We've been in Okeechobee, Florida for a month and finally took some time to explore part of Florida's Eastern shore line known as The Treasure Coast. Our friends from Kentucky and neighbors in Okeechobee, Barry and Susan, went with us as our guides. Our plan was a short two stop shopping trip, and spend the rest of our time sight seeing.
We left Okeechobee heading south on US highway 441, then took Florida Highway 714 to Stuart, then south on Highway 1 to Jupiter, Florida. We arrived at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse about 11:30 am and went to the gift shop and found a small replica of the lighthouse to join the others we have collected on our fire place mantel. While browsing through the gift shop we inquired about the light house tours. The next tour was about 45 minutes from starting and would take another 45 minutes to complete. Since our stomachs were screaming "feed me, feed me", so we decided to have lunch first. The gift store clerks suggested Guanabama Restaurant. They said it has good food and you can eat out side along the river and it was a short drive from the gift shop.
Here's a shot of the lighthouse taken from the parking lot.
Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse started in operation in July of 1860. When it was built, it was the only building within 100 miles in any direction. The 108 foot tower was built on atop a 46 foot hill about 1/4 mile west of the nearest beach. The combined height of the tower and the hill, along with a new First Order Fresnel lens would project its beam 23 miles out to sea. The lumber, bricks, and iron works were supplied from the Philadelphia Navy Yard and brought 1,000 miles to Indian River by a large schooner-steamer. The schooner-steamer landed about 35 miles to the north. The materials were then loaded on to shallow draft barges that could navigate the tricky Indian River to Jupiter Inlet.
This is the draw bridge we would be crossing to get to the restaurant. We watched as several sail boats motored through the opening.
Since we had to wait for the draw bridge to close, we took this picture of the four of us. L to R: Barry, Susan, Kitty, and Craig
Our lunch at Guanabama Restaurant was fantastic! If you are anywhere near Jupiter, Florida, drive, sail or crawl to Guanabama Restaurant. Be sure to wear loose fitting clothing because you will be stuffed when you leave this place! Three of us had the Crab Cake BLT, and Barry had the best fish tacos he has ever eaten, and I think he has eaten quite a few fish tacos around the country! The three of us agreed, that was the best Crab Cake BLT we had ever eaten. Aside from the fact that it was the only Crab Cake BLT we had ever eaten, it was truly delicious.
Here's some shots of Guanabama Restaurant.
This is the view from our table. A barge was installing pilings for some new slips when it sank. The crew is trying to raise the barge and we watched all of the action while we stuffed our faces! You can see part of the sunken barge in the lower left of the picture below.
This restaurant not only has great food, but lots of handsome men hang out here. Here's a picture of a couple of them! Ha!
After putting on a few pounds at lunch, we decided to head north on US 1. We ended up at Jensen Beach and took these photos. The wind was pretty strong and the surf was really pounding the delicate shore. No doubt those extra pounds we gained at lunch kept us from getting blown away here!
This is the Atlantic Ocean looking along the coast line towards the south.
This is looking along the coastline to the north.
The four of us again. L to R: Barry, Susan, Kitty, and Craig at windy Jensen Beach.
Really very nice post. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.
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Aldrich Mendal
Florida villas
Addy
DeleteThanks for your comments regarding our travel blog. You made my day! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
Craig