Life In Bonita Springs

Fleamasters Flea Market Fort Myers, Fl 34/365

With all of the great conveniences in the Bonita Springs area we do not typically head up to Fort Myers however this past weekend it was a little rainy and we wanted to take the kids and do something different. We also had company visiting us in Bonita Springs and they have never been to the flea market so we all loaded up in the car and headed up to Fleamasters Flea market.

At Fleamasters they have over 400,000 square feet with over 900 stores and 20 food stands to explore. We spent most of the day walking around looking at the stores.

I am always on the hunt for antique/vintage farmhouse decorations for the house, my husband is on the look out for a good deal and the kids enjoy looking at the old video games and some of the older toys.

At Fleamasters there was a live band preforming in the smaller of the two buildings so we sat and listened to them for a little while.  We then we went off searching for fun things to do. My son stopped and looked at a lot of fishing tackle and lures.  He also looked at knives and old gaming systems. My daughter loved looking at all the old toys and the light up shoes. I found some great vintage decorations for the house as well.

Fleamasters is located just off exit 138 on State Road 82 in Fort Myers. The hours are below but they are subject to change.  (posted 2019)

May 1 — Sept. 30
Friday 9 to 3,
Saturday & Sunday 9 to 5

Oct. 1 — April 30
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9 to 5 Rain or shine!

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About the author – Angela Griffith is a wife, mother and Realtor. She lives in Bonita Springs, Florida with her husband Jon, her son Aiden, her daughter Madison and their pet pig Princess.

Keewaydin Island, Collier County Florida 33/365

One of my all time favourite paddling destinations is Keewaydin Island, an 8 mile long barrier island that extends south from Gordon Pass, where Naples Bay empties in to the Gulf of Mexico, to just North of Marco Island. There are mangrove islands throughout the intracoastal waterway between Naples Bay and Marco Island.

My primary means of conveyance on the water is by kayak, and it is about an hour’s worth of paddling, as I recall. You’ll want to check the tide charts if you want to make things as easy as possible. The tides are generally most noticeable at the narrower parts of the channel, so what I’m saying is, if you are going to access by paddle craft, be prepared to really paddle. It can be a lazy, windless day, or if the winds pick up, combined with the tide, you might be in for a bit of exercise. Late afternoon storms are a factor to be aware of, especially in late summer. The clouds will start building up before they are visible on your weather radar app, so keep an eye on your surroundings, and don’t let reliance on technology rule out over common sense.

There are a number of access points to launch a paddle craft, as well as a number of places where you can cross from the estuary side of the island to the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. I generally plan my trips so the tide is in my favour as much as possible; and with the portages to the Gulf available, sometimes can have the tide in my favour both on my way out to the island, as well as on my way back. Bear in mind, that paddling on the Gulf is not for lightweights, and can get dangerous. Always wear a PFD if you are going to attempt this leg of trip.

At Gordon Pass, particularly, there are a combination of forces, between the wind, tide, and wakes from boat traffic, (which can be quite busy). I have towed a swimmer who got swept away by the tide back to shore before, so again, don’t underestimate the forces at work here.

Paddling is a popular sport in Southwest Florida. I’d love to hear where you enjoy paddling your watercraft.  

Read also: 

Imperial River Bonita Springs Paddle From Bonita Grande Rd Kehl Canal #swfl

Bonita Springs Real Estate For Kayak & Standup Paddleboarders

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About the author - John Farren is a resident of Naples, Florida and an avid kayaker.

Visit a Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail 32/365

Throughout the state of Florida are many designated Florida birding trails. You can find a handy website located at www.floridabirdingtrail.com to get more information. Many of the trails are noted on their interactive map but if you become familiar with the standard brown birding trail sign you will see them roadside around Southwest Florida.  If you’re looking for fun, low impact things to do bird watching is a great activity.

Bonita Springs, Naples and Fort Myers all have designated birding trails where it is both common and easy to spot a variety of birds. In the Bonita Springs area we have many migratory birds plus the variety of birds varies wildly from the mangroves and mudflats to the pine and cypress preserves.  Locally there are a variety of places with active, nesting eagles!

