers by ship.  I noticed that the houses had a New England architectural charm to them with huge porches & high ceilings. The Edison family enjoyed leisurely stays at the Winter Home up until 1947 when Mina deeded Seminole Lodge to to the City of Ft. Myers for $1. Henry Ford purchased his property in 1916 that gave him a reason & opportunity to holiday with his friend Thomas Edison.  He only used his house two weeks out the year. The good friends enjoyed spending time with their families enjoying exploring Southwest Florida, fishing, boating & dancing.  Both houses are quite charming to walk around & to explore. The gardens are very impressive with giant banyan trees, orchids & mangoes to name a few of the species. December is a charming month to visit the estates with all of the festive lights, Christmas trees & many decorations. Definitely an enjoyable evening to walk around & to be all festive with lights.


Popular Posts