I’m a fan of Jupiter. Not just because it is convenient as heck with a three-hour direct flight from Boston to West Palm on Jet Blue. Jupiter is a small beachy town with bike paths, nesting turtles, and lovely beaches. It is active and vibrant with an easy-going mind-set. The vibe is low-key with a slow tempo. This is something I am appreciating more and more these days. My parents are snow birds and have been making the migration to Jupiter for the past seven years or so. My son and I are the fortunate ones to visit a warm sunny place each winter with the absolute gift of grandparent time. Jupiter is becoming more familiar to me with each visit which has me returning to my favorite spots and discovering new ones as well. Life is simple with the motto of taking each day as it comes. Waking up to blue skies and warmer temperatures than what New England tends to deliver this time of year is not a bad way to start your day. It always feels like a Friday!
A cocktail sunset cruise along the Jupiter Inlet is a perfect end to a day. It is like a Sunday drive with no where to be and no schedule. One marvels at the rich and famous homes tucked along the waters edge as you cruise at cocktail speed. At times you just get a sneak peek to the homes through the beautiful banyan trees and colorful tropical landscapes. Each home is different with its own stamp of style. I love the low crawling style homes that blend into the environment but they are far from subtle. The sun setting makes everything glisten and a calmness is present. I enjoy every opportunity to take this cruise! Jupiter offers many options for taking cruises and tours of the Inlet if you do not have access to a boat.
Sailfish Marina, a tropical setting located in Palm Beach Shores is a lovely spot to enjoy waterfront dining. It is a fisherman’s destination but it is also certainly a place for families to enjoy the coastal scenery. Kids can feed the fish off the docks and parents can stroll the eclectic mix of craft tables set up by local artists selling their wares.
The Loggerhead Marinelife Center strictly focuses on ocean and turtle conservation. It is a wonderful place educating, researching, and rehabilitating sea turtles eventually returning them back to their habitat in good health. The center has an annual celebration called the Turtlefest. A festival we don’t miss if our timing is right. It’s a wonderful opportunity for children and adults to learn about marine life, conservation, and everything about turtles. We enjoy at least one if not two trips to the center when we are visiting Jupiter. The center is about to undergo a large renovation. I can’t wait to see the changes!
Fishing is an art. One must know the rules and the subtleties in fishing to play the game. My father is a true salty man of the sea. I have had plenty of childhood memories filled with fishing, scrubbing boats, and wondering when we will head home. We would wake before sunrise and return after sunset. Fishing teaches you patience, appreciation, and respect for the ocean. This week my son fished and had the taste of the chase. He had time learning from one of the best. Life lessons from your grandpa are worth the weight of gold!
Something new and a day to remember. We headed to Jonathon Dickinson State Park for an outdoor activity. Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a 11,000 acre park offering land and water activities. We decided on canoeing by default since the kayaks were all taken by the time we arrived. $26 for a three person canoe for two hours of water exploring seems reasonable. We set off for our adventure but not before noticing the crocodile warning sign. This set a tone of nervousness but we were assured by the trusting staff that the crocodiles were well fed (really?!) and are accustomed to the activity. We canoed for 45 minutes in a small circle just beyond the loading dock. We saw two crocodiles and rowed to safety! We canoed, we conquered and can tell the story. Next time we may opt for a land activity.
I have a list of great places to eat here in Jupiter and I tend to want to return to those favorites. Not this time. Leftovers Cafe is the sister restaurant to the Food Shack (awesome!). They had me at the front door with the sticker covered entry way creating a skate/surf kind of vibe. The interior wall space is wrapped with street art graffiti. The food is fresh, creative, and generously portioned which allows for sharing. I highly recommend the sweet potato encrusted tilefish. I’m on the hunt for the recipe!
