Amazing Beauty and History of Edison and Ford Winter Estates and Lovers Key Beach | RVacationer

[Music] we just arrived at the uh winter home of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison going to take a tour of the houses I think the tour we got was outside people in the window is [Music] only but it's a beautiful day here in Florida when it's 17° back at our house expecting snow and ice and sleep and any mixture of the above so I don't think you can film inside but we'll get everything we can get the [Music] head into the museum that's right around the corner and there will be people at the desk please feel free have a seat out here on the wait for everyone okay as we do I am going to introduce this lovely Lush area now this is our garden center many of the plants you see here were either grown or propagated here on the property we do have quite a lovely horticulturalist staff that not only maintains this sector but all of the gardens across our 20 acres comfort in the shade hurry up you got 11 seconds you think that run is over if we don't get it they might never know we're at the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter Estates took us about 30 minutes to get here it's just 10 miles from the campground but traffic is terrible it costs $30 a person for the guided tour 25 if you're not going to do the guided one the Edison and Ford winter Estates in Fort Meers Florida were once the winter homes of inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford Edison built his estate in 1885 seeking a warm climate for his health and Ford joined him in 1916 the two industrial Giants formed a close friendship with Ford often visiting Edison's estate the property features Edison's lab historic homes and Lush Gardens reflecting The Innovation and codery that Define the relationship today the estate serves as a museum offering insight into their lives and ground breaking contributions Edison's talking doll by the 1880s Edison's 10 foil phonograph was a scientific success he began to take steps toward creating commercial uses for his invention 1880s fascinates me that people had the vision to to Imagine This [Music] [Applause] yummy meal at parot Key Caribbean Grill it was all outside seating which was a little chilly but it was a good meal and a good time [Music] [Applause] we were going to go to Fort Meers Beach but there was no there were so many people there there was nowhere to park so we drove on down to Lovers Key State Park it was $8 parking fee to get in it was open from 8 to sundown there's a trolley that picks you up at the parking lot and takes you to the bridge that goes over to the beach the beach is over 2 m miles of sugary sand beach part of the beach is still closed due to the hurricane Ian there was an eagle and an osprey chasing each other back behind us in the trees we had a wonderful day it was nice and warm shared it with friends which made it even more special originally the island was known as Black Island and was largely uninhabited for much of its early history it wasn't until the 1950s that the island gained attention due to its romantic setting which led to the name Lovers Key the island became a popular destination for couples who would often arrive by boat to escape to its secluded beaches the Park's unique history also includes its military use during World War II when the US army established a base on the island to protect the coast and the years following the war Lovers Key faded the threat faced the threat of development as the land was privately owned and its pristine environment was at risk of being altered by Construction in 1980 a major effort led by local conserva conservationist in the State of Florida resulted in the acquisition of the land preserving its natural beauty and ensuring that it would remain a public park today there's 1600 Acres offering visitors a peaceful retreat with its beautiful beaches Lush mangrove and diverse [Music] Wildlife that's all h