Weekend at West Palm Beach, FL — INDEPENDENCE CHRONICLES

We took the Independence to West Palm Beach, FL (26 NM RT) this weekend and enjoyed a nice couple of days at the Palm Harbor Marina. The marina is conveniently located within walking distance to many bars and restaurants that are trying to find their feet again during these strange times. It was nice to enjoy an outside bar and chat with other socially distanced patrons. I would not exactly call any of the venues in and around West Palm Beach crowded, as not only do they have to deal with COVID but it was also over ninety degrees this past weekend. We got on the bikes and spent an afternoon exploring the amazing homes and views of Palm Beach Island, in addition to the famous Breakers Hotel. This hotel was developed by of one of Florida’s great visionaries, Henry Morrison Flagler. Flagler was a railroad magnate and co-founder of the Standard Oil Company with John D. Rockefeller. He is credited with stimulating the development of the east coast of Florida by transforming the area into a vacationland for million of people. The property has become a must-see icon in this very prosperous area. It was great to get the boat out and stretch our ‘boating muscles’ this weekend. We only have another week left before we return to California and Larry will be busy making sure she is properly waxed and secured in case weather comes our way.

Just a modest second home on the Jupiter ICW…check-out the floaty toys in the pool…

This little boat has more horsepower than the Independence…she must fly!

A quick jont out the Lake Worth Inlet & the ocean was flat-calm

Back on the ICW passing a shipyard prepping to paint a mega yacht. The scaffolding goes up around the boat & then a shrink wrap goes around that.

Biking over Flagler Bridge to Palm Beach Island we were delayed by the 12:45PM opening

Palm Beach Island is very cute and very quiet right now

Touring the island you find the little ‘split-lots’ where the house across the street owns the beach directly in front of their house. This lot was more of a natural setting.

Most of the little split-lots are developed and this one was particularly inviting with its’ tiny pool & beach cabana

Larry in front of the regal entrance to the famous Breakers Hotel.

The entrance to the Breakers Hotel. The architect commissioned to design the hotel was Leonard Schultze, well-known for designing the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

Henry Flagler and his family with early photos of the final version (1925) of The Breakers Hotel. The first Flagler hotel on this site was called The Palm Beach Inn (1895) and was completely destroyed by fire in 1903. It was immediately replaced w… — Henry Flagler and his family with early photos of the final version (1925) of The Breakers Hotel. The first Flagler hotel on this site was called The Palm Beach Inn (1895) and was completely destroyed by fire in 1903. It was immediately replaced with a finer hotel and renamed The Breakers. This structure burned to the ground in 1925 to be immediately replaced and rebuilt, with more durable materials, into the iconic property that you see today.

The reception area of The Breakers Hotel

We popped into The Breakers ‘Seafood Bar’ for a drink. A different king of ‘swim-up bar’ with a great view of the ocean and clown fish and eels to keep you company.

So great to spend an evening with Cait Adams, our friends’ daughter, who has recently moved to West Palm Beach, FL