Day 4, The Port

We did it...four days in a row of kayaking! Today we launched from underneath the Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach, and paddled out to Peanut Island. The tide was coming in and supposedly high late in the afternoon, so we had our snorkel gear with us. Unfortunately the clear water of the incoming tide did not materialize, so the water was still brown and turbid. Plus the 15 mph southeast wind was making waves break on the rocks where the snorkel area is, and there were quite a few more people than we expected. After our picnic lunch and a walk around the island, we altered our plans and paddled around the Port of Palm Beach instead. What a good idea! We love seeing the activity with freighters, mega yachts, and all sorts of boats. 

We even got to see a Dockwise ship loading yachts for transport.

The boats certainly are diverse in the area, ranging from near derelicts with tons of accumulated possessions (notice the seagulls in the dinghies)...

To a few sunken or boats washed ashore (I heard that there are plans to install a mooring field to prevent this from happening).

On the other end of the spectrum, there are gorgeous mega yachts like this one, with its mast-less racing sailboat behind it. 

We can't leave out all the yachts being worked on at Rybovich too. They now have a huge drydock.

The 'Coasties' flew by us on a mission to assist, and it is comforting to know they are out there.

 

This tugboat was headed out on its own mission too.

Talk about a boat with windage? This huge houseboat doesn't need an anchor because it has 'spuds' (pilings) on its sides that go down into the bottom to keep it in place.

Being the sailors that we are, when it was time to head back into the wind, we used this barge to give us some lee and protect us from the breeze and waves.

So "when life gave us lemons, we made lemonade" and it was a perfect change in plans. We are so thankful that we are able to do and see as much as we do. Tomorrow is a day of rest though! 😉

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!