On December 31, 1879, Thomas Edison gave the first demonstration of his incandescent light bulb in Menlo Park, New Jersey. Edison was a very smart man. He didn’t want to spend his winters freezing. In 1885, he brought property along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida. He built a beautiful home and lab there. Today, you can visit this National Historic Landmark.
A visit to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates is like a trip back in time. Edison’s home is perfectly maintained. As you step onto the verandah, feeling those warm tropical breezes, you can picture yourself here at the turn of the century. You can peer into his living room, and imagine him listening to phonograph records. Of course, the house is lighted by his famous incandescent bulbs. You will also get to see one of the first swimming pools in this part of Florida. My, have times changed!!
Fort Myers, Florida became a popular place for prominent Americans to vacation at. The warm, balmy winter days made it a terrific destination for snow-bound Northerners. Henry Ford liked the area so much that he built a house right next to Edison’s. Your tour will take you past his house and into his garage. Yes, there are a few vintage Ford’s to see!!
Edison also built a laboratory here. His lab is literally frozen in time. There are vials and bottles filled with things he was actually working on! Your guide will tell you about some of the famous experiments conducted here. There is also a terrific museum showcasing some of Edison’s greatest inventions. Did you know that he helped invent the x-ray machine, the stock ticker, the toaster, and the telegraph? Plus, there is a beautiful garden on the property. The garden has over 1,000 different plants, including a banyan tree that has weathered a few major hurricanes.
All tours of the estate are guided. Your tour guides will regale you with stories about Edison’s inventions and life in Southwest Florida. There are plenty of spots to take some terrific pictures by the river. Tour his estate in the morning and spend your afternoon on the beautiful, white sandy beaches of Sanibel.
For more information about the Edison Estate, visit www.efwefla.org
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, Hawaii
This week marks 69 years since the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941 – A day that will live in infamy. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday morning and sailors were beginning to prepare for the day ahead. This is Hawaii after all. What better place to be stationed? All that suddenly changed when the Japanese began bombing the harbor just before 0755 hour. In just 2 hours, the Japanese sunk or severely damaged 8 battleships, 3 destroyers, and 3 light cruisers. The Navy and Marines lost over 2,000 men.
Hawaiian vacations are filled with fun, sun, swaying palm trees, and days spent lounging on beautiful beaches. But, visitors who come to Oahu should take time to include a trip to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. Because of the attack, American officially entered World War II. As a nation, we are forever grateful for the sacrifices and bravery that occurred here 69 years ago.
The National Park Service operates the memorial. This year, the Park Service opened up a re-vamped museum which includes mementos from that fateful day along with interviews of Pearl Harbor survivors. Some of the men and women working at the museum are Pearl Harbor survivors. They are willing to share with you stories of that day and their experiences in the War.
After a short film, you will board a boat that will take you to the U.S.S. Arizona. A visit to the U.S.S. Arizona is a moving experience. When you arrive at the memorial, you are standing on hallowed ground. The memorial is built right above the actual ship. When the Arizona sunk, she took 1,177 members of her crew with her. This is a solemn and reflective place. There are plaques listing the names of the men who were lost. You may see oil seeping from the ship or see World War II veterans throw leis into the harbor to remember their lost friends.
The USS Missouri, USS Bowfin, and Pacific Aviation Museum are also located at Pearl Harbor. All are worth your time. It is only fitting that the USS Missouri is permanently docked at Pearl Harbor. We entered the war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The Japanese officially surrendered on the deck of the USS Missouri.
For more information about visiting the U.S.S Arizona, visit the following website: www.nps.gov/valr
Hawaiian vacations are filled with fun, sun, swaying palm trees, and days spent lounging on beautiful beaches. But, visitors who come to Oahu should take time to include a trip to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. Because of the attack, American officially entered World War II. As a nation, we are forever grateful for the sacrifices and bravery that occurred here 69 years ago.
The National Park Service operates the memorial. This year, the Park Service opened up a re-vamped museum which includes mementos from that fateful day along with interviews of Pearl Harbor survivors. Some of the men and women working at the museum are Pearl Harbor survivors. They are willing to share with you stories of that day and their experiences in the War.
After a short film, you will board a boat that will take you to the U.S.S. Arizona. A visit to the U.S.S. Arizona is a moving experience. When you arrive at the memorial, you are standing on hallowed ground. The memorial is built right above the actual ship. When the Arizona sunk, she took 1,177 members of her crew with her. This is a solemn and reflective place. There are plaques listing the names of the men who were lost. You may see oil seeping from the ship or see World War II veterans throw leis into the harbor to remember their lost friends.
