Lee County’s Ft. Meyers and Bonita Springs are beach towns, bastions of sun and surf for snowbirds and tourists alike. With beaches closed and without facilities – possibly true for the foreseeable future – I found myself seeking other entertainment options – and I wasn’t disappointed.

There are still nature parks, island cruises have just started up again, hiking, of course, canoeing, boat excursions, flea markets, historic sites but I’m going to focus on three unusual attractions that don’t usually fall on the must-see itinerary.

Shangri-La Springs Resort, in concert with its name which usually conjures up a fantastical paradise, is actually where the springs that give the city of Bonita its name were first discovered by the Calusa Indians – the first mineral springs spa in North America. The hotel oozes history and healing inside and out.

At the Harvest and Wisdom Restaurant, I felt my mind expand even as I was being seated. Architecture, landscape and gardens provide extensive farm to table offerings. With only regenerative farming practices used, the 100% organic, sustainable products preserve the natural state of the plants. This was now over my pay grade dealing with essential oils, natural yeasts and beneficial bacteria but I was pretty sure the vegetables I was eating were pretty fresh.

Asian art proliferates throughout the property, inside and out. It’s a boutique hotel impersonating an art gallery. Even the lobby aquarium has tiny Asian sculptures. The fish, I assume, were local.

The springs themselves resemble a small river floating under extensive tree canopies. The large fountain erupting in the center was probably not there when first discovered… The grounds bring to mind a mini-Botanical garden (not the only Bonita Springs hide-a-way to do so but more on that later), proffering a quiet, restful ambiance accentuated by streams, fountains and sculptures. And then there’s the Spa which reflects internally the graceful serene exterior.

So from the sublime to the ridiculous – and I say that in the most loving of ways…. As a long-time travel writer, there are a few things I find anathema due to de rigueur repetitive visits. I tend to avoid tours of forts, butterfly gardens and shell factories. But the world’s largest Shell Factory and Nature Park in Ft. Myers beckoned despite my internal protestations. And what an adventure it was!

Apparently, they left off amusement park in the site’s name because these are the activities I first noticed: a carousel, mini-golf, zip-line, climbing wall, gem mining, paddle and bumper boats, arcade games, a performance arts center and two restaurants. And oh yes, there is also a shop that sells shell necklaces. Well, okay – perhaps a tad more than that. How about the World’s Largest Shell Factory and this country’s largest gift shop.

A place so big it warrants its own zip code and, no surprise, they have their own post office to accommodate it. Inside, in addition to those afore-mentioned shells, there’s a fudge factory, a Christmas store, ice cream bar, t-shirts galore, more greeting cards than in a Hallmark warehouse (maybe several warehouses…) and miles and miles of quirky items you never knew you wanted until you tripped over them.

An onsite fudge-making operation is one of many surprises at the Shell Factory. They have everything and all of it in abundance, attested to by a self-aware sign that states: “If you can’t find something in this store, they just don’t make it!” And that includes the kitsch-en sink.

And did I mention the Nature Park? Four-hundred-and-fifty animals ranging from the expected alligators, tortoises and peacocks to lesser-known lemurs, camels and reptiles to virtually unknown tayras, caracels and a huge Eurasian Eagle-Owl. And, of course, a petting zoo with goats, alpacas and an ox and a Dinosaur Park offering visitors a chance to walk through our prehistoric past. They were the only animals who were not real. Although I suspect the animals are well-taken care of, some of the habitats felt a little cramped and I wasn’t sorry to leave.

Nonetheless, apparently I have to rethink my aversion to Shell Factories. But the Everglades Wonder Garden in Bonita Springs — a sort of hidden gem — left all thoughts of its Nature Park behind – it was a place I didn’t want to leave. If you’re old enough to remember the “roadside attraction” designation – this one dates back to 1936 – it usually conjures up an image of very unhappy animals in a very unsavory environment.

Though a step-back in time to a mainstay of Florida tourism, this roadside attraction evokes a totally different mind-set. It is the “later” I alluded to earlier, though more of a semi-tropical rainforest than botanical garden.

Scarlett, Calypso, Rudy and Murphy act as a very colorful and loud welcoming committee. Compared to the Shell Factory, these parrots are in luxury outdoor accommodations. Visiting the various rescued animals over three very airy and well-signed acres – alligators to tortoises, flamingos to lorikeets, over bridges and walkways, alongside streams and splashing waterfalls, amid an avalanche of tropical plants – the feeling is one of expansiveness and immersion in nature, with an appreciation of what a wonderful home these animals have. I suspect many of then think they are still in the wild.

