Visiting Donna and Dad at Palm Beach Gardens

We usually travel to New Jersey in October to visit with Donna and her Dad.  Donna's birthday is in October so it's fun to celebrate with her.  Additionally, the colors in NJ at that time of year are awesome!

This year, however, Donna and her Dad were planning a trip to West Palm Beach where her Dad has a house where they spend their winters.  She invited us to visit them in West Palm, so of course, we said YES!

We flew from San Francisco to Atlanta, where we got the last two seats on the airplane!  We were in middle seats in different areas of the plane, but we were ON!  It was tougher out of Atlanta but we managed to get the last flight out of Atlanta and arrived in West Palm Beach at about 11:30 pm.  We were so happy to see Donna at the airport!  And also very pleased by the lovely warm temperatures at that hour.

Donna's Dad has a house at the PGA National golf course, a lovely home right on a waterway.  The house has a lovely screened in back porch (no bugs!) where we were able to sit and enjoy watching the birds, clouds, fountain on the water, airplanes and just enjoy the gorgeous weather.

We did some touring around the area.  Donna and Dad took us to Jupiter Beach where we walked on the beach and found sea shells.  We took a drive to Stuart Island and had a great lunch there before another beach walk.  The beaches there are beautiful.

We also visited the Breakers - an historic, iconic old hotel in West Palm Beach.  It was just beautiful and we enjoyed wandering around inside and out.

We had lots of yummy Italian food, both at home and at some wonderful restaurants.  We had lots of time to visit and catch up and just blob.  Lee and Dad went to the gym - Dad is 92 years old and they spent an hour on the treadmill and other equipment.  Dad's Parkinson's is well controlled  with medication and he's very active.  It's good to see!  We hope that we can be like him if we get to be 92!!

Thanks, Donna and Dad for a fabulous week and being able to share your little bit of paradise in West Palm Beach!  Love you both, lots!

This is the development where Donna's Dad has his winter home

At Jupiter Beach - we got a kick out of this "antenna"

The lighthouse at Jupiter Beach

Donna and I at the beach

On Sunday Dad took us to the club for a fabulous brunch!

They serve New Zealand wine!

The waterway on the golf course

Lots of palm trees and fountains around the golf course

Pat and Lee at PGA National

Donna and her Dad, too

We thought that this Bentley parked in valet parking was quite impressive!

The sandhill cranes that visit the back yard several times a day.  They demand bread quite loudly!

The Ibis usually accompanied the sandhill cranes on their rounds in case they were able to get some bread, too

A blue heron in the shallows

Riviera Beach on Stuart Island

Donna and Dad on our beach walk

And Pat, too

Riviera Beach

Donna and Pat and the surf

The Breakers Hotel

The entry way to the hotel

Truly a grand hotel with a beautiful interior

One of the many guest lounges

Manicured gardens

The back of The Breakers - right on the breakers!