The USS Missouri, USS Bowfin, and Pacific Aviation Museum are also located at Pearl Harbor. All are worth your time. It is only fitting that the USS Missouri is permanently docked at Pearl Harbor. We entered the war when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The Japanese officially surrendered on the deck of the USS Missouri.
For more information about visiting the U.S.S Arizona, visit the following website: www.nps.gov/valr
Friday, December 3, 2010
Holiday Gift Ideas for the National Park Lover
The Holidays are here once again. It is time to decide what to get your friends and family members. Do you want to give the standard gifts – ties, clothes, perfumes, DVD’s, and CD’s? Or do you want to get them something they would really like and never expect? If your family and friends enjoy visiting National Parks, we have some gift ideas for you.
The Internet is great for Christmas shopping. You have so many more choices than you do just going to the mall. National parks have their own websites, and many have links to the park’s gift shops. Here are a few of our favorites.
• Grand Canyon National Park Gifts (www.grandcanyonlodges.com/shop) – You can purchase Grand Canyon T-shirts, books, videos, Native American jewelry, knick knacks, and even food items. Our favorite – National Park Monopoly. The game is the same as traditional Monopoly, but the properties are different. You can buy up National Parks like Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, and Glacier.
• Great Smoky Mountain Association
(www.smokiesstore.org) - If you have ever visited the Smokies, you probably tasted some of that good country cooking. Well, you can purchase some of those foods here. Yummy blackberry preserves, apple butter, and honey. You can even buy cornmeal produced at one of the area's famous gristmills. There are also t-shirts, calendars, posters, and DVD’s available for purchase. All purchases made on this site benefit Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
• Yellowstone National Park Store (www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com) – For many years, the Fred Harvey Company operated gift stores and restaurants in Western National Parks. This site follows in the Fred Harvey tradition. You can buy a variety of souvenirs here including shirts, planners, toys, mugs, shot glasses, books, and even lotions. We love the huckleberry products offered here. If you ever visited this area, you probably ate something huckleberry flavored and loved it!! Well, you can buy huckleberry syrup, huckleberry toppings, and even huckleberry flavored candy on this site!!
• National Park Passes – If you have someone on your Christmas list who visits America’s National Parks each year, consider giving them a National Park Pass. There are many different options to choose from. Passes can be purchased at parks or online. For more information, visit http://store.usgs.gov/pass.
• National Park Travel Guides – (www.greatamericanvacationideas.com) – It is never too early to start planning a vacation. Consider giving a travel guide. National park guides lay out in detail the areas to see, hikes to take, and park lodging and dining. Plus, each guide has sample itineraries. Start packing your bags for an adventure of a lifetime!!
The Internet is great for Christmas shopping. You have so many more choices than you do just going to the mall. National parks have their own websites, and many have links to the park’s gift shops. Here are a few of our favorites.
• Grand Canyon National Park Gifts (www.grandcanyonlodges.com/shop) – You can purchase Grand Canyon T-shirts, books, videos, Native American jewelry, knick knacks, and even food items. Our favorite – National Park Monopoly. The game is the same as traditional Monopoly, but the properties are different. You can buy up National Parks like Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, and Glacier.
• Great Smoky Mountain Association
(www.smokiesstore.org) - If you have ever visited the Smokies, you probably tasted some of that good country cooking. Well, you can purchase some of those foods here. Yummy blackberry preserves, apple butter, and honey. You can even buy cornmeal produced at one of the area's famous gristmills. There are also t-shirts, calendars, posters, and DVD’s available for purchase. All purchases made on this site benefit Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
• Yellowstone National Park Store (www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com) – For many years, the Fred Harvey Company operated gift stores and restaurants in Western National Parks. This site follows in the Fred Harvey tradition. You can buy a variety of souvenirs here including shirts, planners, toys, mugs, shot glasses, books, and even lotions. We love the huckleberry products offered here. If you ever visited this area, you probably ate something huckleberry flavored and loved it!! Well, you can buy huckleberry syrup, huckleberry toppings, and even huckleberry flavored candy on this site!!
• National Park Passes – If you have someone on your Christmas list who visits America’s National Parks each year, consider giving them a National Park Pass. There are many different options to choose from. Passes can be purchased at parks or online. For more information, visit http://store.usgs.gov/pass.
• National Park Travel Guides – (www.greatamericanvacationideas.com) – It is never too early to start planning a vacation. Consider giving a travel guide. National park guides lay out in detail the areas to see, hikes to take, and park lodging and dining. Plus, each guide has sample itineraries. Start packing your bags for an adventure of a lifetime!!
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