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If a Beach Adventure is more your style why not try STUART, a lovely Atlantic Coast City, known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World,” just north of Palm Beach and South of Vero Beach. Stuart has an historic, pedestrian friendly downtown, beautiful Atlantic beaches, great river views, charming cafes, and art galleries. Stay in a beachfront accommodation, in town, or on the river. Lee and I like the East Coast Beaches in the summer and the West Coast Beaches in the winter, so the East Coast is always our summer beach pick. Wherever you choose to hang your hat for a few days, enjoy the sunshine and the fun this area offers.




Clam Pass Park in Naples located at the end of Seagate Drive, this 35 Acre mangrove forest is the gem of North Naples. Clam Pass Park is a public beach with a parking lot with a fee, and a tram that crosses a boardwalk through a mangrove swamp. The sand is like fine sugar and the beach is shallow. This is a great, quiet place to hang out on the Gulf Coast for a few days. If you swim or wade across Clam Pass, the beach extends for miles and is lined with sea grape trees and lush foliage. The red, white, and black mangrove trees are resistant to salt from the gulf and the ¾ mile walk is remarkable as you stroll along Outer Clam Bay. The park is open daily from 8 am to sundown. This beach is a local beach and is the perfect place to “get away from it all” but, If you are staying at the Naples Grand Beach Resort, this is the hotel beach.

Most folks that have relocated to Florida full time adjust to the summer sun by being active early in the day, relaxing by the pool or the clubhouse in the hot summer afternoons, and then enjoy the evening in the cool of the air conditioning. Lee and I have been Full Time Florida Residents for about 20 years; and after all this time, are fully acclimated to the heat. If you are a full-time resident, enjoy every moment of the summer sun, but please be careful, use sunblock, and stay hydrated.

We wish all our Snowbird friends, clients, and neighbors safe travels to their summer destinations. We will miss you in Solivita and look forward to your return in the late fall or early winter when our weather is WONDERFUL, our sky is a deep blue, and the activities in Solivita are in full swing. 

Summer Fun:

McKee Botanical Gardens: June 18, 2022 is the Waterlily Celebration in Vero Beach at McKee Botanical Gardens. We have been enjoying this once very popular roadside attraction for years.  In fact, if you go back in the Bella Verde Archives on our website to June 2021 you can read all about the history of this unusual historic garden in Vero Beach. The Waterlilies were beautiful last year, and we expect another spectacular explosion of delicate and lovely waterlilies this year. Please visit the Gardens remotely to see dates, times, and events at: https://mckeegarden.org.  If you go, bring your camera as you will be treated to some lovely photo opportunities. 

Lake Placid Caladium Festival, Lake Placid, Florida     July 29 – 31, 2022
A rare small-town festival in the summer, offering arts and crafts, beer garden, food booths, entertainment and a car and bike show. Lake Placid is known as the Caladium Capital of the World. 

Lake Placid is One of Florida’s prettiest small towns, and it boasts almost 50 outdoor murals in the downtown area. This area of Florida has lots of lakes and beautiful farmland. Visit the Sugar Sand Distillery, Henscratch Farms, or if you visit during the Caladium Festival buy some bulbs to plant. Lake Placid’s attractions include 27 freshwater lakes and Toby’s Clown School and Museum. This little Central Florida town has something for everyone. Lake Placid is truly a day away from it all with the small-town charm and is the perfect stop for folks looking for a day filled with simple pleasures. The Caladium Bulbs are world famous, and produce brilliant, beautifully patterned foliage. If you are looking to add some color to your garden, this little bulb is happy to grow in Florida year after year and will bring bursts of color to your yard.