By Julia Yarbough

Did you know the black mangrove plant sweats salt? That’s right. The variety excretes salt through its leaves–salt we can eat. Needless to say, who would choose to do this? But it is one of the many interesting tidbits I learned during a weekend excursion to Palm Beach County for a little mental and physical re-charging. An hour’s drive north from my home in Broward, my stops in Delray Beach, West Palm Beach and Singer Island allowed me to do just that.

In honor of the country electing our first African-American president, I decided it was time I learned a bit more about South Florida’s African-American cultural history. I began my weekend with a visit to The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum (www.spadymuseum.org), which is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and heritage of Florida. It sits just off I-95 and Atlantic Boulevard in Delray Beach, in the heart of what was once known as “Colored Town” (the city center for commercial business within the African-American community).

The quaint home was built in 1926 by Dr. Solomon D. Spady, one of the earliest and most prominent educators in Delray Beach. A visit to the museum will give you a terrific overview of the city’s history. My favorite item: a look back at the famous LaFrance Hotel. Charles and Francenia Patrick opened the establishment in 1949. It was the only hotel in the area that welcomed African-Americans during times of segregation!

A visit to the Palm Beach County History Museum (www.historicalsocietypbc.com) in West Palm Beach rounded out my knowledge of South Florida events and the people who shaped our region. For example, I learned more about the massive storm of ’28 that claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people, most of whom were African-American migrant farm workers.

With my mind nourished, it was time to head outdoors for an afternoon of kayaking. My destination: John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. (www.macarthurbeach.org). A short drive east on PGA Boulevard dropped me right into the 325-acre park on Singer Island. I met up with my park ranger for a three-hour paddle around Munyon Island. Famous for its resort hotel The Hygeia, which fire destroyed in 1915, the island today is home to a thriving population of plant, marine and bird life.

It was low tide when I put in so at several spots I climbed out and pulled my kayak across sandbars and mud flats. But once in deeper waters, I encountered a smooth and relaxing paddle under clear skies and mild temperatures.

This really is an exceptional time to call South Florida home!

As I glided across the water of Lake Worth, I spotted several horseshoe crabs scooting by and a number of ospreys were enjoying the day just as much.

Black, red, and white mangroves line the island, making you feel as if you have escaped to another world. You would never know you are just miles from beachfront development and busy I-95.

If you need a break, simply dock your kayak on the beach and a few short steps away you will find a boardwalk leading to a nature trail. It winds through a tropical and subtropical jungle that is teeming with life, including dozens of birds flying overhead. Along the trail are plenty of intricately spun webs housing numerous species of spiders. I even spotted a snake making its way through the underbrush!

My favorite wildlife encounter, though, was the delicate and beautiful orange Julia butterfly. Several fluttered along the trail with me. Ah–perfection.

A quick weekend getaway is as easy as filling up the gas tank and heading north!