Palm Beach Gardens (MM 1009)...
March 6, 2023
The decision leaving Ft Lauderdale is do we go through the ICW and 8 bridges to be raised or go on the outside to save time and dealing with the bridges and openings. Most boats stop at either/both/or Boca Raton or West Palm Beach. We were unable to secure reservations at any of the marinas and remained on waitlists so we decided to wake up and be ready to go at civil twilight. We really lucked out and went on “the outside”. I thought we were in the Atlantic but actually we were in the Florida Straits by passing those towns and coming in at Palm Beach Inlet. The water was like a lake and I know that doesn’t happen very often. While traveling we saw a sailfish and dolphin jump up out of the water and then multiple dolphins swimming. We passed Mar-a-largo. We didn’t go in close to shore. Apparently, when Trump is there, you have to ask permission from the Coast Guard to pass that area if you are a certain distance from the shore. Close by is the Breakers Hotel. I knew it was expensive and Danny looked it up- $3366 per night for a room. We also enjoyed seeing the Hillsboro Lighthouse from the water. Apparently, tours are limited for this structure.
When you come into the inlet, there is a small island in the middle of the ICW. I tried to get a reservation at the nearby Riveria Marina but no go. I was hoping to ride by dinghy to “Peanut Island”. Currently, this is a park only accessed by the water. It was created from dredging material starting in 1918. Its claim to fame was in 1961 while a Coast Guard Station, it became a Bomb Shelter for John F Kennedy when he was in Palm Beach on vacation. Following his assassination, it was closed. The shelter is about 1500 square feet and the county agreed in 2022 to spend the money to reopen for tours but have not done so yet. I will return to see it when they reopen.
Florida currently is dealing with boats of any type including those non-functional in the waters. The issue of moored boats appears to be creating congestion along the waterway and not allowing everyone to enjoy the water. Initially, Ft Lauderdale endorsed having to move every 30 days but they never specified how far to move, so some moved their anchor 30 feet. Now the discussion is should there be a state policy or county by county policy. I think some are behind the 30 day policy but I am not sure how they will enforce where someone is and where they move. It sounds like there will need to be some administrative personnel to implement this policy.
Danny and I considered renting a car and going to Palm Beach to the Flagler Museum- Henry Flagler's home who built the railroad through Florida but decided not to go. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach was about a 25 minute walk from the marina. The Center is a 1st class turtle rehab center. We enjoyed walking over the draw bridge and being up close when it lifted up. We took a behind the scenes tour at the center so we could see some of their patients. One of the turtle, Nemo, an adult male Loggerhead was being released in 2 days. The front right flipper had been hit by a boat propeller and had to be partially amputated. Luckily, we got to see the release with lots of other people! The day of the release, the water was quite rough but when they put him down on the sand, he didn't miss a beat.
There were two other turtles rehabs who were adolescents. Then when we arrived they had already had 3 Leatherback turtles lay nests and I took a picture of one of them. Leatherback turtles are unusual in Siesta Key. We did have I believe 3 nests a few years ago but none of the eggs hatched. Siesta Key usually has a population of 99% Loggerheads and 1% Green turtles. I took a picture of Nemo in his tank and you can see his smaller flipper.
While waiting for the turtle release, Danny was talking to a guy on the beach. Somehow the discussion came around to beaches and Siesta Key. He told Danny how beautiful the beach was there and Danny agreed. Then came the comment, "you know they truck that sand into the area there".... LOL. Danny was quick to explain the history of the sand was from the many thousands of years of degradation and deposition flowing down from the Appalachian Mountains.
Another day we took an Uber to Jupiter to see the Jupiter Lighthouse and Museum at Juniper Inlet. This Inlet is very dangerous due to its shallowness and shifting sands but the lighthouse was really not as a guidance into the inlet but to tell you stay away from the area. The lighthouse was built from 1856-1860 using new lighting designed by Mead. The interesting thing about this is the engineer overseeing the project was George Mead who went on to become a General of the US Army in the Civil War. It was darkened during the Civil War due to Confederate sympathizers stealing and destroying supplies. The lighthouse is considered the oldest structure in Palm Beach County. In 1939, the Lighthouse Service was absorbed by the Coast Guard. During World War II, this place was used by the Navy to report on U boats off the coast. The guide said this was the furthest point east in Florida and the closest point to the gulf stream ranging from anywhere between 1-10 miles on a given day.
We also went to a store we were told you had to go to- Doris Italian Market. It was amazing with the food they had on the shelves and making prepared foods. While here we have enjoyed great seafood- wahoo, snapper, tuna, stone crabs, and shrimp at The Thirsty Turtle, Charlie's Reef Grill, Hog Snappers and Ke'e Grill. Danny also enjoyed his Maddy's gelato and Tequestra brewery's Kolsch beer. Our friend, Mary, from our Italy trip came and enjoyed an afternoon and evening with us by the pool and for dinner. We enjoyed spending time with her.
Next stop… Fort Pierce
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