Chapter 18: Water

Tue, Dec 9, 1969

Harry Helmsley, Ali & I were taking Pan Am from LGA to PBI. We were joined by Angel & Barry, 2 of our 4 Instructor Pilots too.

In Palm Beach we were picking up 2 Used Cessna 185’s with Amphibious Floats. That meant we could Land on the Water, but we could also Deploy Wheels that were inside the Floats. We could then Land as a normal Plane on a Runway. It was weird though, as we sat up much higher, than on straight Wheels.

Barry & Angel took possession of the Planes, checking them for problems. They were in great shape though.

Harry, Ali & I rented a Lincoln from Hertz, going across the Southern Blvd Bridge to get to Palm Beach proper. At 1100 S Ocean Blvd was a fantastic Estate. It was built as a Present from Edward Francis Hutton to his wife Marjorie Merriweather Post, the heiress to the Post Cereal fortune.

Their Estate in Palm Beach opened in 1927. It had 17 Acres of land, huge for Palm Beach. There were 128 Rooms, with 58 Bedrooms & 33 Baths! There were a total of 110,000 SF inside.

It ran from the Atlantic Ocean on the East to Lake Worth on the West. Thus its name, Mar-a-Lago, which means “Sea-to-Lake” in Spanish.

Marjorie Merriweather Post was 82yo in 1969. She had inherited $250,000,000 in 1914, from her Father, who had founded Post Cereals. With E.F’s help., she expanded with Mergers to form General Foods. She was probably the Richest Woman in America.

Mar-a-Lago opened in Mar, 1927, in time to host the annual Everglades Costume Ball. In 1929, she hired the Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus, where she invited many underprivileged people from the area, especially kids. Mar-a-Lago has hosted the annual Red Cross Ball since 1957.

As Ralf, I knew that, in 1973, in her Will, Marjorie would donate Mar-a-Lago to the USA as a Winter White House.

The US never used it though, putting it up For Sale in 1981 for $20,000,000. That’s when I 1st saw it For Sale, as Ralf. The US balked at the $1,000,000 in upkeep it took every year for Mar-a-Lago.

In 1969, it had been vacant for years though, & remained that way until 1985 when Trump bought it for $8,000,000. He paid 5 Mil for the Home & Grounds, & another 3 Mil for the Furnishings, Antiques & Artwork.

The reason I was here, was because a couple days ago, the President, Dick Nixon called. He had just had Dinner with Marjorie Merriweather Post. During Dinner, Marjorie was saying she couldn’t keep up with the upkeep Mar-a-Lago demanded & deserved. She told Nixon that she might just leave it to the US Government to use. She only used it 2 months of the year anyway.

Nixon said that would be a wonderful gift to the US, but the Government would never pay what it required to keep it up. Instead, he told Marjorie about me & the help I’d been to him recently. He told her of my involvement in Hollywood too. He thought I would be the perfect person to continue Mar-a-Lago’s legacy, as I had not only the resources, but also a Long-Term vision. She was afraid Mar-a-Lago would be torn down when she died. My interest was refreshing to her, as most only saw Mar-a-Lago as an Albatross.

Nixon then said I could probably buy it for 5 Million or so. That’s when I thought to Partner with Harry Helmsley, as I’d have the money soon, but he would be a help now. Harry trusted me by then, so I thought if he would front the cash, I could guarantee Mar-a-Lago would be worth tons more in the future. When I asked Harry, I was surprised that he jumped so fast at my offer. It turned out he was itching to Partner with me, & coattail off my success.

We would be 50/50 Partners, with me paying Harry back his investment, ASAP.

All sorts of other Properties came to mind that I knew were pretty much left to ruin by their Long Time Owners. Some Estates were massive, with massive costs to run them too.

Anyway, I wanted to snatch up Mar-a-Lago in 1969, instead of The Donald later. I was going to go out of my way to Fuk Trump any chance I could. From now on, that’s his new name too, Fuk Trump.

We met Marjorie at Mar-a-Lago. With her was her daughter, Dina Merrill, an actress, who was 46yo in 1969. Dina told us about growing up at Mar-a-Lago. She truly had a Magical Childhood. She took Ali on a Private Tour, showing Ali all her secret hiding places.

Harry had known Marjory for years, so when we arrived, they warmly embraced. We sat in the Dining Room, having Lunch. I loved the Estate’s History, Location & Land, but the furnishings inside, were leaning towards French Whore House. Under Trump, he would put it on Steroids, adding even more Gold Leaf. Instead, I would tone it down wherever possible.

