First day with a car
Thursday 26th March 2026
After Christine had completed the school run and finished breakfast, with our new found freedom, we jumped in the car and headed to Delray Beach as recommended by Andrew.
It’s good to be back driving in Florida with its 3 & 4 lane highways, staying in lane and passing cars either side; good fun!!, though the traffic lights instead of roundabouts can be a pain!!!
We found the beach road and parked, though we had to use an on-line pay station and naturally the English operators wouldn’t work so we had to download the app first; not a problem generally but it was so sunny we couldn’t see the screen!!! Eventually Christine got hers working before mine so paid; what a lot of effort for about £3.
The walk to the actual beach was short but once on the beach, straight in front of us we were greeted with a big rusty drainpipe running as far as the eye can see in either direction. To cross they had piled up sand dunes to “walk up-n-over”; weird or what? Anyway we paddled in the ocean for a bit; not to cold though nothing like the pool where we are!!
Our hour was coming to an end so back in the car and headed for a snack and a drink.
What shall we do next was our question and Issac, now re-christened Simple Simon (AI) on account that he gives extremely simple, “step-by-step” instructions when asked, suggested a place called “Wakodahatchee Wetlands”. Waze knew exactly where it was and guided us there and we were certainly impressed.
This is an area of about 50 acres, opened in 1996, and originally was a waste-water utility company’s property, now converted into wetlands that are free to visit. There is a 3/4 mile long broad-walk meandering over open water with many islands created by vegitation that encourage nesting and roostering . The boardwalk has informative signage as well as gazebos with benches along the way to get out of the sun. This site is part of the Florida migration route and offers many opportunities to observe birds in their natural habitats. Over 178 bird species have been identified here, along with turtles, alligators, rabbits, fish, frogs and raccoons. These wetlands also play an important part in Water Reclamation. Each day up to two million gallons of treated waste water is pumped Into the Wakodahatchee Wetlands, which in turn acts as a natural filter, returning billions of gallons of fresh water back into the water table.
This was an unplanned visit that that gave us unexpected pleasure. Naturally we were straining our eyes to see Alligators and eventually did. One was pretty clear to pick out, being in shallow water with minimal vegetation, but two (we think) were harder to spot, camouflaged by vegetation and with minimal movement. Unfortunately there is no clear indication on how many alligators are here at any one time as they come-and-go through small canals and ditches but local “experts” hazard a guess at between 20 & 50.
Whilst walking along the broad-walk we spotted some rather odd looking white “things” on top of three “poles”, on closer inspection the white things looked like small bird boxes, a little strange we thought; research later, and the answer* is below.
Getting a bit late to explore and as we were “rather” hot and sticky, time for a swim.
We “swung” by the house to collect swimmers etc then onto the country club only Andrew wasn’t there to sign us in, he’d had to head out to collect Elton from school. The other day the main car park was “unbelievably” full so Andrew took us to a small, out of the way one and used the back entrance, no reception desk here!!! We did the same, straight to the pool, no awkward questions😂😂
We enjoyed a couple of hours around the pool before collecting Elton from his tennis lesson; we’re in charge again tonight!!! Dinner and an early night after a very enjoyable day.
* Purple Martin Habitat
Each winter, Purple Martins migrate from South America and return to Wakodhatchee and Green Cay Wetlands to nest in special houses prepared just for them. While Purple Martins are protected by law under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, their populations are declining in many parts of North America, and over 4.3 million birds have been lost in the past 50 years alone. By providing housing for them, the species is supported by various “landlords” including schools, fire rescue stations, parks and private residents who are committed to this important conservation work in Palm Beach County. New for this season, gourd-shaped houses were installed at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, with the help of dedicated volunteers and Purple Martin experts from Audubon Everglades. These houses mimic the hollowed-out gourds that native Floridians used for many years to create habitats for the martins, who are dependent on human helpers each season. In other parts of the country, they create nesting habitats in hollow trees or hollow cacti.
Each year, Purple Martins will send a few “scouts” ahead of the rest of the flock to inspect the houses and begin to claim spots for their nests. You might spot the birds in early morning or at dusk by their houses, and during the day they might be out foraging and getting settled into their new winter environment at Wakodahatchee