Summer Fun Activities in Naples Florida

The Perfect Solution~ Our Summer Vacation Non-Destination!

This photo was taken at the southern tip of Key Island

Chip and I are having a "stay-cation" this summer. Usually we take advantage of the slower summer months and do a little traveling; either by boat or up to our cabin in North Carolina. This year we have friends staying at the cabin in July and August, and while trying to decide where we might go this year, I came up with the idea of taking a "stay-cation"! After all, there is so much to do in Naples during the summertime. "Let's just stay home and enjoy our own backyard!" During season it is not usual for me to start my day on the computer at 6 AM, and more days than not I drive home from the office after dark...sometimes 8 or 9 o'clock. So, it didn't take me long to get rid of the initial guilt of 'working' from home last week! There is something to be said for doing all my correspondences while throwing in a load of laundry, preparing a nice dinner, and taking a break through-out the day to paint or read. In addition to the change of pace, the number of things going on in Naples this time of year has given us a wonderful selection of fun things to do! 

One night we met a few of our kids and grandkids at the beach for pizza and sunset! "Why don't we do this more often?" we kept asking ourselves! ~Yesterday after church Chip said, "Come on, I'm taking you to breakfast!"--That is something only reserved for vacations, so what a treat that was! 

Last Friday night we walked up and down Fifth Avenue South and just 'people-watched', held hands and enjoyed each other's company before heading over to one of our favorite restaurants for a Summer Special...Another perk of being here over the summer months is we get to enjoy all the great summer specials at the area restaurants without the long wait to get seated! Everything can be done spontaneously! How fun is that? Very!  

I broke my paints out last week, and it was a great feeling to NOT put them away when I was done...which means I am not done! I am planning to paint all summer-- Speaking of painting, the summer art scene in Naples is incredible! There are 15 exhibit halls at The Jay & Patty Baker Naples Museum of Art...and The von Liebig Center downtown is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Peruse the many galleries on Fifth Avenue and Third Street...it could take weeks! Another hidden treasure at the working studios and galleries in The Pine Ridge Industrial Center, home of The North Naples Art Alliance...my personal favorite is the Sweet Art Gallery!  Such a great gallery! Please check it out--and Tell Dede Sweet [her real name] Michele sent you! 

I'm thinking I might head over to The Naples Zoo on the first Saturday of the month [residents get in free]...I will either take my camera and see what kind of shots i can get...Or maybe take a few grandbabies, ride the boat over to Monkey Island, and act like a kid myself! I am also planning a trip out to The Corkscrew Bird Sanctuary where i am hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare and magnificent Ghost Orchid. 

All my Naples grandbabies have memberships to the newest attraction in Naples, The C'Mon  Children's Museum! I can't get in without them, so that sounds like another aweome way to spend the day with the little ones!

I haven't mentioned The Beach Club Hotels Summer Jazz series... bring your beach chairs and enjoy the beauty of Watkins Lawn while listening to the jazz beats of local groups while sipping a tropical drink all the time smelling the salt air and watching the sun go down! Does it get any better than this?

Outdoor screenings of movies take place at Cambier Park as well as the Mercado, The Evening On Fifth continues through the summer months on the 2nd Thursday of each month...and then there is Thursday On Third, too! I am even going to take a trolley ride around town on Dolly The Trolley! Am I going to be bored this summer? No way! How blessed we are to live in such a fabulous town!

Last but not least, summer is a very good time to look at local  real estate! Chip and I took a 'bus man's holiday' on Saturday and previewed waterfront property around town! We were impressed with all the great buys still out there! Next week we will do the same thing and spend a day looking at different new communities, golfing communities, Old Naples listings, as well as beach front offerings. Even when we are on vacation in other cities we look at real estate, so why not do it while we are 'stay-cationing'! Right?

Well, I sure hope you are having an enjoyable summer where ever you are. If you'd like any information about what is happening in the Naples Real Estate market, please give us a call. 239.370.0574

Thank you, and make it a great day,

The Naples Real Estate Blogger

   

Independence Day

Happy 4th of July!