The Conservation 20/20 project often holds organized, guided walks during winter season. There are docent volunteers who will help you identify plants, animals and birds on the walks. You can find the events posted on their Facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/pg/Conservation2020/events/ 

You can easily find great birding at Lover’s Key State Park in Bonita Springs, Florida. There is a charge for entry but the park offers so much, including beach access. 

Lover’s Key is beside Dog Beach so you can see water birds for free from that area.  Happy Bird Watching.

Catch Improv in Naples  31/365 - Things to Do!

Hundreds of thousands of people drive by Costello Drive in Naples and have no idea that Naples Performing Arts Center is a stone’s throw away. There is so much going on at the NPAC that you’d need to do a deep dive on their offerings, classes, performances … but one of the great attractions is Square One Improv.  They perform in the Black Box Theater within the NPAC.

Recently, Gulf Coast Veterans and Friends, a local veteran’s advocacy group, was invited to attend a performance and I was able to attend with them.  It was such a great time and so much fun to watch. The talent of the improv actors is outstanding!  The crowd of all ages had a blast. The performance was crowd interactive and G rated.  A few of the veterans and board members were able to be on stage and get involved.  A great time was had by all!

If you’re looking for fun things to do and a great time with tons of laughs book a performance to see Square One Improv in Naples. To learn more about Square One Improv visit their website: www.SquareOneImprov.com

A Day Trip to Homestead For Orchids 30/365

There are many great day trips you can take from Bonita Springs, Florida. I’ve lived here for decades and have accidentally found some fun things to do over the years.  For a period of time one of my hobbies was orchids. What’s not to love about them and being able to grow them 365 days per year?

On one of my trips to “the other coast” I drove down Krome Avenue in Homestead on the recommendation of an acquaintance. Let me just say this, Homestead and The Redlands are an agriculture mecca. There are all sorts of plant growers in the area but the orchids.  Oh, my, the orchids. First, it is not unusual for a roadside vendor to be selling rare, exotic and inexpensive orchids out of the back of their truck or a little tent they set up on the side of the road.  Second, the orchid houses are a site to behold. It’s fun just to go walk through them. Some of them are even dedicated to specific orchids like the Vanda orchid. 

If you decide to take the plunge into orchids go wander the grower houses on Krome Ave and soak in the sights and the education you can get from some of the vendors. It’s a beautiful way to spend the afternoon plus you can stop and eat at a roadside vendor or grab lunch in old downtown Homestead.

If you really enjoy orchids, for an insider tip read also: Naples Beach Hotel Orchids Naples Florida

Dining on the Beach – Baleen at La Playa 29/365

There are only few choice locations for waterfront dining on the Gulf of Mexico in close proximity to Bonita Springs.  Besides Doc’s Beach House offers casual dining in Bonita Springs but a few miles south is Baleen at La Playa Hotel in north Naples, Florida.  Baleen is beautiful both inside and out.

The menu offer popular choices of local Florida seafood favorites as well as the standards of fine dining and those watching their calories or eating Keto. One of my favorite meals at Baleen is the lobster risoto.  Also, there is a lobster bisque on the menu that I sometimes get depending upon how hungry I am.

Baleen offers dining inside plus dining outside. There are often tiki torches lit and a round of applause by spectators when the sun sets.  If you go be sure to make a reservation especially if you would like to see the sunset. As you can imagine it is a popular time of the day for the restaurant as watching the sunset is one of the m popular things to do in Naples, Florida.

La Playa offers valet parking or self serve parking. You can see the menu here: Baleen Menu  They are also on the Open Table app. Open table is a great hack for getting a reservation in SWFL. To learn more about those, read also: Ten Hacks to Survive Bonita Springs Florida Tourist Season

Naples Botanical Gardens – 28/365 Things to do

Founded by a group of eight Naples residents in 1993, Naples Botanical Gardens is 170 acres featuring plants and cultures of Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Florida. Naples Botanical Gardens has nine different gardens and a preserve.  There is over 1,000 species of different plants.

One of the gardens is a children’s garden which includes a butterfly garden, tiny cottages, a splash pad, tree house, and watering cans so the kids can take care of the garden. If you’re looking for fun things to do with kids this hits the mark!

