Hobe Sound to Peck Lake near Jupiter, Florida

 We had rain showers off and on all day. The black clouds surrounded us and we waited until the skies lightened up to go the short distance through the Hobe Sound drawbridge and over to Peck Lake, We had planned to go ashore along the sandy beach along Hobe Sound since there was an extra-low tide but the rain kept us indoors. We have anchored off the sandy beach of the wildlife preserve with a short trail to go to the Atlantic Beach with eleven other boats. There are rain chances most of tomorrow as well.

Sandy beach at Peck Lake

View across the Intracoastal waterway

We had a lazy morning while the clouds cleared out and then we headed to the beach after lunch. We walked five miles in a new direction to the south. The water was rough and the beach was covered in sargassum seaweed. We found two hamburger beans and some shells. It was cloudy as we headed back to the boat with black clouds looming. More chances of rain are on for tonight. 

Lots of Portuguese men of war washed ashore

Happy to see half a dozen sea turtle nests marked off

Most of the sand dunes in Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge were marked off-limits

Shorebirds darting along the waterline

Finally, a beach to seek treasures

Pelicans diving in the surf

Pelicans soaring overhead

Seagrapes along the shore to tie the dinghy to

Sunday was another beautiful day as the clouds moved off. We went ashore after lunch and hiked 5 miles to the north and ended up at the bench at the kayak launch at the Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge. We found a hamburger sea bean, some shells and driftwood and some sea glass. At high tide, before we left a sailboat ran aground coming into Peck Lake and now with the tide going out, the boat is tilted on its side. We were hoping the boat wakes would push her off but we will just have to see when the tide rises.

Beach goes on for miles before the inlet

Taking a selfie while we take a rest break on the bench

We woke up to a calm morning so we took the dinghy north to Port Lucie Inlet Park and tied up at the dock. We took one of their trash baskets and hiked to the point while picking up beach trash and treasures. They had built up the beach and extended it out by bringing in dredged sand. We were the only folks walking the beach and it was a beautiful day. After the chance of rain passed, we pulled anchor and went up to the inlet, and headed towards Stuart.