Whether an exotic plant, animal or waterfall, there’s something to gawk at around every turn. My personal favorite? A giant orange and black iguana straddling a tree. Squawks, shrieks, yelps and tweets (no, not THAT kind!) reinforce the jungle atmosphere. Even the few cages on the property are expansive enough to resemble the same jungle impression prevalent outside of them.

Even as I re-read this, I realize how much of Lee County involves a natural habitat of sorts. So yes, Bonita Springs and Ft. Myers may be all about beaches, but they are also, thankfully, all about nature. Besides, who had time to sunbathe? For more information, visit www.shangrilasprings.com, www.shellfactory.com and www.wondergardens.org.

The post Lee County, Florida: Discovering an Unanticipated Bonus Compliments of Hurricane Ian appeared first on Traveling Archive.

A Divided Nation

I guess we’re starting the new year with a bang. A real BANG! with the hit on a terrorist in Iran. Predictably, the politicians are not shy about expressing their opinions. Sadly, the country is more and more divided even on something you would think they should actually agree on. It’s almost automatic — what one side says, the other side always has to disagree.

Some say that we shouldn’t mix politics with religion but last night I was reading Matthew 12 and it just hit me that this is one of the most politically charged passages in the Bible — and it’s as relevant then as it is today. It’s about Jesus vs. the Establishment — Jesus’ miracles (that are obviously good) are condemned and questioned by the Pharisees. Listen to their heated debate:

“Our long established rules demands that you shouldn’t do that!” they said.
“You mean I can’t do this?! *bling!* and Jesus heals a man’s crippled hands.

“Grrrr! Why you defiant little twirp! You belong to the dark side!” they said.
“Oh yeah? Why would I be doing good if I belong to the dark side? That doesn’t even make sense! Talk is cheap but the proof is in the obvious good that is accomplished. Good trees make good fruit. Bad trees make bad fruit.” Jesus argues.

“Well, we demand more proof than just miracles!” they retort.
“I already sent you lots of ’em. Remember Jonah and the whale? If you still don’t get it now, what’s the point in showing you more?” Jesus says.

“Lookie here! Our ‘fact-checkers’ say these guys are your Mom and brothers! How can you be the Messiah if you come from this ordinary family? Gotcha!” they smirk.
“Nice try diverting the argument. Those are just my earthly family. These guys who believe in me are my true family!” Jesus ends.

Of course this is just a paraphrase of the debate. Read it yourself and pay particular attention to the dynamics and tactics employed. Don’t they sound like today’s politicians?

What has me worried is that America may not survive with all of this internal bickering. I believe there are powerful forces that want to take America and the world down and they have already infiltrated our system.

“any town or family that divides itself into groups which fight each other will fall apart.”
— Matthew 12:25

But through prayer, there is hope. Can’t we grant each other patience and respect? Let’s really listen to the other side. It isn’t a matter of who’s smarter or more informed. Facts don’t matter when you’re up against pride. We all win when we lower our pride. And I say this to myself too and I know it’s hard.

Of course this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA for sharing this joke.

Don’s Puns

Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Video: 1933 Self Parking

Hard to believe there are millions of drivers out there who do not know how to back up or horizontal park. Here is an invention that can still probably help today. Thanks to Chuck of Whittier for sending this.

Video: Bird Mimic

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, BC for sharing this adorable bird.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this:

The post Job Interview appeared first on Traveling Archive.

The Little Drummer Boy

I don’t know about you but I enjoy being bombarded by Christmas carols everywhere I go.  These tunes bring back very happy memories of childhood. One of my favorites is the song of The Little Drummer Boy. Like many other songs I fell in love with the melody first. I never really understood what the story was about until I read an article of a puppeteer in an old McCalls magazine (remember them?). I became fascinated by marionettes (not hand puppets but string puppets) and I researched how to make them. I was only in my elementary years so carving wooden puppets was beyond my pay grade. I was further inspired by the puppetry in the classic movie The Sound of Music (ie. The Lonely Goatherd). I did try to make a wooden one but was frustrated because I had no sculpting tools. Then I found a book that showed me how to make marionettes out of cloth … essentially, they were rag dolls turned into puppets. I begged my Mom to teach me how to sew and by summer time I became an expert sewer. I popped out the heads of my GI Joe action figure and the heads of my sister’s Barbie dolls to have more realistic faces. I collected carton boxes and converted them into backdrops.  I produced, set designed, light designed and directed my siblings to my first puppet show. My most ambitious show was the Broadway musical Camelot — where we played the movie recording and acted out the different songs in the movie. To this day, the craft is still in me because I still know how to sew and build these puppets. Indeed, every “pum pa rum pum” channels my thoughts to Christmas with my siblings and puppets.