When asked by Marjorie of my plans, I explained that 1st, I was going to create a Well Funded Perpetual Trust, that would Protect & Continuously Renovate Mar-a-Lago. I wanted to honor its heritage too. My Partners in the Music & Entertainment industry, would use it often.

Marjory was sold, offering it to us for $3,000,000, which included all Antiques & Furnishings, as well as the Art. Harry said it was a great price. By the end of the day, Marjory had 3 Mil in her Bank Account! Wow, it’s ours! We would soon bring in crews to evaluate where to begin on getting it back in shape. In the meantime, we’d use the Grounds for mucho Lawn Parties!

I’d also build a Dock running the entire Lake Worth side. I wanted to build it before the Bans on Docks. We’d do it with minimal disruption to the environment. Mar-a-Lago deserved to have a 1930’s era Yacht docked there. It would be a really cool visual.

We spent the night at 1 S Ocean Blvd, the fabulous Breakers Hotel. Harry & I both salivated, thinking of buying it one day. It was right on the Ocean, with a couple great Golf Courses too.

Our 2 Pilots got a Room near PBI.

Wed, Dec 10, 1969

We got an early start, 1st Biking around The Breaker’s grounds. We then went back to PBI. Harry Helmsley was spending the day with us again today. We met up with our 2 Pilots & the C-185’s. We had already watched a couple Films on Operating Sea Planes, so we were ready to start our Flight Instruction.

Today we were flying South to N Key Largo, FL. We were going to try to buy the Ocean Reef Club. I had told Harry how awesome it was then, but I knew it would become huge in the future. As I said, Harry trusted my judgement, so thought it another great purchase.

I was with Barry today. We did a thorough Pre-Trip, getting to know the C-185, as well as the Amphibian Floats. We then took off on Wheels from the Runway at PBI. Barry had me do a number of Water Landings & T/O’s. He showed me how to get “on the step” or “planing.” It helped reduce the Drag of the Water as we T/O.

Before we could land on a stretch of water, we always did a Fly-By to check for obstacles, such as Swimmers, Boaters, other Sea Planes, Logs, pilings, etc. We also checked the Wind & Waves. While Taxing on the water, we would need to be aware of the current too. A big danger would be a rogue wave. Jimmy Buffett almost drowned when his classic Grumman Widgeon flipped over while he was off Nantucket, MA.

It was a blast, as to Land in Water, we pretty much did a Controlled Ditching! But what freedom it would give us. All Water Landing are considered Off Runway Landings, a phrase that scares the shit out of Land Based Pilots.

From PBI to 07FA, Ocean Reef Club A/P, was 82nm & took 1 Hour. It had its own little Airport. It’s Private Airstrip has Runway 5/23, at 4,456 Ft, so most Corporate Jets can Land there, but you had to be Pre-Approved. In 1969, anyone could Land at ORC, so we Landed on Wheels there.

There are a number of Private Clubs within ORC, both for Golf, as well as Boating. There are a few Top Notch Golf Courses, all perfectly maintained.

The Marina is World Class, with 175 Slips. There is a Narrow Channel to get to the Marina, protected from most Winds. It’s neat to see the returning Sport-Fishing Fleet at the end of the day. Sometimes there would be 20 or more, in a long line.

In 1969, ORC was smaller & much less restrictive. Harry had found out that it was For Sale for $8,000,000, but he thought we could get it for less.

The Ocean Reef Club had begun life in 1942, as the Dispatch Fishing Camp. It had been on 40 Acres & had 4 Cabins & a few Docks. The only access was by Boat.

By the end of the 1950’s, it had expanded to 1,300 Acres. They had a Water Tower, but it was restricted. There was a Sign in the Inn,

Don’t Shower until you Smell.

We Haul our Water in, & it Costs Like Hell

They would eventually add the Airstrip, Villas, Condos, Hotels, Golf Courses, & Country Clubs. A 1959 Villa went for $25,000.

I’m sure they messed up the Environment, Dredging Channels, Creating Man-Made Islands, etc. But by 1969, they had already done the damage. I was going to correct some of those issues, if possible though.

As Ralf, I had tried to enter ORC in 2019. No way, Jose. I was told it was one of the most restrictive Clubs in the US, & I wasn’t allowed past the Front Gate.

Well fuk me. Thank God I had Cell Service there, as I just Googled, Ocean Reef Club Real Estate. I got an Agent on the Phone, asking him if I could meet to discuss buying a Home there.

