Day 57 – 2/27/11

Today is check-in day.  We dingyed to the “dingy beach”, and locked up the dingy heading for the airport 10+ miles away.  We met a guy fixing his bike tire at the beach, and he offered us the bus schedule, noting that the bus takes exact change.  We popped into the Publix and got change and asked directions to the airport, using the bus to get us there.  Between a couple of the employees, they gave us the best route and armed with change (dollars and quarters), we were off.  We had barely reached the bus stop when the bus pulled up (a couple of minute’s late, fortunate for us).  Paying for an all-day fare, $4, we were off to downtown Palm Beach.  It is an interesting perspective to see the land where prior to this point we only had a view from the water. 

We changed buses at the downtown hub and we’re off to the airport.  Once we get to the airport we go to customs (per instructions by the customs agent we had spoken to yesterday) only to find out that boaters had to go to another building.  We talked to the local sheriff officers who noted that the office we had to reach was on the other side of the airport, about 1 ½ miles away (turned out to be about 3).  The officers approached the cab dispatch to see if he could help, and Beth said if he could get us a cab for $5, we would take it, otherwise we would walk.  The cabbie agreed, and off we went, although he turned his meter on and it read almost $9 when we got there.  We paid the $5 with a $2 tip and walked up to the building.  We tried to enter, and read ring the call button.  We followed instructions and finally an officer came to the bank tellers outside window where you would pass a check underneath and get money in return.  In this case, we simple gave him our arrival code and passports, nothing else; we had boat and personal documentation.  After a couple of minutes we were done!!!  It turns out that he served in the Air Force and was stationed at the same base as Tim, Lauren’s husband, and met his wife in Abilene.  Small world!!

After checking in, now getting back to the boat was the next order of business.  The cabbie had noted that we could catch the bus on the road next to the airport and get back to the downtown hub.  While we were reconnoitering, we met a man policing the grounds at a local aviation facility.  We enquired on how to catch the bus, noting that we had just checked in with customs next door.  He said that he would give us a ride back to the airport, and Beth asked what would be the charge; he said no charge.  On the way to the airport, we detailed our adventures so far and he asked where had anchored our boat.  We told him we were in North Palm Beach, and he offered to drive us back, no charge.  Instead of the 1 hour bus ride, we were back in 20 minutes. 

In the plaza where he dropped us off was a Subway, and Beth ordered a small sub before venturing back to the boat.  After lunch, we stopped at Publix to get some fresh fruit and veggies, as well as dinner for tonight, salmon.  Back at the boat, a leisurely afternoon was followed by showers and dinner, grilled salmon and steamed fresh spinach.