Thanks to Katherine Davis who wrote that song in 1941. Thanks to the woman puppeteer in McCalls who inspired my love for the performing arts. And thanks to my family who put up with me and gave me a wonderful Christmas childhood.

Where does your imagination bring you when you hear Christmas Carols? Tell me your story. I’d love to hear it.

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA for sharing this joke.

Rodney’s Puns

Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Funny Video

Christmas Parrot

Sent by Mike of New York

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this:

Thanks to Naomi of North Hollywood, CA who shared this:

The post Ancient Christmas Manuscript appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Sunshine

How has the week been treating you? Sunny? Cloudy?

For me, everything seems to be bright and sunny this summer week.  Work’s been busy but manageable and I still have evenings to enjoy with my wife. My kids are all good and busy doing their thing. Listening to my collection from a free online music website boosted my mood even more. My back still hurts but  getting better ever since I started stretching. My gout’s still there but has diminished considerably. It’s been really nice.

It’s days like this that make me raise my voice and thank the Lord for all His blessings. So I read a favorite happy passage written by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippian church:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 4:4-7

If you’ve seen a lot of sunshine this week, I’m sure you can relate to Paul. Let’s thank God for his blessings.

If you’ve seen nothing but clouds. Did you know that Paul wrote this when he was suffering in the stinky dungeons of Rome awaiting his execution? So if you only saw clouds this week, what’s your excuse?

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Chuck of Dallas, Texas for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Jeff Allen: Understanding the Wife Code
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. who shared this.

The post Expensive Parrot appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Hope After the Battle

The U.S. mid-term elections are finally over. As with recent past elections, this one lived up to the hype of being “the most important” one. Like a championship sport, every election seems to have it’s own unpredictable finish. There was a bloodbath of the seemingly unbeatable party champions. What’s comedic is the way the media from both sides claim victory.

It was disheartening to listen to the childish party leaders taunt their enemies just hours after the election — the wedding trial had just ended and now the two hurting bratty spouses are facing off again. No honeymoon to cool off… just a new marriage and a soon-to-be divorce.

Many of the winners won by the narrowest of margins. It could have gone either way. What does that tell you? America is indeed a divided country. Neither side can blame a lackluster turnout (like they did the last election) because each side showed up at the polls in full battle regalia. Think about it — when comedians and commentators make fun of the “other side,” they only appeal to half of the population. The fact that they continue their divisive rhetoric tells me they are clueless of their appeal. To be honest, I think this divided result is a gift from above. If either side had won, that winning party could have had so much muscle they would have disregarded the other. But with this balance of power perhaps now they will be forced to respect and to discuss the issues.

Don’t the two parties get it? This is the best opportunity and the best reason for peace. If they slug it out, we all lose. Let’s pray for maturity and wisdom from both sides instead of 2 years of stalemates and insults.

Let’s pray especially for the leaders because It’ll be a challenge to focus on the issues and silence their own party loyalists in the newsroom and social media who feed (ca-ching!) on intrigues and dissatisfaction. They are the source of our dissatisfaction. We should be better than this. Our goal is not for either side to win it all but to accept some hurt and injustice … give a little … take a little … negotiate!

When our forefathers wrote the Constitution, they knew this 2018 political impasse was going to happen. They asked for level heads to preside over their temperamental underlings whose hatred blinded them of the greater possibilities. Our forefathers also asked for one more ingredient … one very important ingredient — they asked for the help of God.

But this is just me.

“Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who insult you. If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t stop him from taking your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you for something. If someone takes what is yours, don’t insist on getting it back. Do for other people everything you want them to do for you. If you love those who love you, do you deserve any thanks for that? Even sinners love those who love them.”

— Luke 6: 27-32

TGIF people!

