Ford's Garage

Ford's Garage is a burgers-and-beer restaurant in Fort Myers, where Henry Ford 

spent the winters in a house next to Thomas Edison.  

Many of the details are based on old automobile parts, like this pair of bathroom sinks made from Firestone tires.  (Harvey Firestone was a friend of both Edison and Ford and a regular visitor.)

This photo was hanging outside the men's room.
From left to right:  Firestone, President Calvin Coolidge, Ford and Edison.

Weekend Reflections.

Florida Rep

The Florida Repertory Theatre is a professional theatre company that The Wall Street Journal has called “One of America’s Top Repertory Companies!”   This is the front.

Performing in the Historic Arcade Theatre (rear above), Florida Rep produces a wide variety of comedies, dramas, and musicals. The company’s smaller ArtStage Studio Theatre 

hosts new, sometimes experimental works.

First Street at Night

Time to practice the night photography capabilities of my iPhone 11 Pro Max.

First Street is Fort Myers' main drag.  The  corner building is First National Bank.

This is Fort Myers Regional Library, with Cornog Plaza beside it.

Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls is an annual fundraiser in Naples' Cambier Park.

Potters make bowls for artists and supporters to decorate, visitors pay $20 and pick a bowl, and about 50 restaurants donate soups to fill the bowls.



The money that is raised goes to local organizations feeding the hungry.

The event is a huge success every year.

A Newly Brightened Alley

The owner of buildings on Naples' prime shopping street, Fifth Avenue South, hired an artist to create works to brighten a formerly humdrum alley from the parking lot to Fifth Avenue.

Each of the colorful panels bears the signature "Parker."

I didn't find other details about the artist.

Visit Monday Mural for other photographs of murals.

Caloosahatchee Manuscripts

After dark, a wonderful pair of metal cylinders light up and project letters onto the sidewalk

 and the façade of the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers.  They were a gift to the city from the local electric utility.  Maryland sculptor Jim Sanborn created the "Caloosahatchee Manuscripts" to commemorate the transition of an old power plant from oil to natural gas

I showed these in 2011. I am hoping you forgot or that you don't mind repetition.

Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center

An art center on Fort Myers' main drag has massive Ionic columns in front.  On a recent visit I noticed that there is now a collection of circular artifacts adorning the top.

The art center has a full schedule of programs advertised on the banners.

Doug's

Doug's is a simple restaurant selling good meals like clam chowder, lobster rolls and fish-and-chips.  Doug is from Maine.  He began by selling New England-style food at farmers' markets.  

The restaurant opened a few years ago.  Simple, tasty, good.

Especially for New Englanders like me.

Sunset at the Abandoned Pier Pilings

The sunset on Naples Beach was disappointing.  The clouds lifted, so there was not as much
 reflected color as I wanted.  But, the incoming waves were strong
and the pilings gave the photos some interest.

Golden Hour at Naples Beach

The skies looked promising, so I drove down to Naples Beach to try some sunset photos.

The sun would set at 6 o'clock.  This was fifteen minutes earlier.  I saw the pilings

of an abandoned pier in the distance, so I headed in that direction.

Fore!

Sometimes an out-of-focus image works for me.
What do you think?

Black and White

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

Martin Luther King Jr.

Loudermilk Beach

It is season in Naples, and it was unusually warm last week.

Beach lovers were out in force.

A Cormorant's Eyes

Have you ever looked closely at a cormorant's eyes?  I had not.  But, when I zoomed in on this cormorant, I was struck by the ring of dots around its eyes.  I wonder what they are for.

Tricolored Heron

Scratch when it itches.

On alert.



Noble.

You've got to stop me.  I could photograph these guys every day.

Baker Park II

Baker Park's facilities are really good.

The paving is eye-catching.  The landscaping is extensive.  It mixes mounds, elevation changes and open areas.  There are lots of benches situated for rest and to admire the views.

I have never before seen a bench with an adjoining space for wheelchairs.  Great idea!

The Gordon River is crossed by a wide wooden bridge with a gazebo near the east end.

The side of the park west of the river is landscaped and groomed, while the east side is more natural.

There is a large community building that is not yet ready for use.

And a playground aimed at pre-school and elementary school kids is huge.  And busy!

Baker Park I

Last Saturday I visited Naples’ newest park, one year old Baker Park.  The park straddles the Gordon River north of Route 41.  It was very impressive.  The fundraising was led (once again) by Jay and Patty Baker, very generous Naples philanthropists. 

 I am encouraging my friends to visit.

Go with their dogs.  

With their children or grandchildren.

With their bike.

With their rollerblades.

With their buddies.

With their partner.  But, go. 

Bonita Springs National Art Festival.

A big outdoor art show was held in Bonita Springs' Riverside Park last Saturday and Sunday.

Tents were packed into the fields on both sides of Old Route 41.  There was a good turnout.

I wasn't going to photograph individual artists, but how could I pass up Maria Reyes-Jones?

I did pass up the opportunity to add a new hat to my collection.