[/caption]Today we travel 7 miles south of our Lake Worth anchorage past the deepwater Lake Worth inlet and through the 10:15 AM opening of the Flagler Bridge. Cutter Loose is docked at the Palm Harbor Marina in West Palm Beach, just south of the Flagler Bridge. From this location, we are afforded an opportunity to explore the lifestyles of the rich and famous.
The tour begins with a hike across the bridge and on to Royal Poinciana Way in Palm Beach. There are more Bentleys and Lamborghinis per square mile in Palm Beach than any other place on the planet. The public spaces and boulevards with their rows of royal palms are gorgeous and impeccably maintained.
- Royal Poinciana Way in Palm Beach
Our first stop is The Breakers, an oppulent resort on the beach. No expense has been spared in achieving perfection at this historic hotel. From the grounds to the pools to the lobby and ballrooms to the golf course, this is the place to be if money is no object. There is a 25 knot northeasterly breeze today. The ocean is frothy with whitecaps and huge waves pound the seawall at The Breakers. Beach activities are prohibited today due to the huge surf and dangerous rip currents.
[caption id="attachment_2298" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Grand entrance to The Breakers"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_2300" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Breakers"]
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From The Breakers, we walk to the Flagler Museum and Sea Gull Cottage, Henry Flagler's first real estate acquisition in what would become Palm Beach. We follow the Lake Trail south to Royal Palm Way, another magnificent boulevard lined with palms.
[caption id="attachment_2305" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Whitehall, the Flagler mansion in Palm Beach"]
[/caption][caption id="attachment_2306" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Sea Gull Cottage, Flagler's first home in Palm Beach"]
[/caption]From here, we return to West Palm Beach via the Royal Park Bridge over the ICW. We stroll through CityPlace, a town center retail and apartment complex with all of the usual retailers and restaurants. Strolling the Clematis Street business district, we return to Palm Harbor Marina at dusk having completed our loop. Despite the fact that Cutter Loose is docked in the lee of the Flagler Bridge, the 25 knot onshore winds are creating noisy and rolly conditions in the marina.
[caption id="attachment_2308" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Sand sculpture"]
[/caption]Today's whirlwind walking tour of Palm Beach and West Palm Beach has been a delightful reprieve from the waterway. Rarely have we visited communities that place such a premium on design and maintenance of public spaces. The sunshine and warm temperatures add to our enjoyment of these lovely communities.
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