Eileen Connolly-Keesler, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Collier County, says summer is the season of the year when she and her significant other, Pat, really have room schedule-wise to get outside and have some R and R for a bit. “We go back to Wisconsin and people ask, ‘Why are you so pasty?’ Well, we are pale compared to the people who come down for a few months and bake in the sun. Summer is when we work on our tans!”
She’ll take strolls on the shoreline; however, a bicycle ride in their Pelican Bay neighborhood is perfect. The wide lanes take into account a lot of space for both autos and cyclists. Adjacent is the waterside shops, which considers a decent stop for a refreshment. Combating the warmth is exhausting but all in all justified, despite all the trouble now and then, just to appreciate the ride and the season’s progression. “It feels safer,” she says. “When summer comes, we go out.”
“I love being here in summer,” she continues. “I don’t want to leave. Yes, it rains, but if you like hot weather; this is the place to be.”
There are lots of places to see and to go to when not in the waters of Naples, Florida. In the first part of this two-part series, we’ve seen the exciting water adventures that all types of water sports junkies can do while vacationing here, this part explores the terrestrial activities that can accommodate each and everyone in this beautiful region.
The Naples Zoo is a great place to begin. There are lots of protected animals that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. There are the lemurs of Madagascar, a waterway only accessible by boat and the great Florida Panther. There is also the Naples Botanical Garden, with exotic plants from Brazil and Asia as well as themed areas that have man-made ponds and amazing pavilions that are truly mesmerizing.
There’s the Clam Pass Beach Park where you can have a lovely morning stroll surrounded by birds and tall sub-tropical trees that are sure to give you a good leg exercise, plus the clean air is good for the lungs too.
Down further south there is more plant and wildlife to see in the Everglades. Take a hike along the many trails of the Everglades National Park and experience traversing on the wooden boardwalk where you can safely view the alligators and the panthers and, if you’re luck, a rare ghost orchid.
You may also use a bicycle to take in the sights of the Tamiami Trail. It’s a long national highway but it’s surrounded by lots of trees. But most of whom that cross this street are not busy people with anxiety that you’re so used to seeing but rather, pelicans and sometimes turtles and yes, gators from time to time.
And that concludes the suggestions we have in spending summer in Naples, Florida. There is so much to see beyond the beach and the cool summer breeze and the shades from the trees will surely help you beat the heat in summer.
