Last Visit to Bonita Springs?

Barbara on her balcony overlooking the view

We've enjoyed many amazing dinners at her
dining room table

 

This might be out last visit to Bonita Springs. Our good friend Barbara has her condo on the market and it looks like she may be moving back up to Connecticut. She lived there for many years while she was a Professor at Wesleyan University and her two children live nearby. She'd like to be closer to them and her many grandchildren. We'll miss this lovely area but of course she'll be closer to us now as well. 

Barbara and Scott at Naples Botanical Gardens

The first day was cold and overcast so we hunkered in enjoying Barbara's wonderful cooking. Scott and I did get in a walk though - Pelican Landing is surrounded by beautiful ponds, golf courses and grassy swamps. The beach, which we usually enjoyed for a walk, was damaged in the last hurricane and inaccessible for a while. The second full day we drove down to Naples to the Botanical Gardens. What a spectacular place as you can see from some of the photos here. And we capped it off with a great lunch overlooking the water at the Boathouse on Naples Bay. 

The next day we were off to St. Petersburg to visit my cousin Joanie and her husband Kent. So more on that in the nest post!

There is a walk around the lake but we didn't feel up to it. There is so much to see in the gardens themselves.

The waterlilies were so beautiful and in a
variety of colors.

Several streams and waterfalls run through
the gardens.

Last time we were here the theme was Frida Kahlo. This time it was framing views and a large group of artists were arriving the next day to paint throughout the gardens. Frames were erected to highlight views that combined near and far elements.