There sure are a lot of fun things to do in Naples Florida to celebrate Independence Day! The area fireworks displays are not the only way to show your national pride either...Why not come on down to the city's traditional parade which kicks off at 10 AM. The parade route begins on Broad Avenue South and treks down Third Street and Fifth Avenue South! There are 100s of participants including floats, music and various give-aways! It is such a wonderful feeling to see all the red, white and blue line the downtown streets while everyone comes together, regardless of their political persuasion to celebrate America! The shoppes on Fifth Avenue will be holding sidewalk sales from noon to 2 PM. If you are anywhere near the Coldwell Banker office, please stop by and say hello!     

The fireworks begin at 9 PM and they are set off the Naples Pier. Many boaters decide to watch the display from the water, which I must say is quite spectacular. If you don't have your own boat, or a friend with a boat, one suggestion might be to view the fireworks from the M/V Double Sunshine, docked at Tin City. $60 buys you a beverage, a treat and hors d'oeuvre's...Plus, of course, the firework show...Call 239.263.4949. ~If you head down to the beach to watch the show, get there early, and don't be in a hurry to leave, as it can get pretty congested. Bring a blanket, a cooler, and maybe even some sparklers! ~Another interesting suggestion for history buffs takes place at 10 AM on July 4th at The Estero Community Park, where the Historical Society hosts its annual reading of The Declaration of Independence.

Whatever you decide to do, whether it be to watch a parade, enjoy the fireworks or simply a back yard BBQ with friends and family, please be safe.  

Happy Birthday America from all of us at The Harris Peppe Team!

Thank you,

The Naples Real Estate Blogger

Things to do in Naples Florida!

There is never a lack of activities in this diverse town, that I can assure you, and this weekend is no exception. The Naples National Art Festival is consistently ranked among the top 10 art festivals in the country! Held in beautiful Cambier Park, there are over 260 artists showcasing their talents. Come on down this Saturday & Sunday, February 25th and 26th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The suggested donation is $5. There will also be entertainment and food court! For more information about the event, or other information about the downtown Naples arts log onto The von Liebig Art Center or call 239.262.6517

Another interesting annual event taking place this weekend is the Annual Collier Fruit Growers tree sale. Head on over to Freedom Park this Saturday February 25th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and you will find more than the typical citrus! A few years ago I bought a Jaboticaba tree--a slow grower, but it has been a labor of love trimming it as it has developed into a lovely addition to our backyard...still waiting on fruit, I am going to make my way over between real estate appointments tomorrow to see if i can find another rare and exotic fruit tree! Who knows, maybe a lychee! For more details please log onto the Collier Fruit Growers website!

Last but certainly not least, and now in its 2nd year, the Naples International Art & Antique Fair brings an array of galleries showcasing fine art, jewelry and furniture from around the world. This event takes place now through Tuesday February 28th at the Naples International Pavilion at Immokalee and Livingston roads. I also recommend you log onto the Naples International Art & Antique site, too!

Yes, there is never a dull moment in paradise...and if you have a little bit of free time this weekend to look at some of Naples Best Real Estate, please call one of the experts at The Harris Peppe Team. We promise you, it will be just as much fun and maybe even more interesting than anything else you might decide do this weekend! We look forward to hearing from you soon, and we hope to earn your trust and future business!

Thank you, and make it a great weekend!

The Naples Real Estate Blogger

Fun Summer Activities in Naples Florida

Well, here it is again already...the first day of summer, and I am about to write what has become my most popular annual blog post: Cool things to do in Naples Florida during your Summer vacation! But, whether you are here on vacation or not, the locals also love this time of year--less crowds, great sales, amazing restaurant specials...May I suggest a few activities that will surely make the long summer days and nights a bit 'cooler'!

How about summer golf? For 17 years, the South Florida PGA Golf Pass program has been providing golfers the opportunity to play on hundreds of local courses at discounted rates....only $48 per individual! Look for GOLFPASS on the menu bar on their home page.

Do you want to be entertained? The Naples Beach Hotel's 26th Annual Summer Jazz on The Gulf concert series kicks off on Saturday June 25th from 7-10PM on the resort's scenic Watkins Lawn (see photo inset) with a local favorite group, Pocket Change. Circle the dates for the other concerts on July 16th, August 20th and September 17th. Also, don't forget the Evenings On Fifth as they continue all summer on the 2nd Thursday of every month. There you will find a wide variety of musical entertainment, side walk sales and excellent restaurant promotions. Or, click on this link to see what is happening at The Phil.

