Monday May 8th we hung out at the marina until 11am and then departed for the West End of Grand Bahama Island. The cruise was only about 29 miles and the conditions were ideal. Sunny, light winds and pleasant temperatures not to mention we were going straight to an anchorage. The trip was completely uneventful as we did not get even a single strike on the fish pole.
We pulled into a man made cut and canal system thathad been done decades ago. All the roads are in complete with stop signs but not a single structure has been built. Really quite odd but provided a great protected and quiet anchorage. There was three other boats in the anchorage. We hopped into the dinghy and headed to Old Bahama Bay Marina on the very west end of the island.
This is where all the big yachts and sport fish boats come into or leave out of. Very nice development. They also have nice land accommodations for the land lubbers. We met a couple of guys that were there moving a large yacht back to Florida who were quite fun. We were invited back to their boat for a barbecue but we did not want to make the four mile dinghy ride back to the mother ship in the dark.
We went to bed expecting a very calm quiet sleep. And it was until about 2am when we were attacked by mosquitoes that had somehow got their way into the aft cabin. After going on the assault trying to kill as many as possible we gave up the fight, turned on the fan and finally went back to sleep. As I have always said, “sleep is overrated.” The next morning we were on our way at 6:30am to make the crossing. The weather and sea state was about ideal except again no luck on the fish pole.
We arrived Lake Worth Inlet at 3:30. We stopped at the fuel barge and picked up a couple gallons of diesel. Fortunately we only bought 150 gallons in the Bahamas. We then headed down the ICW and went to anchor. Sue’s brother Andy came to visit and have dinner on the boat. He ended up staying the night. In the morning we moved Next Chapter to the City of West Palm Beach day dock. It is right downtown and best yet free. Only stipulation is you can’t stay overnight. We wound up staying three nights as there is so much to do. We went to the Flagler Museum which was his house completely restored with 95% of the original furnishings. We learned that Flagler was one of the unspoken icons of the men who built America. He was one of the original major shareholders of Standard Oil. John Rockefeller is on record stating that if it was not for Flagler Standard Oil would have never been so successful. The house is all done in the extravagant Guilded style. Opulent to the max. Even in its time it was considered museum quality.
As many know West Palm Beach is well just west of Palm Beach where some of the richest people in the world own property. Someone told me that the combined wealth of the property owners is that of 1/3 of all the private wealth in the country. Riding thru the streets it doesn’t take long to believe that. If you are in doubt just take a stroll down Worth Avenue. The doors of some of the most exclusive shops in the world open to the Avenue lined with exotic cars like diamonds adoring a bracelet. On our last night we had the great fortune of hosting our nephew Mason and Sue’s sister Mary for dinner. Later her brother Andy and Brenda came to visit.
It was great hearing Mason talk about all his accomplishments dreams and ambitions. Oh to be young again. After dinner we walked into town where they had a great cover band playing in the street. Everyone had a great time. We really loved rubbing elbows the rich and famous. I know many tend to look down on them but hey that is what is so great about this country. Opportunity!
A humongous Kapok Tree
The house had every modern amenity of the day
Some interesting facts about this house which by the way was 100,000 sq ft, was worth $100,000,000 in the day and was built in 18 months. Construction went on 24 hours a day by 100’s of craftsmen. Much of the interior finishing were fabricated off site, brought in and installed. This ceiling mural was one of them. All the plaster relief moldings were done much the same way. And if that is not enough it was wired by Thomas Edison!
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