Another Oldie But Goodie

Shared by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Videos of the Week

The Oldest Man in the World
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA

A Carol Burnett classic. Need I say more?

WATCH VIDEO

Adorable Music Video to Start the Holiday Season
Sent by Terry of Santa Monica, CA

This is a clever visualization of Tchaikovsky’s “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” I love how the perfectly timed musical themes interact. Whoever made this video must read music and appreciate its nuances. This is clever … brilliant.

I guess the holiday season has started. If you get any good jokes or videos, please share!

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this photo

The post Señor Rod’s Dead Parrot appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Humble Beginnings

Before anything else, I really want to thank many of you who bought Tom the Mouse last week. I hope you enjoyed it. When I shared the book with my grand kids last Friday, we had so much fun. They laughed at the word “Ewww!” and mimicked animal sounds. The 2 boys were so competitive searching for the hidden images that I had a hard time finishing the story. They really loved it and I had to read it over a few times. It’s a good thing it isn’t a thick book. They still haven’t found all the hidden names and pictures. CLICK HERE and help make the book a success! They can’t wait for the next book. Next book? Is this the humble beginning of something big?

Let’s talk about humble beginnings. You know you live in Los Angeles when you have colorful breakfast friends like A.D.. A.D. is a bald Egyptian marketing executive/violinist. Every time I see him I think of Jennifer Lopez. No, he doesn’t look like J.Lo. He just reminds me of his compelling narrative concerning J.Lo’s humble beginning. He met her when he was having dinner with a movie executive in a Mexican restaurant in New York. Jennifer was a part time waitress, dancer, singer and actress who caught their eye. His friend asked Jennifer to audition for an upcoming movie and handed her a $100 bill to buy an appropriate dress. Jennifer cried with joy because she needed to buy a dress for a family gathering. She was so poor she didn’t own a car and took the subway. That encounter led to J.Lo’s big break starring as the lead role in the movie Selena.

Somewhere in A.D.’s yarn, he told me of his brother-in-law who did charity dental work on certain days of the week. Mr. and Mrs. Lopez were an elderly couple who availed of the charity work. The dentist didn’t realize they were the parents of J.Lo. One day he received an invitation to a Pasadena restaurant for a family event by the Lopezes. A.D.came along. They didn’t know it was a celebrity event. They were picked up by a limo and they sat beside a familiar face. “Excuse me sir,” A.D. said, “but you look like Clint Eastwood.” Of course, it turned out to BE Clint and his family. He also met J.Lo’s (then) fiance — Ben Afleck. Later, A.D.’s bro-in-law became J.Lo’s dentist. She had 4 sessions of teeth whitening that cost her $4k a pop. Sadly, diva rumors abound that fame has gotten to J.Lo’s head. Despite her success there is a sadness that has follwed her. I think she’s with husband No.5 … but who’s counting?

Yesterday I heard a sermon from a local pastor whose sister-in-law was a flight stewardess in TWA. Barbara Streisand and her entourage boarded the first class section one day. The stewardess approached Miss Streisand and asked if she cared for anything to drink. Barbara didn’t acknowledge her presence and glanced outside the window. One of her aids rushed to Barbara’s rescue and reprimanded the stewardess: “No one is supposed to talk to Miss Streisand.”  This incident corroborates a similar story about her and other actors from my bro-in-law who once was a standby fireman in charge of fire safety during movie shootings with pyrotechnics. It’s so sad that when many reach a certain level in society, many somehow transform into total jerks.

Where do YOU stand in society? Up there with the people who “made it?” or are you among the “wanna-bes?” Rich or poor,  you can still be a jerk.

Are you of humble beginnings?
Are you of lofty pasts?
Either way, you have a choice
to show compassion
or to be an #ss.

TGIF people!

“Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?”

— James 2:5

Joke of the week

Pet Shop Incident

Shared by Greg of Diamond Bar, CA

Videos of the week

Pasta-Eating Contest
Sent by Tom of Pasadena, CA

This is no ordinary pasta-eating contest. It’s a battle between a man and his dog. It’s not important who won but how the contest was played.

WATCH VIDEO

Coach Lou Holtz’s Inspirational Speech
Sent by Heather of Whittier, CA

Lou said he was born with a silver spoon but it isn’t what you think. Quite an entertainer, this coach. Words of wisdom delivered with conviction and heart.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this photo

The post Insulting Parrot appeared first on Traveling Archive.