He said he would meet me at the Front Gate with a Golf Cart in 10 minutes. He was cool, as when I admitted I couldn’t afford a Home there, but was Researching ORC to be included in a Story I was writing. He said he wasn’t busy, so we went all over.

But back to 1969, Harry, Ali & I met with the 2 Sons of Morris Baker, who had controlled ORC for years.

Harry took over, convincing the Sons to sell to us for $5,000,000, saying if they did, they had Lifetime Privileges to the Club. He also said we had unlimited resources to do necessary repairs, also improving & expanding the Club. ORC had struggled for years to make ends meet. The Sons agreed to our Deal after showing us all around.

Wow, 2 for 2! 1st Mar-a-Lago & now the ORC. We spent the night in the Owners Suite atop the ORC Inn, inviting all ORC Residents & Members for a welcoming Party as the new Owners of ORC. I told all present, that things were only going to get better, with keeping their costs as low as possible. We would make new money by expanding, but I probably wouldn’t expand as much as in Ralf’s time. I planned keeping it much more friendly, whichever way it went.

Thur, Dec 11, 1969

After our Bike Ride though the Club, we again flew our C-185’s. We 1st flew from ORC A/P, 07FA to MIA, so Harry could fly back to NYC. We embraced, as our new H&M Investments was off to a great start. From 07FA to MIA was 32nm & took 30 minutes. We were allowed to let Harry off at the Gate his Pan Am Flight was using.

Today, the rest of us we were going to cut across Florida heading NE. We were flying to the Northern part of the Bahamas, to a small island called, Walker’s Cay. Cay or Caya is the Spanish word for Island. Cay is pronounced Key in the Bahamas.

From MIA we stopped in Jupiter, FL at Gwinn A/P, 06FA, to refuel, before our long Overwater Flight to Walker’s Cay. From MIA to 06FA was 68nm & took 52 minutes. We chose Jupiter as it was the closest US A/P to Walker’s. Along the way, we made a number of Water Landings amongst Floridas hundreds of Lakes, so it took longer.

From 06FA to MYAW, Walker’s Cay A/P, was 138nm & took 1 hour & 31 minutes. We wanted the shortest Open Water distance we could for Safety.

Walker’s Cay was 1st developed in 1935 by Buzz Shonnard, who was from Palm Beach. It had been uninhabited for over 200 years, as it had no Fresh Water. All Drinking Water had to be Hauled in, or made by a Desalination System. All Electricity was from Diesel Generators, very costly. Buzz had a 99 Year Lease, running out in 2034.

In 1969, Walker’s Cay was composed of 58 Acres, with a 20 Room Hotel, 75-Slip Marina & the Walker’s Cay A/P. There is Runway 9/27 that has a 2,500 Ft long Gravel Runway. Like ORC, it is famous for its Sport-Fishing. There is often a long string of Boats returning from a Sport-Fishing Tournament, also like ORC.

Walker’s Cay lies at the Southern edge of the Little Bahama Bank, with 10 Ft of water at some places, but to the North of Walker’s, the water sharply drops off to over 1,000 Ft! Thus, the Sport-Fishing Fleet, as those are great conditions for Big Game Fish. I think it cruel to Sport Fish, but I like the Boats.

We spent the night at the Hotel there. Bebe Rebozo met us there, as did Robert Abplanalp, the Inventor of the Aerosol Nozzle. They were next door neighbors in Key Biscayne. We had a good time exploring the Cay together.

Nixon was getting sneaky though, as he must be keeping track of my travels. Bebe was asked by Nixon to meet me at Walker’s, to pass on info on the upcoming Viet Conflict Talks.

Amongst other items, Nixon wanted me to find an Estate in Europe for the Talks. He said the Talks could be as early as January, 1970, if things continued as they were.

Wow, what a task. I guess Ali & I will have to travel around Europe, a tough job but someone has to do it.

The Airstrip at Walker’s ended at the Marina. At the south end of the Cay was the Hotel, Restaurant & Bar. The Bar was jumping, as there was a White Marlin Fishing Tournament that weekend & the Marina was full. It was cold in the NE of the US, so it was logical to be in the warm Bahamas, in Dec, 1969. We were lucky to get Rooms at the Hotel, with all the Boats in Port. It turns out that most Boaters slept On Board their Boats though, so Rooms were available.

As Ralf, I knew Walker’s Cay would be wiped out by Hurricanes in 2004 though, just being rebuilt in 2018.