On the second floor of Sanibel Island’s famed Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum (www.shellmuseum.org), just a few feet above where Hurricane Ian swept through and ripped away their aquariums, gift shop and more this past September, there’s a photography show featuring scenes people took of the hurricane’s effects on the area.

One shot of three White Pelicans rising up from the aftermath struck me. I told museum Director Sam Ankerson so and he said, “Yes. It just looks like hope, doesn’t it? We’re getting more and more submissions that move past the destruction and focus on the hope.”

After touring the Greater Fort Myers beach region recently I left with, yes, shock over just how destructive that storm was and how much still needs to be done; but more so with the sense of a community acting with a passion to rise again.

Which made this Blizzard of 78 survivor who has strong, strong feelings about “lookie-loo” tourists visiting devastated spots to think anew. Because while Greater Fort Myers is still fighting and building its way back, it’s also recovering in a way that makes a visit feel right.

So, is it time to visit? Yes, it is.

It’s not your usual Fort Myers Beach escape. Along the beaches, the views of destruction remain jarring. But everywhere, like that photo of those pelicans, are signs of hope and rebirth.

While I usually like a beachside stay when visiting the region, this time I was tucked into the Hilton Garden Inn, inland like most of the hotels open during my visit. (Seaside resorts are working their way back. You’ll find updates on openings at /www.visitfortmyers.com). It’s comfortable and well located.

The recovery scene was one of awe — and fun.

Nature and fun: At Bonita Springs Wonder Gardens (wondergardens.org), where storm damage was thankfully minimal, I meandered along a lovely path that took me up close with birds, alligators, and more. It’s pretty and historic (it’s been a roadside attraction since 1936), too.

Over on Sanibel Island, The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge (https://www.fws.gov/refuge/jn-ding-darling) I saw proof of why this area will recover. A group of local volunteers — many of whom lost their own homes in the storm — were there all day clearing, cleaning and repairing. In the heat of the sun and with smiles on their faces, they worked to help the Refuge reopen, which it did.

You can once again kayak, paddleboard or canoe through the glorious mangroves with Tarpon Bay Explorers (https://tarponbayex

plorers.com). Those mangroves look a bit different: the storm sapped them of their color.

But there are already pops of green. Nature has a way to coming back.

At the Six Mile Cypress Slough Reserve (https://www.sloughpreserve.org) the boardwalks along lovely waters and through tropical forests are open again. There are tours throughout the day, but walking it alone works well too — the signage is great.

History: With less focus on the coast on this trip, I turned inland and found intriguing history in Bonita Springs. There are walking tours and drop-in times for spots like the McSwain House. There’s the Shangri-La, where you can dine, spa and even stay the night (and learn about how the glitterati once came there to dry out.) You can learn more — and see a lot — via the Bonita Springs Historical Society (http://bonitaspringshistoricalsociety.org)

And the amazing Edison and Ford Winter Estates (https://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org) had relatively minor damage and is up and running — worthy of at least a half day of exploring.

Do stop in to Sun Harvest Citrus (https://www.sunharvestcitrus.com) one of the nation’s best orange suppliers — and plan on having a soft serve orange.

Dining Is something you never need worry about here: both inland and on the water, there are endless and diverse choices. On Sanibel, popular Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grill (https://www.docfords.com/sanibel-island/) has reopened and it feels like the good old days in there. And all over, more inland spots are thriving, like Bruno’s of Brooklyn (https://www.brunosofbrooklyn.com) in downtown Fort Myers. Just blocks from the waterfront, it’s tucked into a cool little city worth visiting.

And along Fort Myers Beach, where the devastation feels endless and almost everywhere you look is a construction site, something beautiful has happened.

Food trucks have popped up where beloved dining spots once stood. They’re busy with workers and yes, tourists taking in the scene.

It reminds me of the aftermath of a terrible forest fire. The ground is scorched and the world feels broken. But all of a sudden, beautiful little green trees sprout here and there, reminding us that rebirth is coming. It is here, too.