The Estero Bay was the first aquatic preserve established in Florida, and when our class took a field trip over there, we got to listen to a presentation by Jo Hughes. She put together a timeline of our area of the past century. I thought it was incredibly interesting that she has lived there for so long. One of the most interesting facts is that if you lived here in I believe she said the 1920's, you would have to drive to Arcadia to reach the nearest hospital.
I also can't imagine anyone living by the Estero Bay before mosquito control. It was also crazy to find out how there are thousands of mosquito eggs each square foot in the mud at the Estero Bay.
When they hatch there are millions of them leaving the Bay at the same time, and that has got to be scary. Thanks to mosquito control, we're not completely overrun by mosquitoes, seeing how Florida is the perfect environment for mosquitoes to breed and live.
Jo Hughes also told us about how her family depended on the health of Estero Bay, because her father was in charge of a fish house that sold mullet. The mullet numbers have decreased so much that if she still depended on the selling mullet, then she probably would have to move.
There are many bike paths and hiking trails throughout the Estero Bay area, but we went on the boardwalk to see a nice view of the Bay. My advice is not to bring a plastic bottle on a windy day, because it will get away from you, and if you are like me and don't litter, you will get your shoes muddy. There are a couple things you have to watch out for, and one of those things is poison ivy. Some of the poison ivy goes over the railing of the boardwalk.
Jo Hughes seemed like she knows more about this area than anyone else. She really loves southwest Florida to live here this long. Another thing I thought was a really neat subject she brought up was about how small her school was. I think she said there were 2 classrooms. Pretty much it was just extremely interesting to hear about the history of the place I've been living in since I was born. There were a lot of things I didn't know about this area before this trip to the Estero Bay.
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