Naples Botanical Gardens is open from 9:00am-5:00pm ticket prices are $19.95 for an adult and $9.95 for children 4 and older. There is also pricing for annual memberships. There is a restaurant/cafe Fogg Cafe in the middle of the garden that features things that can be found right in the garden.  You can also eat at the nearby Celebration Food Truck Park.

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About the Author - Jenna Hatfield is a life-long resident of Bonita Springs, Florida and mother of two boys.

Things to Do Near Bonita Springs, Florida 27/365

We had a few friends tell us we needed to check out Caspersen Beach.  It’s located about an hour and thirty minutes north of Bonita Springs in Venice, Florida. Caspersen Beach is a secluded beach with the clearest blue waters! Our family chose to check it out because we heard you could hunt for shark teeth and as a mom of two young boys we were so excited for the hunt.

Venice, Florida is known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World.” I would recommend bringing a sifter of some type to comb through the sand and to find the shark teeth.

Caspersen Beach has a boardwalk, canoe/kayak launch, and a playground. I did not know prior to going that there is a lot of rocks so I would bring water shoes. We worked hard, found shark teeth and had a great day with the family.

If you’re looking for fun things to do with kids or a one tank trip and an adventure to find shark teeth on the beach take a ride to Venice.  It’s worth the drive and the memories will last a lifetime.

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About the Author - Jenna Hatfield is a life-long resident of Bonita Springs, Florida and mother of two boys.

How's the Bonita Springs Real Estate Market?

How’s the Real Estate Market? Ah, the age old question that can have a thousand different answers even when asked at the exact same moment in the exact same city. 

The state of the real estate market is perspective.  Perspective of the home buyer, perspective of the home seller and perspective of the real estate agent who could have been in business for decades or, like in 2019 could have been in business for fifteen minutes. If a person thinks they can’t sell real estate because it’s a bad real estate market they aren’t going to sell any real estate.

I, myself, have been in the business for a couple of decades … yes, a career agent, full time the whole time.  I’ve watched the tide wash in the real estate agents and wash them back out again, too.  So here’s my $.02 cent perspective on the Bonita Springs real estate market. 

A real estate agent will have an experience no different than this hawk.  The weather might be totally rotten but life still goes on.  You still have to put food on the table. 

Listing agents still list homes for sale and buyer’s agent  still help buyers purchase homes.   The home seller still has to put food on their table. They also still have to have a home to put their table in. 

Maybe they need to sell because the kids grew up and moved out. Maybe the kids have to sell the house because mom or dad went to be with the Lord. Whatever the reason and no matter how abysmal the real estate market is homes that are priced for the market will sell because someone will purchase a home for what it is worth.

The Alamo Gun Range In Naples Florida 26/365

A few of my friends and I went to The Alamo gun range in Naples, Florida for a moms night out. We rented a private room, with a private instructor and 4 private firing lanes. There were a few in the group who were not experienced or comfortable shooting. By having our own range area, it make them feel more comfortable since it was just us girls with each other. The range instructor started out with a safety course to gauge the level of knowledge and then they went over the range/shooting safety. We, as a group of 6 women, went through an entire case of ammo.

You are able to bring your own firearm to The Alamo or rent some of weapons. If you rent theirs, you have to purchase their ammo for range use. If you bring your own firearm you can bring your own ammo. I suggest if you do need to purchase ammo to buy it by the case as it will save you money in the long run.

The Alamo has a public range, and a Members Only Range. The public range is located in the lower level of the building and the Presidential Club is located on the 2^nd floor. They have their own supply store so you do not have to go downstairs to purchase ammo.

They have a retail store up front that has all of your firearm needs, ammo, accessories, cases, protection, clothing, guns, knives, and more. If you are looking for fun things to do be sure to stop by The Alamo! To learn more about The Alamo visit their website: www.alamorange.com 

Public Handgun Lanes

Total Lanes: 19
Length: 37.5 feet (12.5 Yards)
Max Caliber: 44 Magnum

Presidential Club Range

Total Lanes: 6
Length: 114 feet
Max Caliber: 308

Store Hours

Monday through Friday: 10am to 8pm
Saturday: 9am to 7pm
Sunday: 11am to 6pm