What I wouldn't have given to spend February in FL when I lived in IN. You will be pretty far south--my sister lives down there, so you will be a little warmer. We do have cold fronts come through, but they don't last more than a few days. It will seem warm to you because you'll be acclimated to the cold. As far as clothes, just bring what's comfortable. Most restaurants are very casual. There is a boat from Ft. Myers that takes you down to Key West. I think it's $90 per person, but Key West is something else! You can stay a few days or go back to Ft. Myers that evening. If you like to fish you may want to take a charter boat out. That's really fun. Or take a gambling cruise out. They usually have a buffet meal and lots of slots. LOL! Or you can just bask in the sun and relax with a Pina Colada. I hope you enjoy your time here. Please do go to the bird sanctuary Joan/MN mentioned. We saw the most beautiful sight there one evening. A tree was full of roseate spoonbills and it looked like the whole tree was covered in big pink flowers. (Take your bird book along.)

Second time to post response - please excuse if the first shows up!! Thank you all for your thoughtful comments and pictures! i really appreciate it. The center posts in each set are actually centered between the windows on each side (even though it doesn't appear as such in the picture!). By evenly spacing them the two posts flanking the front door will move more towards the window. Wish I could give you dimensions. The carpenter is out there now in the mud with everything torn up readying for the concrete pour. Anyway, I wanted to state that as it appeared I wasn't clear. It sounds like everyone thinks a larger opening at the front door will look OK? There will be railings between posts. Also I would opinions on the diameter of the posts. I am thinking 8". The carpenter thinks 6". They will be 8 feet tall so anything larger than 8" might appear too chunky. Thoughts??? Thanks again. Look forward to hearing back.

I love porches! I think every home should have at least 1! They are so inviting & so great if enclosed & bug free. My aunt used to use it to cool her Christmas candies & store her Christmas baking(So. Dak. was very cold back then). Grandma's lake cottage had 1 & it had a swing/bed hanging from the ceiling. That is where I spent my time when I was there unless I was swimming. At the corner before the porch turned & went across back(lakeside) was a table & chairs for dining. Lake side had several easy chairs or rockers to watch kids swim or play at bottom of the hill. You are so lucky to have another 1 upstairs!! Jan

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I should have included a bit of back information that would better give orientation about my overall objectives. This first year or two, my main objective is to define the borders of the porch for my two large dogs. Until now, we had a pad and grass up to the pad (pad is the same pre- and post- porch construction) and they could exit the pad anywhere. Now, I want them to get used to exiting the pad onto the sidewalk in the center, because elsewhere will now be beds (and mud and mess and plants to be stomped). That's why I've bombed the front with the cinnamon ferns, to make a sort of visual railing while the dogs re-learn their exit, and while the beds age in with better soil and I get some other plants going (hostas, etc.). For the first year or two. It will be no problem to move the ferns around the corner when that time comes. I've always wanted a mass of ferns on this eastern facing side: My second objective is to create a streamlined mow line. The grass is maintained with a 60 inch deck mower so whatever bed edge I develop needs to allow the mower to move along it easily (I guess rather than undulating what I was trying to get to was smooth curves rather than corners, for mowing purposes). Third objective is LEAST maintenance from a hand weeding perspective. I know it won't be zero, but I'd like to have it controllable without being consuming. Fourth objective is "pretty." I'm not bothered with "curb appeal" in general as the only viewers are anyone coming up the driveway; this is not seen from the street. Eventually, I would like to grow and develop in a pretty foundation border. I got the ferns cheap and they will help my first objective. As I can, I will add more plants and soil amendments, so that is what I'm asking for - where do I EVENTUALLY want to go with this, etc. I appreciate all your inputs! Please add as you have thoughts!