Peck Lake Anchorage

4/1/15

We wanted to go to the Bahamas. We were all set to go. We told everyone we know that we were going. The boat was full of fuel, water and provisions. We spent time reading the guide books and charts. The weather forecast predicted a perfect window for crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas.

Then all our plans changed because the weather changed. The wind unexpectedly was coming from the north making big waves in the Gulf Stream. The perfect weather window for crossing blew away with the north wind. Friends of ours who tried to return to the U.S. yesterday had to turn around and go back to the Bahamas because of big waves. They told us several boats tried to leave the Bahamas this morning and all of them had to turn around. We didn't feel like fighting big waves, and we also didn't feel like sitting in Palm Beach waiting for good weather to cross to the Bahamas, when the weather was perfect for traveling in Florida.

We decided to head north and explore places in Florida that we haven't seen. We headed out Lake Worth Inlet, traveled along the coast, and went in Saint Lucie Inlet. It was nice and calm. We saw large sea turtles, flying fish, and dolphin. Hooper was disappointed because for some reason none of the dolphin we saw would come over to swim in the boat wake. 

We traveled a short way in the Intracoastal to Peck Lake where we anchored. We put the dinghy in to go to the beach. There was a short trail through the vegetation that opened to a long stretch of beautiful beach. This area is so quiet and secluded compared to Palm Beach.

Leaving Riviera Beach Municipal Marina

The Port of Palm Beach

Old Coast Guard Station on Peanut Island

Heading out the inlet

Our condo

Jupiter Lighthouse 

Hooper enjoying a dinghy ride

Trail to the beach

Biodiesel plant on fire. We could hear the explosions at our anchorage.

Sunset at Peck Lake