An Experiment

We had cabin reservations for 2 nights at Jonathan Dickenson State Park. I decided to throw caution to the wind and just take coffee. We would eat out, not cook. I had GPT-Chat find restaurants and things to do. I have used free AI for trip planning, so I knew to check that sites were actually open and reservations were needed.

We started with the Rembrandt and Friends show at the Norton Art Gallery, catching it on the last day of the run, with timed tickets from 11:00-1:00. Which I thought was entry time, but was actually our allowed viewing slot. We got there about 1:00, and I was surprised when the guard gave us a 10-minute times-up warning. Truth be told, we’d about exhausted ourselves peering at the 75+ paintings, including Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, the only Vermeer in a private collection. Time to check into our cabin, then an early dinner. (My Chat pal had recommended lunch at a nearby shop which was closed on Sundays. We ate homemade sandwiches before going to the museum.)

Ah, the wind. I love waterfront dining, so our first night was to be at Blue Point Marina Bar and Grill. The wind was blowing so hard, the restaurant had closed. I called our 2nd choice. The manager said, “We tried, but we just can’t fight the weather.” Fortunately, the Salty Pelican, nearby but not waterfront, had a table if we came right now.

What a find. Part of Chat’s prompt was to encourage us to eat lightly, sharing plates. We chose lobster bisque with chunks of lobster in the center with 6 shrimp around the edges and an entree of grouper with mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts. A wine for me and an IPA for Grant. Perfect.

Monday the wind was still blowing, but the sprinkles decreased. First, breakfast at a meh dinner where the locals eat. Everyone greeted each other by name. I envied the community. If only the cook were better.

Next, John D. MacArthur State Park. A lovely slow dune walk (after riding a golf cart on the boardwalk across the lagoon) with Barb, an extremely knowledgeable volunteer. I learned pigeon plum (Coccolob diversifolia) are sea grape relatives (C. uvifera), and that young cabbage palms can regenerate their growing point, which explains why I had such a hard time killing the one growing immediately next to the pool pump.

Lunch was cones at the Palm Beach Ice Cream Club. Right next door was a Brooklyn Bagel Company. Grant suggested we buy 2 for tomorrow’s breakfast. Absolutely, with my sesame seed one in a separate bag from his everything flavored one. Both of us were happy.

Grant was worn, so I climbed Hobe Mountain, 86’ above sea level and the highest natural point in Florida south of Lake Okeechobee, by myself. The tower is closed, due to neglect. (Come on, legislators, take care of our state parks.)

We lazed around the afternoon. I painted in my sketchbook.

Dinner was at Hogsnappers, over the top delicious, but too much sushi for me. My bad, because I had it in my brain as a Key West knockoff. I ended up with ribs since I don’t eat farm-raised shrimp. Grant loved his chirashi bowl. 

Sunday, a later than I’d hoped start, but I was still able to see a pair of Florida scrub jays before we left the park, both banded and very friendly. They ignored us while foraging 10’ away. We might have seen more, but it was getting hot (weather changes), and I had state parks to see.

But first, Blowing Rocks Preserve, which we just viewed from afar. It was low tide, so not much action at the rocks. On the lagoon side, we walked along the board walk. Impressive displays about all the work the Nature Conservancy is doing. Almost gives me hope.

Seabranch Preserve SP is a rescued site that was headed to be a golf course. Thank you, conservationists. We walked a short way on a white sand path, then cut back to the beginning, finding a young gopher tortoise and then redirecting a large one headed across the road. Most of the area is fenced, but of course that turtle walked out the front gate.

Last on our list was Atlantic Ridge Preserve SP, down a neighborhood road and behind a locked gate that we opened with the code we got by calling the ranger at Jonathan Dickenson. Seemed to be trails down more white sand trails. Too warm for us to want to walk them. 

On to lunch at the Galaxy Dinner. My chicken and ouzo soup good. Grant declared his patty melt on Texas toast great and was grumpy when I recommended he keep half for dinner. 

Easy drive home, and I remembered to go to the car wash to get the salt spray rinsed off.

So what are the results of this experiment ? On the plus side, it was so nice not to shop, pack, and schlep food to the cabin. We didn’t have to cook and clean up. However, dining out added a lot of drive time and expense. Since I didn’t want any leftovers, we had to share, not our strong suit. Finding restaurants isn’t a hobby for me.

Conclusion: a combo platter is probably best. One meal out/day supplemented with some cooking and some leftovers. To be tested on our next cabin adventure.