Life In Bonita Springs

Pottery As Art in Bonita Springs, Florida | 148/365 Things to Do

If you’re in Downtown Bonita Springs, Florida  near Riverside Park you’re only going to be a block or so away from Pottery As Art.  Pottery As Art is a fun, festive store that offers a variety of items for both inside and outside of the home.  There are tons of unusual and kitschy items that you can’t find in a big box store.

On the inside of the store are all sorts of wall hangings, wind chimes,metal art and so much more.  The outside area hosts one of the largest collections of pottery and garden décor in the area.  There is literally every size and every color of pottery and flower pot made on earth.  It’s a very fun store to just stroll around if you are looking for fun things to do.  It would be a great place to get a special and unique gift for someone, especially a house warming gift.

To learn more, read also:  Mexican Pottery & Decor | Bonita Springs, Florida

Homer’s Annex Naples Florida | 147/365 Things to Do

If you’re a veteran or supporter of veterans there is a great place to join a meet up every Saturday in Naples, Florida. Homer’s Annex is a veteran’s based meetup that grew from the seed of friendships that were formed at the late Homer Helter’s Military Museum. 

When Homer passed his wife Diana eventually closed the antique mall and museum and many of the gentlemen who were regulars found themselves without a place to meet. A group of volunteers with a significant interest in veteran’s affairs created Gulf Coast Veterans and Friends and launched Homer’s Annex.  Homer’s Annex currently meets on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. at the fire station on Livingston Road just south of Bonita Beach Road.

No reservation is necessary but if you’d like to sponsor lunch (because food is provided to the veterans) you can reach out to Gulf Coast Veterans and Friends on Facebook to make arrangements with one of the staff members.

Homer’s Annex is set to change locations in the summer of 2019 so be sure to reach out for current meet up locations before attending.

Lunch at Buzz’s Lighthouse Naples | 146/365 Things to Do

If  you’re looking for a great, casual place to have a waterfront mean in Naples, Florida consider visiting Buzz’s Lighthouse.  Buzz’s Lighthouse is located in the Vanderbilt area of Naples, across the street from the beach and on the bay.

Menu items at Buzz’s Lighthouse includes a wide variety of seafood dishes plus a lot of food that would be considered pub fare. We had blackened grouper with baked potato and the clam strip basket.  We are only water drinkers but there were other in the proximity enjoying adult beverages. There is both indoor and outdoor seating available.  The restaurant would be an easy place to dine with kids because it’s casual and fun.

If you’re thinking of making a day of being at the beach you can park and go to the public access which is not too far away. Word of warning that parking at Buzz’s is limited so you may have to park and walk from around the corner.

Stroll Around Hyatt Coconut Point Hotel | 145/365 Things to Do

Summer time is the time that the locals take stay-cations at Hyatt Coconut Point Hotel.   Sometime it’s just a short trip for dinner and cocktail and other times it’s a weekend at the resort. If you are looking for things to do while you are in Bonita Springs this summer, consider a stay.

The main hotel offers beautiful pools, hammocks under coconut palm trees plus the first and also a recently water slide.  There’s tons of fun for everyone of every age range.  Pool side service is superb and you really do not ever have to leave the resort … unless you decide to take the water taxi to the beach!

The hotel even offers a trolley service to take you to the time-share side of the resort where there is a lazy river.  There is food/pool service at the pool and lazy river side, also.

We’ve taken our family to the Hyatt several times over the years.  Last summer we had a tropical storm roll through so it rained the weekend we were there. The resort organized all sorts of indoor activities for kids and adults to keep everyone occupied.  Our littles loved it.

If you go consider renting a cabana by the pool. It’s the best way to get shade and create a ‘home base’ when you have a lot of people, especially little people to keep an eye on.

Last but not least, there is a fire pit and marshmallow roasting so be sure to take a stroll after dark to get smores!

Lake Trafford Airboats And Alligators | 144/365 Things to Do

Lake Trafford Airboats And Alligators is just a short forty-five minute drive to from Bonita Springs, Florida.  Airboats and Alligators is one of the best adventures you can take in Southwest Florida. Simply put, it is an airboat ride on Lake Trafford.

What is unique about their rides is you go onto a 1,500 acre lake and basically circle the lake. This lake is also known as a very good inland fishing lake and you can also rent boats from the same company. No matter what time of year you go on their airboat tour you will see something different. The wildlife is ever changing with birds nesting, alligators nesting and alligators of all sizes; tiny alligators and a few monster gators. The wild flowers are absolutely amazing! The old marina itself is a also worth visiting as there are colorful birds all around in nice cages and a variety of reptiles and snakes on display.

There are a lot of fun things to do at Airboats and Alligators but reservations are highly recommended any time of year. They are located just outside Immokalee, FL at 6001 Lake Trafford Rd. Immokalee, FL 34142.

_______________________________________________

About the author: Melinda Cochran is photographer and Southwest Florida resident. You can find more of her images at: https://www.facebook.com/journeythroughmyeyes/.  If you know of a great place for Melinda to capture wildlife in action send a message in the comments section of this post.

