Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Delray Beach, West Palm Beach
This morning, we took our leave from Bill and Patti and hit the road again. Thanks so much for the hospitality! Instead of a slower, possibly more interesting route, today we opted for the more speedy I-75 to cross the state to the east coast of Florida.
Just before 2:00 p.m., we arrived in Delray Beach to see Tom's cousin Jenny, along with her husband Bob and their son Bobby. Tom and Jenny hadn't seen each other in probably 40 years, so it was a visit long overdue. Jenny had laid out some refreshments, and we spent the afternoon out by their pool, surrounded by lush tropical flora.
Jenny, Tom and Bob (with dog photobomb)
Jenny and Bob's botanical backyard
Water feature
The cousins Goetz together: Jenny and Tom
Jenny and Bob's property is a spectacular botanical garden, with orchids and palms and fruit trees galore! I'm especially jealous of the avocado tree. There were no ripe avocados just now, but Jenny sent us on the road with some fresh-picked starfruit. Exotic!
Amazing orchids
And more orchids
Bursting blooms
Tom and Jana at Jenny's
We left Jenny's in time to reach our hotel in nearby West Palm Beach by 5:00, so we'd have time to look around before dark. We booked a place downtown, just a block and a half from the Royal Park Bridge, which crosses the Lake Worth Lagoon to ritzy Palm Beach, home to the rich and sometimes famous.
After checking in and unloading the car, we walked a block to the waterfront and proceeded via boardwalk onto a mangrove island in the lagoon called the South Cove Natural Area. The weather was a little blustery, but the views were great!
South Cove Natural Area, Lake Worth Lagoon
Royal Park Bridge
Leaving the little island, we strolled north along the waterfront for around half a mile before stopping for dinner at E.R. Bradley's Saloon. It was lively for a Tuesday night, with live music and lots of pretty 20-somethings. The burger and street tacos really hit the spot.
West Palm Beach waterfront
West Palm Beach
Lodging: Hyatt Place, West Palm Beach. Normal rate: $300. With my credit card rewards: absolutely free! They even comped the $25 parking. There was ample room to park in the Hyatt's garage even with the bikes attached. Sweet!
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