Chip and I drove out to Everglades City last night to have dinner with friends that were visiting from out of town. It’s less than an hour drive from downtown Naples, but it might as well be half-way around the world. When you arrive in this sweet little village where time stood still more than a few decades ago you really feel like you are being tossed back to another era. Everglades City served as the county seat early in the last century until 1961 when it was moved to Naples. The first modern day settler came in 1868, although the Calusa Indians resided there 2,000 years ago. There are a lot of links on the Paradise Coast website that I encourage anyone in the area to explore. You can still dine at the famous Rod and Gun Club lodge where Ernest Hemingway stayed when he came to the 10,000 Islands to fish and hunt. Also, the historic Smallwood General Store is still operating, and the Museum of the Everglades should not be missed! There is a wonderful Bed and Breakfast named, The Ivey House. We took the pontoon boat over to Sunset Island (the only way to get there–no cars!) and were treated to an amazing sunset…easy to see how the island got its name! There are so many treasures in Southwest Florida…Life is beautiful on the Paradise Coast! 
