Friends

When Pam & I pulled out of Ft. Myers I have to say that Boynton Beach was secretly on both of our radar screens. However, it was one of those things that I just didn't mention to Pam and she didn't mention to me until well into the trip.
Why Boynton Beach? One simple reason. It was the home of Mary, one of Pam's closest childhood friends who she hadn't seen in quite awhile. Of course once we started discussing the possibility of stopping Pam was all over making arrangements to get together while we were there.

Plans were made to get together for dinner on the day that we arrived. Of course Mother Nature had to have her finger in the mix and provided us with some rain & wind during the afternoon and night.

Looking north from our slip during one of the showers.

Fortunately the rain let up before our get together and after cocktails on Tourist we strolled next door to the restaurant for dinner. It was fun watching and listening to the two former classmates reminisce about the good old days and for me to finally meet this person and her husband who I had heard so much about over the years.
Before we parted for the evening Scott & Mary insisted we come to their home for dinner the next night even though they were already hosting four other friends who were flying in that day.
Somehow they made it all work. Pam & I had a great time enjoying their hospitality and meeting new friends as well as continuing an old one. Thanks again Scott & Mary for the great time!

Grade school buddies.

The rain cleared out of the area and left some gusty winds for our continuing travel up the ICW. Pretty much it seems that the shores are lined with one development after another from Miami north. And the  number of boats is staggering. We've seen everything from kayaks to mega yachts along the way. And that didn't change once we hit the Palm Beach area. The mega yachts were almost stacked up like cord wood.

Think of the $$$ floating in just this one location. All with crews keeping them ship shape.

Our only delay came at the Flagler bridge which was undergoing construction and only opening once per hour. And of course we were on the wrong side with a swift outgoing tide that wanted to sweep us into the bridge while we waited. Finally the time came and we passed through.
Not long after we passed the Peanut Island anchoring area where many Bahamas bound boats stage before their departure. Through this area there is a commercial area to take advantage of the deep water inlet to the ocean. And then there is Peanut Island smack dab in the middle of Lake Worth.

Commercial docks.

Peanut Island.

On the north side of the island we found a scattering of interesting vessels anchored.

Back home we'd use these as blinds for duck hunting.

Anything more on the boat and it will sink.

Another few miles north of Peanut Island we pulled off the ICW and into our destination for the next couple of nights. Before we set the hook we wanted to get a pump-out so I hailed Old Port Cove Marina just off the anchorage and found that their fuel/pump-out dock was currently busy. They did suggest that we try their sister marina just around the corner so we did. As we pulled up outside the marina I hailed them on the radio and got no response. I did this 4 times with the same result. Next I called (phone) back to Old Port Cove and asked if they could call the marina and wake them up.
She complied on another line and said the attendant couldn't see us, was I sure I was in the right place? I then described the building and signage to her and suggested maybe the attendant should look out the window instead of at his/her cell phone.
Finally a young man comes slowly out the door and to the dock where the pump-out was located. The short story is that this guy had no interest in being there. Didn't have a clue how to tie a line. And sure as hell didn't want to do a pump-out. The marina price for this stellar service was ten bucks which I'm sure went in his pocket and not the cash drawer.

With Tourist relieved we back tracked to the anchorage and got situated.

Our view of the N. Palm Beach anchorage.

The wind was blowing pretty good which causes Tourist to walk back and forth on the anchor which made this location a good one with all the space available. The rest of the afternoon was devoted to relaxation.

The following day we took a raft ride around the marinas and found the shore access to land the dinghy for Publix and West Marine. Later, during docktails I happened to notice a familiar looking boat come into the lower part of the anchorage. Further inspection (binoculars) confirmed that the boat was Front Page with Gene & Kathy and John & Mary Kay just returning from the Bahamas. We agreed to run by in the dinghy and say hello but not stay very long since they had to be tired from their run that day. Well if you know Gene & Kathy you know that's not possible. Pam brought some deviled eggs and Kathy had appetizers and the evening was started.

Look who we found!

The motley crew.

Appetizers turned into dinner which was followed by desert. By the time the party broke up we needed our nav lights on the dinghy. It was a nice surprise to see some familiar faces and enjoy the friendship and hospitality of the Front Page crew.
The next morning they pulled anchor and were on their way back to Legacy. We hung around for another day before continuing north.