If Art & Culture is your thing, how about a day wandering through the 15 exhibit halls at The Jay and Patty Baker Naples Museum of Art, or perhaps the beautiful von Liebig Center downtown? Peruse the galleries on Fifth Avenue, or gallery Row off Third. Another hidden treasure are the working studios and galleries of The North Naples Arts Alliance in the Pine Ridge Industrial Park....my personal favorites are The Rosen Gallery and Studio, and The Sweet Art Gallery.

Maybe getting closer to nature is what you are hoping to do...Did you know that Naples residents can go to the Naples Zoo for free on the first Saturday of every month? If you haven't been there lately, the bear exhibit is wonderful, as are the giraffes--but I absolutely love Monkey Islands (probably as much as my grandkids)! A favorite way to spend a morning this time of year is wandering the trails and boardwalks at The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Maintained by The Audubon Society, it is alive with color during the summer months...you might just get lucky enough to view the rare and breathtaking ghost orchids. Why not rent a jet ski or a boat for the day? The backwaters in Naples lead directly to The Ten Thousand Islands and some of the most pristine beaches and mangrove islands in the world. It's the Summer of Sharks at Rookery Bay. Kids 12 and younger get in free on Fridays when accompanied by an adult, for stories, crafts, live animals and much more. Call ahead for more details: 239.417.6310.

Don't miss the Fourth of July Parade from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The parade begins at Broad Avenue South to Third Street then marches down Fifth Avenue South. Get a good spot early...there's always a nice crowd in front of The Coldwell Banker Previews office at 550! Later that same day, the downtown fireworks is a show not to be missed. This tradition begins at 9 p.m. when a remarkable pyrotechnics display appears off the Naples Pier...set to patriotic music, it is one of the best shows I've ever seen...and what better setting than watching it from the beach as the rockets soar over the gulf waters! Call 213.7120 if you are interested in parking and shuttle info.

Last but not least, summer is a great time to buy Naples Real Estate...In fact, I think that might be the coolest idea of all! Please call The Harris Peppe Team today to get a list of some of the areas very best buys and excellent values. We would be happy to prepare a list specific to your needs and wants. We've been selling the Naples lifestyle since 1981 and we would consider it a privilege to assist you or someone you now with a Summer Sale in Naples.

Thank you and have a great summer! The Naples Real Estate Blogger

Exciting Adventures in South Florida

About 50 miles east of downtown Naples, heading through The Big Cypress National Preserve on Route 41, lies an adventure of a lifetime. Back behind Clyde Butcher's gallery, along Loose Screw Sanctuary Road, deep into the pristine swamp forest, the understated majesty of the 400 year old cypress trees and still dark waters call out to those brave enough to venture in...

For much of the 90 minute hike through the slough and ponds we walked in water up past our knees...unable to see below the surface...feeling our way with walking sticks...stepping over the hidden roots and submerged logs...at times waist deep in the cool murky waters.  [click on photo inset to enlarge] It was a wilderness that normally I would not venture out into, even in a kayak. Yet there I was, wading through my fears into the peacefulness of  this hidden treasure...There were 17 of us in our party plus Johnny, our guide. Included in the group was a retired couple in their 80's...a mom and dad with their 3 daughters ages 5, 6 and 7...at times the water so deep they had to swim across the ponds because it was over their heads! A middle-aged woman alone on her adventure because no one she knew would join her...And a beautiful, bald cancer patient conquering a fear which in my mind was a day in the park compared to the chemo treatments she's endured.  This was a last minute decision for me and Gina. We read in the Naples paper that this might be Clyde's last Labor Day "Muck-About"--we knew if we didn't do it this year, we may never get the chance again! During the entire walk I was thinking...there is nowhere else like this on the planet--how blessed am I to be experiencing this beauty, and to be doing so with my dear friend Gina.

Naples' beauty stretches out far beyond the white sand beaches and perfectly manicured golf courses...I would recommend this adventure to anyone and everyone who seeks to find a rare and untouched corner of our world.

For more information about The Big Cypress National Preserve, and Clyde Butcher's photography, as well as other information about Everglades Tours, Airboat rides and Kayaking in South Florida, please click on the links below:

http://www.clydebutcher.com/
http://www.swampexplorers.com/
http://youtube.com/naplesproperties


Thanks for reading!
Make it a great day,

The Naples Real Estate Blogger