Sunset at Bonita Springs Beach, 12/23/2016

After our beautiful day at Naples Botanical Gardens, we decided to continue our Christmas celebration day (albeit at couple of days early) with an evening out for dinner. I googled "dog-friendly restaurants in Bonita Springs" and the closest was Doc's Beach House (where we could also enjoy the sunset). 

Their parking lot was full, but complimentary valet parking is offered. While waiting to pull in, I checked with the hostess for an outdoor table for us and our doggy, Sadie. I was informed that dogs are not allowed, even outside. What?!? I told them, that they advertise on their website that they are dog-friendly. They tell me, we allow service dogs only...oh yeah, so does everybody! Then when we tried to valet park, we were informed that dogs are not permitted to stay in the car (even though it was about 70 degrees, we have a water bowl for her in the car, we can leave the windows down and she will not jump out and the sun was setting)! John reminded me not to be rude, so I just told them to update their online presence! We left. And I, for one, will never give them my business! Okay, I am done whining...

We stopped to catch the sunset at Bonita Springs Beach. It was gorgeous!

Dinner at The Fish House in Bonita Springs (they have three locations in the area) was fantastic! And Sadie was allowed to join us on the patio where we had a lovely view of the estuary. 

Great service, good food, delicious margaritas, and lovely outdoor ambiance with reasonable prices. We highly recommend it! For additional information about the other locations and menus, check out their online presence at www.thefishhouserestaurants.com. 

Origami in the [Naples Botanical] Garden, 12/23/2016

This exhibit by artist, Kevin Box, "tells the story of origami, the Japanese art of paper folding." The sculptures positioned throughout the garden were created by Box and his wife, Jennifer, in collaboration with world-renowned origami artists Robert J. Lang, Te Jui Fu, and Michael F. LaFosse. 

There are a total of 30 sculptures on display at Naples Botanical Gardens through April 23, 2017. A map with the location of each piece is provided at the entrance to the garden.

We had seen some of Box's work at the Baker Museum, also in Naples, but most of the sculptures here are on a much larger scale. Here are some of the ones we particularly liked.

Crane Unfolding          Rock Paper Scissor

Master Piece

Painted Ponies

Flying Folds          Folding Planes

Paper Navigators

Rising Cranes

Emerging Peace          Spirit House

Light Boat          Balancing Act

Gathering Peace

Miniature-sized works by Kevin Box can be purchased in the Garden Shop located near the entrance/exit of the Naples Botanical Gardens. 

For additional information about the artist, Kevin Box, see www.outsidethebox.com. For more information about the botanical garden, see www.naplesgarden.org.

Naples Botanical Gardens, 12/22/2016

When visiting the Baker Museum in Naples, we saw many works of art by Kevin Box (and his colleagues) at the Origami in the Garden Exhibit. There we learned that many more interesting sculptures, some large-scale, were also on display at the Naples Botanical Gardens. Another bonus for us is that dogs are permitted on-leash in the gardens at certain hours, several days a week (Sunday 9-11:30 am; Tuesday 8-11 am; Thursday 3-5 pm). The dog entrance (you must complete paperwork about your pet before entering) is at the Eleanor and Nicholas Chabraja Visitor Center.

The gardens were chartered in 1999 but did open its first phase until 2007. Regrading of the site was required because it was below sea level and would flood with salt water (which would be devastating to the plants). It was raised 10' with fill brought here by over 20,000 dump trucks! Every single plant and tree has been planted (or transplanted) here since 2006. As we walked along the boardwalk to the ticket booth, we immediately began to see beautiful flowering trees as we made our way to the entrance to the gardens. 

The Kathleen and Scott Kapnick Brazilian Garden features this dramatic waterfall, pond with Amazon lilies, bromeliads, and mosaic wall. 

Lake Tupke, named for a Seminole herbalist with extensive knowledge of medicinal plants and remedies, provides a place for waterfowl and alligators. The Upland Trail encircles the lake. Below is an anhinga drying its wings in the sun and a great white egret.

The Caribbean Garden features tropical plants, a traditional chattel house of the region, and this gorgeous Queen's Wreath arbor.

This beautiful outdoor space can be seen in the Florida Garden along with other plants found here.

The Succulent Garden has some interesting plants. Don't try to climb this Silk Floss Tree...ouch!

Below is a sculpture, White Rainbow Root by Steve Tobin, and the May Peace Prevail work that we have seen in other locales in our travels. 

The Asian Garden was, perhaps, my favorite part garden including the Japanese Lotus Pool, Thai Pavilion, Temple Ruins, Hindu Princess and all of the beautiful sights in between.

These flowers we saw as we walked to the Water Garden were just stunning!

The Orchid Garden was spectacular. We have seen amazing orchids in the conservatory at world-renowned Longwood Gardens, but due to the climate here, these are all blooming outdoors. 

Don't miss the gift shop just to look around at the unique items here. They also sell orchids and other plantings. 

Admission for the three of us (John, me and our doggy, Sadie) was $40 on a Thursday afternoon. During the holiday season there are lights at night that I am sure are gorgeous, but our tickets were only for the designated "dog visiting" time on Thursday. After our hometown Longwood Gardens in PA, this is the most beautiful botanic gardens we have visited thus far in the US (and we have been to many). I love all of them, but this one is extra special. For additional information on hours of operation, events, check them out at www.naplesgardens.org.

A follow up post will show some of the Origami in the Garden sculptures we also saw at Naples Botanical Gardens.