Our day started as the sun rose over Fort Pierce. As we continued down the Indian River a dozen small sailboats were staging for a regatta. Mangroves lined both shores. Estates increased in size as we moved south. Many presented unobstructed views of the large windows, pools and elaborate hardscapes. The 12-acre home of Tiger Woods was well-hidden behind a thick privacy hedge. The Carnival Cruise Line AirShip floated overhead on its journey north.
As we neared Jupiter, the color of the water began to change from brown to a most-welcome blue. The size of dock toys was getting larger to keep pace with the houses. Children enjoyed the warm day while splashing on a sandbar less than 50 feet from the channel. Adults were packing the numerous waterfront golf courses. Of all the homes we passed, this was the most colorful -- the bougainvillea vines in full bloom surrounding the arches.
Once in Jupiter, our bridge adventure went into overdrive. Some we went under with no hesitation and some definitely had to open. The stressful ones were those that were right in the gray area -- 23-feet of clearance as marked on the fender boards, plus four feet to high steel. We eased our 26.5-foot selves underneath, thankful to emerge with our windex intact. In the short distance between the two Jupiter Inlet bridges, we got a good view of the namesake lighthouse. The blue Parker Bridge had to open for us to enter Lake Worth. At 1:00 I streamed the Celebration of Life service for Uncle Ross that was being held in Spanish Wells, thankful for a strong cell signal. A few hours later, we were surprised by dozens of pelicans that followed closely alongside us until we spotted the gentleman feeding them fish from a small boat.
As we approached our final destination for the day, the sun sank low and cast a golden light on the eastern shore. The Palm Beach Biltmore Condos glowed. Large motoryachts towered over us from their dockside ties. The star of the area, however, is President Trump's Mar-a-Lago which sits just north of the Southern Boulevard Lift Bridge. As we awaited its 4:15 opening, we had a very good look at the 128-room mansion originally built by cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1927.
Finally done with the last bridge of the day, we pulled off to the west side of Lake Worth and dropped the hook at 4:30. We will make another early departure in the morning and head to Pompano Beach for two nights. There are nine bridges that will have to open for us tomorrow. Our goal is to arrive at the marina and take on fuel before the storms roll in. Fingers crossed.
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