See ‘The Pops’ at Artis Naples 143/365 Things to Do

Artis Naples hosts a huge variety of music, concerts and plays but one of the most popular events is seeing The Pops. The Pops concerts at Artis Naples are so enjoyable to watch because you’re in a theater where there simply isn’t a bad seat.  You’re up close and personal more so than at most theaters and halls in the area. 

The Pops concerts are usually themed, such as ‘Patriotic Pops’ and feature the orchestra, the choir and vocalists such as soprano, Lisa Vroman.  Artis Naples is located in Naples, Florida a few miles south of Bonita Springs.

If you are planning on coming to the SWFL area and are considering booking some entertainment visit the official website to find the schedule.  www.ArtisNaples.org

Read also:

Art in Public at Artis Naples | 137/365 Things to Do and

Art in Public at Artis Naples | 137/365 Things to Do

Mural Art in Public Places Bonita Springs, FL 142/365 Things to Do

There are a variety of places in town the the City of Bonita Springs has added local art work to.  The city has been adding quiet a lot of art in public places, especially in the revitalized Downtown Bonita Springs area.   Besides a few sculptures varying in medium/construction there are several fabulous murals very near to Riverside Park.

If you’re in for a walking tour it would be very easy to find murals on the side of Benson’s Grocery store, at the other end of that plaza, also.  In addition, there are murals at the old “corner store”, at Old 41 and Abernathy Street, which is also partly a utility building.  Also, across the street from Pottery as Art Store and beside Longitude on Hampton Street there is another great mural. 

If you were to take a walking tour you can make a pit stop at For Heaven’s Shakes ice cream … just a suggestion. Heaven’s Shakes is across the street from the fire station at the little roundabout. There is also a beautiful memorial mural of the 911 terrorist attacks on the side of the fire house.

Bonita artist Alex Nunez painted the mural on Bensons and the Centurylink building. 

Read also:  Art in Public at Artis Naples | 137/365 Things to Do

Picnic at the Historic Banyan Tree 141/365 Things to Do

Located in Downtown Bonita Springs, Florida is one of the SWFL area’s historic trees.   The tree is now protected so climbing on it is not permitted. Back in the day, however, the Griffith twins spent a fair share of time climbing The Banyan Tree.  I recall my daughter climbing to the end of one of the long, thick branches that grow parallel to the ground.  Nearing the end of the branch both she and a squirrel realized someone was in the other’s way.  The squirrel made a bold move to run past her on the limb.  Though she was easily ten feet off the ground my daughter jumped and gambled that I would catch her, which I did.

The Banyan Tree is now a protected tree and climbing is not permitted.  It is located on the corner of Old 41 Road and Reynolds Street, across the street from the band shell at Riverside Park.

Read also:  The Banyan Tree at Riverside Park in Old Bonita and The Tree by The Groves

Fishing the Sanibel Island Causeway 140/365 Things to Do

When you think of Florida, you may think of all the fishing that can be done on the coast. My Bonnita Springs based family enjoys fishing in their spare time. This last weekend my husband Jon and I took the kids to the Sanibel Causeway. Our son was so excited to fish all day.

When we go to the causeway, we typically park on the 2^nd island from the main land. That is the island that has the BBQ Grills and bathrooms. You are able to pull up right to the waters edge, and just enjoy the day in the sun.  There’s nothing more tropical and Florida feeling than the Sanibel Island Causeway.

This past weekend there were decent amount of people fishing and hanging out on the causeway. Our tourist season is over so the locals are out enjoying a little down time. We even saw a few 4 legged friends playing in the water with their owners.

The Sanibel causeway is made up of 2 islands, and 3 bridges. There is a $6.00 toll for vehicles, Motorcycles are $2.00 and there is an extra cost for each axel with the bigger trucks.  While you’re on Sanibel you should also consider visiting Captiva Island or the Sanibel Lighthouse.  The summer time is less crowded so it’s a treat to visit Sanibel without the congestion and traffic delays.

Web Lake  in Punta Gorda Florida | 139/365 Things to Do in SWFL

Web Lake is a wildlife management area about 15 miles NW of Fort Myers, Florida. It is positioned right off I - 75. It has a beautiful scenic drive along a 395 acre lake that provides great opportunities for shore fishing. If you’re looking for fun things to do in SWFL consider a drive around the lake.  Web Lake would be a great lake to paddle around and see all the wading shore birds and wildlife in the area, also.

For those looking for exercise, this is also a wonderful area to ride a bicycle as there is very little traffic. There is a primitive campground at the entrance. We stop here often and do the drive when taking people to or from the Punta Gorda airport. It gives them a nice taste of wild Florida.

If you’d like to visit and tour Web Lake, directions: I-75 exit 158 to Tucker Grade. Turn east on Tucker Grade and travel approximately 0.2 mi. to the management area.

_______________________________________________

About the author: Melinda Cochran is photographer and Southwest Florida resident. You can find more of her images at: https://www.facebook.com/journeythroughmyeyes/.  If you know of a great place for Melinda to capture wildlife in action send a message in the comments section of this post.