Naple's Nature Sanctuaries
by deecat
The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located on Tower Road in Naples, Florida. It is really an environmental learning center. Because of the rapid population growth in this are, there is a need to improve humanbehavior. This reserve encourages people to follow simple guidelines for all visitors to this location and all other nature locations:
1. Dispose of trash and fishing line in proper places
2. Follow state fishing regulations
3. DO NOT TAKE live shells or artifacts
4. DO NOT feed, follow, or disturb wildlife
5. Keep pets on a leash, on the boat, or better yet, at home!
This Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve covers 110,000 acres of native habitats [pristine mangrove forest, uplands, and protected waters]. It is one of very few relatively undisturbed mangrove estuaries in all of North America. Students and scientists from all over the world come here to study in this outdoor classroom.
The Purpose of the Rookery:
1. Monitor environmental conditions
2. Restore native habitats
3. Raise awareness of estuaries
4. Train Coastal Decision-Makers.
The learning center has:
1. 2,3000-gallon aquarium with immersion bubble
2. Gives visitors a glimpse into a working lab [able to see real researchers working for the coastal zone]
3. A short film about the Rookery Bay Reserve which can be viewed in the auditorium
4. A Store called the "Palmetto Patch Nature Store" that offers books, souvenirs, and environmental gifts
5. Art gallery that features works by local artists
6. Butterfly Garden.
While we were in Naples during January, there was a Southwest Florida Birding & Wildlife Festival The Rookery Bay Reserve Learning Center is located between Naples and Marco Island just off Collier Boulevard [SR 951]. It's about one mile south of Tamiami Trail East [US 41]. From I-75, take exit 101 and go south for six miles.
Smallest "Working" Post Office
by deecat
When I discovered that the smallest "working" post office in the United States was located in Collier County [Naples is also in Collier County], I knew that we had to find it and stop to see it. That opportunity came up on our way back from The Everglades.
It is, indeed, very small. It is located specifically in OCHOPEE, FLORIDA 34141. It was formerly an irrigation pipe shed on a tomato farm! In 1953, when a night fire burned down the combination general store/Post Office, this "shed" was put into use as the area's formal Post Office. It served both as a Post Office and a ticket station for Trailways Bus Line.
It has been in continuous use since 1953. It delivers to three different counties and also delivers to Seminole and Miccosukee Indians in this region.
It is pointed out that many tourist travel long distances in order to obtain a postmark from this famed little post office:
PHOTOGRAPHS:
1. The Ochopee, Florida 34141 Post Office.
2. The metal sign for the United States Post Office in Ochopee, Florida.
3. The plaque explaining the history of the smallest United States Post Office.
I'm so pleased that I actually was able to see the post office, talk to the woman who works there, and take photographs to prove that I had experienced it.
american
by doug48 about cafe lurcat
the cafe lurcat is one of the better restaurants in downtown naples. they offer steak and seafood in an elegant cafe style atmosphere. excellent wine list and a very nice bar. a very good place to dine when in naples. expensive.
Sunsets & Wine...
by catalysta about HB’s On The Gulf
HB’s On The Gulf is an excellent and well-recommended choice for an upscale evening meal. Located in the Naples Beach Hotel, it has a beautiful unobstructed view of the Gulf waters. Reservations recommended, especially if you want to catch the sunset with your meal.
Visit Third Street South
by mafootje
Here you can find all kinds of shops, outdoor cafes and restaurants. It has little courtyards and parks which gives the place a mixture of Mediterranean, European, and Caribbean feelings to it. It also has lot's of galeries, they claim to have to most of southwest Florida but that's something we didn't check.
setting off
Nightlife in downtown Naples, FL
Jet Ski
Beautiful golden flowers
