Exploring Ft. Myers Florida

Ft. Myers Yacht Basin is rather expensive as far as staying at a marina goes. One night slip fee is $2.25 per foot; the weekly rate drops to $1.30 per foot times seven, but it is well worth the cost. The thunder storms continue daily. The Tropical weather report from the National Hurricane Center shows a solid stream of reds, greens and yellows, carrying tons of moisture flowing from the Pacific Ocean across Mexico's Yucatan Peninsular. It's getting old but we don't complain out loud! This rain is filling Lake Okeechobee which we hope to cross soon. Mystic has a 5'5" draft which means we need six feet of water to safely navigate. After over a week, the Lake level has risen to 5'7".

As we always do when we dock ashore, we head out to explore. Dave found the Mellenium Brewing Company was within walking distance so, of course, we went for a walk. The place is much like a lot of the Microbreweries we've found along our journey; it's in an old garage style building. They have a beer pong table and trivia night. If you win at Trivia, your tab is on the house. We each tried the Oatmeal Stout.

Millennial Brewing Co.

What's on Tap

Beer Pong

Movie Mural

Oatmeal Stout

Brewpub Bar Backdrop

There is lot to see in Ft. Myers. When Dave was here back in the 80's, the downtown was dilapidated and neglected. A lot of money went into cleaning it up and making it the tourist stop it is today. The streets are lined with cobblestone pavers and there is a walking art tour that takes you through the city to view metal sculptures. It's called the Monumental Sculpture Exhibit. One of the pieces has gotten a lot of attention. It's a man and his dog, both relieving themselves on a post. It is highly controversial with some seeing it as rude. The artist, Edgardo Carmona, is from South America. 

TERRITORIO
by Edgardo Carmona

Ft. Myers has a Farmer's Market under one of the bridges in town on Thursdays from 7:00 - 12:00. This is only the second Farmer's Market we've been to on this trip. We always seem to arrive in port on the wrong day. This market was great. We picked up sweet red peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and romaine lettuce. The sky opened up while we were there but we were mostly sheltered by the bridge. We met Chleo, a local gal who tells us she grew up in Ft. Myers. She heard us say we live on a sailboat and offered us a ride back to Mystic. She lives near the Edison Estate and recommended we take the tour. Paula and Tom Vail also recommended this. It sounds like we need to take the tour!

Ponciana Path Next to Farmer's Market

Small market but full of great things!

Jack Fruit

Jack Fruit

Lychees

Bins of Veggies

Fresh and colorful

The Honey Girl

Rain pouring through Bridge

With all the rain, we've been lucky to have gorgeous sunsets. A huge power boat is directly in our line of sight but we still manage to get a few good shots.

Sunset After The Storm

Ft. Myers Yacht Basin Jetty

Sunset Lady on big trawler in front of us!

Dramatic sky

Mystic in slip H9 at Ft. Myers Yacht Basin

Boiling Clouds

Caloosahatchie River Sunset

Fire Clouds