by Mary Wakefield Buxton –
URBANNA —
There are many ways to enjoy watching one of Naples’ (Fla.) greatest daily events — the evening sun sinking into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s usually a spectacular event and can be enjoyed from many venues.
Probably the most popular view is from one of the many fine beaches stretching along the southwest coast of Florida. Just before the awaited event, crowds gather hungry to see the bright colors as the fiery ball hits the sea. As the tip of the sun first touches blue, one can almost hear the sizzle as if someone just flung a pork chop into a pan of hot grease.
And then the “ohs” and “ahs” sound from all quarters — those human sounds of appreciation as if coming from one gigantic orchestra. The sky shoots streaks of orange, pink and red like rockets which are reflected in the sea and, if there are formations of clouds in the sky, they too reflect the heady colors in streaks, blotches or pools. Perhaps it could be described as God’s handiwork in technicolor.
There are also other venues to view the show like the famous Naples’ fishing pier that juts out into the ocean from its locale off Third Street in Olde Naples or by boat from Naples Inlet or even from the Gulf itself which is possible, when there’s not too much wind.
Or, one can buy a ticket on the “Double Sunshine,” which leaves from Tin City dock three times a day or the catamaran, “Sweet Liberty,” or rented pontoons and others boats of various sizes and shapes, (even a gondola!) which also offer opportunities to enjoy the sunset.
But perhaps the prime experience to enjoy a sunset in the Gulf of Mexico is offered by the “Naples Princess,” which is a replica of a miniature cruise ship with glassed inside dining room and bar and an open upper deck and bar for outdoor observation.
Friends invited us on this cruise the evening before our departure to Urbanna, so we celebrated in style on the Naples Princess our last night in Florida. Even though we had heard the ship’s horn sounding throughout the harbor many times as it departed, we had never gone on this cruise. I feared it was merely what is known by travelers as a “tourist trap.”
As we toured the beautiful palatial estates along the lagoons going out of the harbor we were served a delicious combination of roast beef and baked chicken with all the sides topped off with a fruit tart made with raspberries and a lovely flakey pastry topped off with whipped cream. It was far from the tourist trap dinner that I had expected.
The estates (that appeared more like palaces with each prince trying his best to outdo his neighbor) were something to behold as Naples is known for being the city that is home to the most CEOs in America. I told my hosts these homes were so elegant that if one is a Republican going into the tour, one surely would be a Democrat by departure.
But who wants a huge estate? In my mind the best home is the one where one can vacuum the entire house with one plug outlet. A bird’s nest would suit me fine if only I had some wings and could fly.
But it did occur to me as we rolled through the many lagoons that such people spent a lot of money on downright opulence but, frankly, I’m glad of it because big spenders provide millions of jobs for the rest of us. (Wealthy people also hire estate planning lawyers to provide for their heirs which I personally have appreciated.)
We knew when the hour struck 7:36, which on March 22 was the time for the setting sun spectacular, that we wanted to be on the bow. My sister, Georgia, and I moved outside to watch the breath-taking event together. It seemed for a moment we were home in Ohio on the Vermilion River coming in with Father at the wheel from a trip on Lake Erie.
As dusk settled and Naples came alive under stars overhead reflecting lights on land, I thought of my family of long ago and realized I was turning 80 in the fall. How fast the years of my life had passed! Where had those years gone?
I thought of sunset cruises and wealth. Everyone probably has his own definition of wealth. For some it’s a million dollars in the bank, for others it’s health, children, grandchildren, a dog or simply having food on the table each night.
Maybe it isn’t a lifetime of writing about people and places that I love that provides me with my definition of wealth, but, approaching age 80, I know one thing for certain. Wealth is simply experiencing this beautiful world even one more day.
© 2021.
