Flowers in Bonita Bay

SW Florida International Airport Near Bonita Springs, Fl

Bonita Springs, Florida offers fast access to Fort Myers International Airport RSW.  Generally a trip to the airport from Bonita Springs is about thirty minutes or less.  The distance is less than twenty miles from most locations in Bonita Springs to Southwest Florida International Airport.

During the busy winter tourist season time frames can be lengthened to about forty-five minutes, just to be safe. 

Of course, time of day is just as important as distance when estimating travel time between Bonita Springs and the airport. 

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  and 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. are busy drive times on the routes to the airport, I-75, Ben Hill Griffin Parkway, Alico Road and US 41/Tamiami Trail.

For more information about RSW, the local airport, read also: Southwest Florida International Airport

Historic Vintage Homes Antique Homes Bonita Springs

When you have the opportunity, take a drive down Pennsylvania Avenue in Bonita Springs, Florida.  Where Oak Creek meets Pennsylvania, an architect by the name of Christian Busk has salvaged and preserved historic homes.

Founders and influential residents of Bonita Springs and the SW Florida area have often had their homes fall into disrepair due to age, neglect or the elements.  As the value of land in Southwest Florida has grown, the homes have become a detriment to the property owner and are usually slated for demolition.

The homes, originally from various locations in Southwest Florida, have been relocated to Bonita Springs, rehabilitated and restored to their original grandeur.  They’re quite charming and it’s worth it to take a drive or bike ride by them.  The area they are situated in has a meandering creek and mature trees that the homes have been carefully placed amongst.

The restoration of these relics is more than a labor of love.  The man who renovated them, Christian Busk, has a respect for architecture and history and preserving perfectly.  The Packard Home, The Haldeman Home and the Nutting Home are three homes at the Pennsylvania Avenue site at this time.

• If you would like to learn more about these historic homes:  Read Here
• To learn about how these Bonita Springs homes were preserved:  Read Here
• To learn more about Christian Busk, Architect: Read Here

In addition to the renovated historic homes the City of Bonita has renovated the Liles Hotel and the cottages at Riverside Park less than a mile away in Olde Downtown Bonita Springs.

The Mexican Butterfly Weed

First, I apologize for the mediocre picture. I was so excited to see the caterpillars that I whipped out the cell phone and snapped a picture right away before the sun set fully.  Second, this nature experiment started sort of by accident because I took a picture of the plant in Bonita Bay and it had a monarch butterfly on it.   I matter of factly added that I need to find out what the plant is so I can get monarchs in my back yard.  The picture of the plant is here: Deerwood Bonita Bay

It wasn’t long until a loyal reader sent me the info on the plant and I was on my way to the Home Depot on Bonita Beach Road. I picked up a variety of plants that attract butterflies, including the Mexican Butterfly Weed. I had a monarch visit within days.  I saw them laying eggs and today, when I ate dinner out on the patio with Dillon the Villain and saw the caterpillars.  I have dozens of them already!  

We are officially, accidental butterfly gardeners! Thanks Minnesota Mike!

Here is some more scientific info about the plant if you’re interested in attracting monarchs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asclepias_curassavica

Learn More, Read Also: CREW Trails Estero Florida

Just Off of The Walking Trails and Bike Path

Things to Do – Hike the CREW Trails

Just Off of The Walking Paths of Bonita Bay

To learn more about the homes in Augusta Creek, read also: Augusta Creek at Bonita Bay

Beauty Is In The Eye of The Beholder of The Camera

Totally got jacked up taking a picture of this by a not so nice person, at the not so Louvre, who demanded this or that and wanted to walk me to the door.  I asked if every person with an iPhone gets kicked out, too … Apparently, I’m a digital terrorist but someone with and iPhone posting an image to Facebook is OK, I guess.  Viva la arts!

Just like the Lee County evidence locker, the gun show at the Lee Civic Center and United States border patrol in New Mexico, there was no sign that read “no photographs” but plenty of people with the nickers in a bunch when the shutter started clicking. I am so in a database already.