Great beaches in Naples, Florida

There are a bunch of great beaches in Naples, Florida. Here are a few we like:

DELNOR-WIGGINS STATE PARK

Just take in the pristine white beaches and gorgeous scenery at Delnor-Wiggins State Park. You could also hike, if you'd like, but we just pulled up a spot on the beach and stayed there. It was simply lovely to soak up the sun after Minnesota's winter.

11135 Gulfshore Dr.
Naples, Florida 34108
(239) 597-6196
http://www.floridastateparks.org/delnorwiggins/default.cfm
Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year (Gates closed if park reaches capacity)

Admission Fee:
$6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.

Boat ramp fee:
The boat ramp fee is $5.00 + tax..  This is in addition to the Admission Fee.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreation Area is a Florida State Park located on a barrier island on Florida's southwest coast near Naples, Florida, six miles west of Exit 111 on I-75.

One of the most popular seaside destinations in Naples, the mile-long stretch of white sugar sand at Delnor-Wiggins has been rated one of the best beaches in the nation. The 166-acre park is a tropical paradise for beach lovers, boaters and divers. The beach is a popular spot to sunbathe, swim, beachcomb, snorkel and picnic. At the beach along Wiggins Pass, where swimming is not allowed, fishing is a popular activity. Boaters can launch their vessels into Water Turkey Bay and travel to the Gulf or up the Cocohatchee River for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Kayakers can enjoy paddling through estuaries and scuba divers can explore the hard bottom reef in the Gulf. At the north end of the island, a tower gives visitors a bird's-eye view of Wiggins Pass and the surrounding coastal habitat.


CLAM PASS BEACH 

Hike back 3/4 mile or catch a ride on a golf cart and enjoy the scenery of a mangrove forest on your way to the beach at Clam Pass Park.

http://www.colliergov.net/index.aspx?page=458
Location: Seagate Drive & Crayton Road
Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown
Phone: (239) 252-4000

Clam Pass boasts 35 acres of coastal habitat and preserves that habitat by providing beach access from a three-quarter-mile boardwalk to the sandy beach.

The board walk is a destination itself for those adventurists who love a quiet nature walk. Butterflies flutter around the beautiful green backdrop and very often families can be seen taking in a relaxing afternoon in the area.

The boardwalk runs through a mangrove forest of salt-tolerant red, white and black mangroves. It also has a tidal bay area that acts as a breeding ground and nursery for marine life, wildlife, specifically many species of birds. Clam Pass Park abounds with wading shorebirds, eagles, hawks and osprey.



NAPLES BEACH & PIER

When you go to the Naples Beach, plan to stay through sunset. Listen to live music and snap a photo of one of the prettiest views in Naples.


http://www.naplesgov.com/index.aspx?NID=587

The historic Naples Pier is located on the Gulf of Mexico at the West end of 12th Avenue South. The Naples Pier is a favorite location for sightseers and fishermen with plenty of space to cast a line. It features restrooms, a concession stand with covered eating area, and beach supplies. Fishing from the pier does not require a fishing license, as the City of Naples has purchased a bulk fishing license for the Pier. The beach at the Pier also features volleyball nets, restrooms, showers, and is one of the best places to catch a spectacular Naples sunset.

Things to Do in Naples, Florida

Click here to view my Google map:

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=z_-w_7kBWSYA.kfI2utlljoOo

Naples, Florida water fun and parks

Looking for some inexpensive fun while you're vacationing in Naples, Florida?

RIVER PARK AQUATIC CENTER

(239)213-3040
301 11th Street North, Naples, FL 34102
http://www.naplesgov.com/index.aspx?NID=572

Not open for general admission when the day's forecast high temperature is 59 degrees or lower.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday, 10:00AM - 5:00PM and Sunday 12:00 - 5:00PM. 

FREE admission!

Amenities:
6 lane, 75' lap pool
Water slide
Children's splash play feature w/ zero entry
Swim lesson area

FLEISCHMANN PARK

1600 Fleischmann Blvd. Naples, FL 34102
Phone: 239-213-3020

Amenities: new playground (one for toddlers 1-5 years and one for school age children 6-12 years) with sun shades and a water splash zone, racquetball courts, base/softball fields, sand volleyball courts,basketball courts, football field

LOWDERMILK PARK

Lowdermilk Park is one of Naples' premier beachfront parks. Our park has plenty of metered and unmetered parking spaces, a concession stand, sand volleyball courts, two children's playgrounds, picnic tables, benches, restroom and shower facilities, and two gazebos for rent.

