Friday January 25th
Up at daylight and after breakfast in room headed for the Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve about 2 miles away but had to go to the exit 3 miles further on as the road was being fixed. But I immediately came upon a big lake peppered with ducks, Coots and Grebes. In a cove were the egrets, terns and Ibis. Near the tower gulls and terns blocked the road and shore birds were thick. Had the place to ourselves until we started back out and met several cars. Back at the motel we went to the beach for a last walk- and several perfect shells washed right in at our feet. Checked out at 11 a.m. and headed for Venice. Stopped outside Fort Myers for strawberries, lettuce and corn and tomatoes. Stopped at Thomas Edison’s home and toured the grounds, laboratory and Museum. Walked along the verandahs of the 1885 home and guest house and saw the docks into the Caloosahatchee river.
Got to Rieger’s at 4:45 and they were still at the circus. But found key and went in and started supper before they arrived. Carl had to take me to see the papayas, oranges and grapefruit before we ate. The house was so hot I went to bed at 8:30. (furnace heat)