This week I’m enjoying the planet more than saving the planet; I’m on vacation and staying in Jensen Beach, Florida.  Jensen Beach is on Hutchinson Island – part of Florida’s Treasure Coast.  The Atlantic Ocean’s been outside my door – waves crashing and pelicans gliding overhead.   Surf shops, convenience stores, and beaches are along A1A and that’s about it.  The weather’s getting warmer and the fishing’s getting better.  This is an area for people seeking a low key Florida experience – beach, surfing or fishing all day, beer and pizza at night.  Not for all but heaven on a plate for many.

I arrived Friday, and Saturday morning headed up to the Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market at the waterfront downtown.   As I approached I could see a lot of activity and energy, and a quartet was playing the theme from ‘Shaft’.   Alright, I thought, I’m all in.  There were people and vendors everywhere – great produce, hot breakfast, and ethnic food – Caribbean, Greek, Mexican and European-style baked goods.   I bought veggies, a whole wheat baguette, and coffee.  The quartet was playing the theme from ‘Dirty Dancing’ as I left.  A farmer’s market with a 70’s sound track is not something you find every day, and this one comes with conch fritters.  If you like markets you’ll love this one; don’t miss it if you’re in town.  There are benches near the water for the non-morning people you drag along.

Saturday night I ate dinner at the Greek Festival in Hobe Sound – nothing like a local festival when you’re in town for a week, and Greek food is the best.  Lamb shank, feta and olives, Greek coffee and a friendly group who offered me some of the dessert they were eating – a sort of fried puff dipped in honey.   Greek dancing, a Greek Orthodox chapel that took church members 19 days to build, and a carnival next door.  Saturday night in January on the Treasure Coast.

The beaches in the area are great – narrow, but with parking, walkways to the beach and restrooms.  Some are guarded, some are dog-friendly, all are well-marked from A1A.  Favorites are Walton Rocks Beach and Jensen Beach.  You are sharing the beach with fishermen, and the water with surfers.   If you’re a shell seeker I suggest Walton Rocks Beach.

After spending a few days on the beach, I headed north again to Vero Beach, stopping at the Navy UDT Seal Museum on the way.  This is a don’t miss if you’re in the area – the museum received national  status in 2007 and is a tribute to the history of our country’s UDT and Navy Seal teams, who originally trained off the Treasure Coast before moving to Coronado, California.  This past November nearly 7,000 attended the museum’s yearly Muster, and is a perfect spot for birthday parties for young (and old) boys.  Volunteers and museum staff are knowledgeable and friendly.

My destination in Vero Beach was Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s hotel, Costa d’Este.  A beautiful hotel, as you walk up the drive and hear the waterfall you’re transported into a world of quiet elegance.  Lunch at Oriente, the hotel’s restaurant was wonderful – a table with a view of the pool and the ocean beyond, each dish a delicious work of art – Cuban Roll appetizer, Ropa Vieja and then Flan de Coco with Cuban coffee for dessert.  The staff was friendly and made you feel completely special;  my waitress told me the chef himself had made my Flan de Coco.  It was hard to tear myself away and Costa d’Este is a definite return for the future. 

Back in Jensen Beach, Thursday night I ate dinner at Crawdaddy’s – great food again, zydeco music and great atmosphere in the garden; the bar wrapped around a huge tree is a nice touch.  Jammin’ in Jensen was in full swing  – an evening when the art galleries stay open late and vendors set up on the sidewalks.  It was fun to wander through the galleries, most housed in pastel Florida cottages, strung with lights and filled with the work of local artists.

I’m headed further south next week, and had a great week here.  My only regret is that I’ll miss the opening of the Kona Kafe which looks like a fun place to have coffee near downtown Jensen Beach.  Anyone who does get to the opening please think of me as you’re enjoying an espresso and let me know how it goes!