1301 Gulfshore Blvd North
Naples, FL 34102
Phone: 239-213-3029
Concessions: 9-5

CAMBIER PARK

755 8th Ave. S. Naples, FL 34102 (heart of downtown Naples, just South of the prestigious 5th Avenue South)
Amenities: playground, pavilion, green space, shuffleboard, bocee courts,tennis courts, bandshell, Norris Community Center

SUN-N-FUN LAGOON

One million gallons of water fun will thrill children, parents and grandparents alike at Collier County's premier water park, Sun-N-Fun Lagoon! Fun always starts at Sun-N-Fun Lagoon, a key destination by all. Sun-N-Fun Lagoon includes four pools, a long lazy river, a lit splash playground or interactive water feature, five exciting water slides, and a concession stand.

Address: 15000 Livingston Road, Naples, FL 34109
Phone: (239) 252-4021
Hours: Closed October to President's Day Weekend; Summer hours 10am-5pm; Fall Hours 10-5 Saturday & Sunday
http://www.napleswaterpark.com/

Admission Fees:
Under 3 Free
Persons less than 48" tall $5.50
Persons 48" or taller $12.00
$2 discount with a valid Florida Driver's License with Collier County address
Seniors 60+ $8.00

Kowiachobee: Hard to find animal preserve in Naples, FL

While at the Farmers Market in Naples, Fla. last January, we stumbled upon Kowiachobee Animal Preserve. Volunteers were there with a wallaby named Hunter and an iguana named Spunky, and they encouraged us to drop by for a visit, promising to be much better than the Naples Zoo. Unfortunately, I lost the brochure, forgot the name, and couldn't find them by doing a Google search. They don't appear in any of the tourist brochures or web sites for Southwest Florida. And so, we didn't make it out there.

Flash forward a year -- and I'm planning our next trip to Florida. What do I discover in all our stuff? The brochure for Kowiachobee!!

Here's the contact information:
http://kowia.com/
2861 4th Ave. SE, Naples FL 34117
239-352-5387

The Kowiachobee Animal Preserve houses over 75 animals, including a tiger, leopards, jaguar, puma, bobcat, caracal, tortoise, iguana, wallaby, skunks, birds, farm animals, domestic animals and more. The animal preserve is a licensed non-profit education facility.

Kowiachobee is a Native American word that translates to "Big Cat" or "Screaming Cat." This is in reference to the Puma, which is commonly called a Florida Panther by folks in Florida. Kowiachobee is home to 8 big cats, including the Puma Tohon.

I'll let you know what we think of the place!

Get it fresh at Farmer's markets in Naples, FL

Get up and head out to the farmer’s market for fresh fruit and veggies while you’re in Naples, Florida. There are three markets to choose from. Each offers something a bit different.

#1 - 3RD STREET FARMER’S MARKET
The farmer’s market in the heart of downtown not only has fresh fruit and veggies, but also features local artwork. Right near Tommy Bahama’s on 3rd Street So., the market is open Saturdays from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Extension Agents and Master Gardeners are on site November through May.

Madam Mac

#2 - THE GREEN MARKET
Plan to eat brunch while you’re at the farmer’s market at Goodlette Road N. and Golden Gate Parkway, in the green space east of the IBERIABANK Centre. It’s just a stones throw away from the Naples Zoo.

If you’re lucky, an animal (such as a Wallaby) from a nearby wildlife sanctuary (Kowiachobee) will be there. Save room for the specialty varieties of mac and cheese at the Madam Mac booth. Flavors include Jalepeno and Bacon Mac, Garden of Eden Mac (veggie mac), Original Mac, and Magical Mac with Blue Lump Crab.

Hours of operation:
October 27th through April 27th
Every Saturday from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
www.greenmarketflorida.com

* UPDATE * This market is no longer operating. However, there is now one on Sundays at Livingstone and Pine Ridge Road.

#3 - PINE RIDGE ROAD/AIRPORT PULLING ROAD N. SHOPPING MALL PARKING LOT
Across the road from the Publix
Open on Sundays

How American Homeschoolers Measure Up (It's at or above!)

Source: TopMastersInEducation.com

Apples = autumn

Apples are a big part of our autumn. We pick them and make them into applesauce. Yum! My dad and his business partner both have orchards, and so we aren't lacking when it comes to apples.

