Thursday Happy Hour on the Beach

Carlin Park Beach
Jupiter, FL
May 7, 2026

 After the heat of the day; the temperature soared to 90, we had a great idea to enjoy Happy Hour on the beach. The day was clear and the breeze coming off the ocean was strong but cooling. The stated water temperature of the ocean is already 77 degrees. It was, then, a perfect afternoon for enjoying the beach. Yes, as can be seen in the image, there was sargassum on the beach, but not enough to matter. 

Osprey Hunting
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
May 7, 2026

We arrived to the nearly deserted beach about 4:30 pm. The lifeguards were still on duty and I was pleased to see the green flag flying--meaning that the rip current warnings had ended. There were not many boats on the water, even though the ocean was relatively calm. That surprised me, but being low tide, I know there have been issues getting in and out of the Jupiter Inlet due to the shifting sandbars and shoals. Probably best not to transit during low tide.

Looking at our Umbrellas
Carlin Park, Jupiter, FL
May 7, 2026

While enjoying Happy Hour, we were treated to an osprey hunting for dinner. The majestic bird made a few dives into the waves, but came up empty. We also spied a manatee a bit offshore. It seemed to be transiting the area, heading north probably to enter the Jupiter Inlet and then into the ICW.

With the water being so warm, I actually walked out into the surf for a bit. I don't normally go into the water, but being as calm as it was, I enjoyed being offshore, well until a rouge wave came over me and got salt water into my wine glass. After that happened, I dumped the rest of my wine into the ocean and headed to shore for a refill. Salt water diluted wine tastes awful! Yes, I tasted it.

It was a great ending to Friday-eve: beach, sand, sun, waves, and friends.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL