What, Me Loiter?
Nov. 25, 2008 - Welcome the newest and only full-time resident of the of the public docks at the north end of Palm Beach - the Palm Beach Police Department.
Their new surveillance device gets not a mention on the department's web site. They do list three traffic cams, none of which was working when I checked. But it was fun reading about the people who were arrested for public intoxication and minor drug offenses and the BMWs taken from peoples' driveways when they left the keys in the ignition.
Next time you cycle up to the inlet, don't forget to wave.
Is He Serious?
Nov. 22, 2008 - You know a guy is serious about riding bicycles when he makes it all the way up the Palm Beach Bike Trail to the docks, then ignores the water, the inlet, the Riviera Beach bridge, the Port of Palm Beach, the boats, and takes a picture of his bike. (You also can get a hint from the funny looking outfit.)
Actually, this is Ken Steinhoff of the Palm Beach Bike Tours blog and he is photographing not his bike but my bike. That is my Cannondale T800 touring bicycle. Ken is trying it out to see if it will become his next bike.
I have two bicycles in my living room mounted on a Bike Nashbar stand. One is an antique Italian touring bike that belonged to my father. The other is a Trek 5000 carbon fiber model. They are both all clean and shiny and I consider them and the stand a functional work of art. The Cannondale leaned up against the wall behind my dining table. While I can consider two bikes in a room art, three bikes merely become unsightly storage.
So here is hoping that Ken likes it enough not only to photograph it but to buy it.
Quack House Divided - Can It Stand?
Nov. 17, 2008 - The Duck's Nest, made famous when it was occupied by Florida Governor Claude Kirk back in the 1970's, has had its grounds subdivided. Now you can own part of this historic estate - it contains the oldest home still standing in Palm Beach - that is, if you have an extra $6 million or so.
Current owner Paul Maddock Jr., broke up the property into six lots, reports The Palm Beach Daily News on Nov. 15, 2008. Four lots are for sale starting at $6 million and topping out at $26 million. Duck's Nest, at 561 North Lake Trail, is not for sale.
The reason - "unbelievably high" property taxes, Maddock said.
Yeah.
That's my recumbent parked left of the gate.
Never Would Have Thunk It
Nov. 11, 2008 - There is an old saw that says private yachts are often named for women.
The internet isn't much help on why this is. One person, writing under the name "Elco's", opined that yachts are named for women because, in both cases, "their upkeep is more than the purchase price."
Be that as it may, today I ran across a yacht named after a bicycle trail. The "Lake Trail" was docked beside the Palm Beach Lake Trail that runs north along the intracoastal to the tip of the island.
Leaving Port
Nov. 6, 2008 - I didn't catch the name of this yacht - just the photo - as she left her anchorage near the Royal Poinciana Bridge at about 7 a.m. That's the West Palm Beach skyline in the background.
Morning, Early
Nov. 1, 2008 - Downtown West Palm Beach glows in the early morning sun. The photo was taken from the Palm Beach Lake Trail.
The photos
The photos on the left side of this page were taken in and around West Palm Beach while I was riding my bicycle. Click a photo and you will get a larger image with a short description.