Lake Worth - Happy Thanksgiving

We arrived at Lake Worth knowing there weren’t any available spots at the local marinas. The anchorage just south of the inlet is vast so we anchored there with tons of other boats. They ran the spectrum from very nice boats to derelict eyesores. The anchorage was very deep so you have to let out a lot of anchor chain. With that variety of neighbors, some clearly not caring for their boats, you really wonder if everyone has followed the same rule of thumb for anchor chain length. It was a peaceful night so no problems.

We were able to purchase day passes to the Palm Beach Sailing Club. This gave us access to a dinghy dock, restrooms, and clubhouse. Once on shore, we walked around town, found a little market and replenished Mike’s Coke Zero supply. We heard that the club opens their Bar on Wednesday evenings so we left the soda in the dinghy and lounged around in the lawn chairs until other folks started gathering. The bartender was running a little behind schedule so we strolled down to the mega-yacht marina next door and had some great food at their bar (Calamari, Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Pad Thai). Then stopped in for a drink with the sailing club members on our way back to the dinghy.

The Palm Beach Sailing Club only sounds swanky. It is pretty much the opposite of a diamond in the rough. It’s a tiny bit of property among expensive marinas for mega–yachts. It has the feel of an old bungalow someone converted into this clubhouse that is determinedly and stubbornly existing in this prime location. They have converted part of the house into restroom/locker rooms. What used to be the living room is set up with tables and chairs for dining. The water–side room is a bar and the bedroom is the office. There is a great covered, open porch with ceiling fans out back. There is a small parking lot but they also park in the yard, cars and sailboats on trailers. The whole place looks as though maintenance is done on a volunteer basis. It’s on the edge of shabby and a lovely tonic at the same time. This morning, families were gathering on the lawn preparing for their traditional Thanksgiving Sailboat Races.

The weather looks good for an ocean sail so we left this funky little spot. I didn’t even water the potted plants and they really needed it. We’re riding just offshore. This tug is taking a line even closer than we are.