Two full days picking, slicing and blending apples amounted to 132 pints of sugar-free apple sauce.

Our recipe is simple. Core and chop off any bad parts. Blend in a Vitamix. Heat. Can. Eat!

To go with our focus on apples, my DD memorized this poem:

JOHNNY APPLESEED

Oh, the Lord's been good to me.
And so I thank the Lord.
For giving me the things I need:
The Sun, the rain and the appleseed.
Oh, the Lord's been good to me.

Oh, and every seed I sow
Will grow into a tree.
And someday there'll be apples there
For everyone in the world to share.
Oh, the Lord's been good to me.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
We enjoyed an apple book that shows the progression from seed to being eaten. Print out your own at:
http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/apples/index.htm

This web site also has story sequencing card:
http://www.dltk-teach.com/minibooks/apples/sequencing.htm

Preschool poem #2: Sometimes I Forget

Writing poems and doing a fun activity have been great evening entertainment for us. For our second poetry lesson, we roped in Daddy.

The activity for lesson two was making boats from foil. I pulled up Google images of boats on my laptop to use as inspiration as we worked. The Shel Silverstein poem with this lesson is "Homemade Boat," and so we talked about what would happen if we forgot the bottom of the boat.

Then it was on to test the boats during a bath.


The questions in the lesson encouraged us to talk about various things we've forgotten (goggles for swimming, changing dirty panties, putting away socks), and what we would like to forget (cleaning my room). How do we feel when we forget stuff? Terrible. Cranky. Sad.

Then it was on to putting everything together.

SOMETIMES I FORGET

Terrible things
To change my panties
To bring my dolly and Leapfrog with
To put away my socks
Sad things

OTHER POSTS

- Click here to read about our first poem: http://drivingwiththewindowswideopen.blogspot.com/2013/12/preschool-poem-1.html

-  Click here to read about Poetry Tea Time: http://drivingwiththewindowswideopen.blogspot.com/2013/09/tea-time.html

Preschool poem #1

Poems written by a 4-year-old are just so cute and funny, aren't they?. DD's first poem was this:

Ugg, ugg, 
Tickle bug

Because she's been enjoying Tuesday Teatimes so much and memorized "Little Boy Blue" lickity-split, I decided to start using "A Poetry Unit for Preschoolers." Find at http://PreschoolPowolPackets.blogspot.com

For our first lesson, we read Shel Silverstein's poem "Magic" and then talked about how poems often make us feel or think something new. Then it was on to our own magic (courtesy of a little heavy cream and food dye.) She could have done this all day.

I asked what she would do if she could make magic. The day after she saw "Cinderella", my DD was focused on housework: cleaning up the house, doing the laundry and making dinner. But she didn't want to do those things. She wanted her dolly to! Plus, she wanted to paint photos for me (ah!) sell honey and do her homework.

When I asked her to describe her magic in four words, she had a bit of trouble. This is her first introduction to descriptive words (to adjectives), and so she needs a lot of examples to pull from.

Then, we put thing together.


My Magic: 

Beautiful
Fancy
Silly
Dresses for all
Red 
Blue

I want a backyard like this

I want a backyard like this children's garden at the U of Minnesota Arboretum.

What a fun stage! The curtains are made of burlap. We also had tons of fun using paint brushes and water to "paint" the walls.

Who doesn't like to climb on logs? Reminds me of my childhood.

This use bent rebar and burlap to create a changing hideaway.

What an easy ship to create.

I love how simple this fence is to create. Twigs and grapevines.

A Little Free Library makes this space perfect.

I absolutely LOVE this idea. My kids would have stayed here forever and played if I would have let them. They preferred having this box to catch the sand in part because then they could dig it out from there, as well. The other option was to have the PVC pipe empty right out onto the ground. In another area, water was hooked up to PVC like this to create a fun sand and water play area.

The perfect size stoop for a 15-month-old.

Consider planting easy-to-care-for vegetables and flowers in a Children's Garden. I'd like to plant these around my other plantings.

A living hideout!

Really, aren't you inspired?

With all the data out there about how kids benefit from natural play areas, it makes sense to create them in a small city backyard, doesn't it? I just so happen to have lots of downed trees and branches from the storms of the summer. With a little rebar and some PVC, I can envision a wonderful playzone for my kids.