We had seen a Trip Advisor listing under “Attractions” in Naples describing the site of an early 1900’s Pineapple Plantation.
Click Read More below right...
Click Read More below right...
The review noted that by saying if you wanted to see the ruins of the Pineapple Plantation house you could gain access to the Key Marco gated community which had very upscale houses, beautiful grounds and that previous visitors had seen bobcats, turtles, and other wildlife. The houses were indeed those of the 1% and the grounds lovely but the only wildlife we saw were a few juvenile Ibis.
As it was then approaching lunchtime we checked Google maps for nearby restaurants and decided on Marker 8.5 Restaurant in Goodland. It turned out to be a great restaurant which is very funky place right on the water with great food. After lunch we sat on the dock for a bit and then took a walk to check out the neighborhood. The dwellings in Goodland are very different from what we had just seen at Key Marco! Most of the houses are small or stationary single-wide trailers (sometimes called Park Models) with screened porches. Most back onto canals with boat docks. Many of them lovingly painted and decorated.
It was the kind of day that we really enjoy - just taking it as it comes and seeing where we end up.