North Palm Couple's Journey to Fun and Adventure

By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life

Photos/MultiMedia by NPBL

NORTH PALM BEACH_Mary and Gary Petty's love of boats and boating goes back -- way back. Back to the time they lived in the Houston/Galveston area of Texas. Gary, a  career psychologist, and Mary, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist, spent their leisure time on the water, frequently racing against other boats on Lake Conroe.

When they moved to North Palm Beach five years ago, they of course chose a place on the water, which provided a convenient place to park their boat, a 28-foot Cutwater they named "Cut Loose." 

Along with their career accomplishments, they have shared a lifetime of fun and adventure, and aren't even thinking of slowing down. We joined them at their home and took a cruise on the Cut Loose. Now we invite you to meet the Pettys. 

Listen to the Podcasts

Mary and Gary are a fun-loving couple who seek out life's adventures. In the following podcasts, they talk about their life and interests, from boat racing and diving to painting and dancing. Not to mention their foray into journalism, writing for a newspaper and hosting a TV show. Carpe diem!

Mary and Gary in their North Palm home,
​which has many nautical touches.

This is the Pettys' boat, "Cut Loose," a C-28 model built by Cutwater, headquartered in Washington state. Equipped with lots of extras, like solar panel charging and a Garmin autopilot with remote, its 100-gallon capacity provides plenty of leisure-time fun.

Mary enjoying a ride on the IntraCoastal

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One of Mary's pursuits is painting. This boat was done in watercolors. Her work has won awards.

In his youth, Gary worked as a lifeguard on the beaches of Galveston, Texas. That's him -- third from the left, bottom row. At 15, he was already a successful entrepreneur. As part owner of a beach umbrella business, he was taking in $500 a week -- "five times more than my father made," he said.

The Pettys also enjoy fishing

Mary and her painting of a lighthouse.

Gary tries his hand at art as well. He proudly displays this Picasso-inspired saucer (Learn more in the podcasts).

A sign in the Pettys' kitchen says it all

Just a few of the awards the Pettys won
racing their boat in Texas.

The Pettys' boat, anchored by the dock at his North Palm home.

​The Pettys' North Palm Beach home was previously occupied by ​Gilda Cioff, owner of the famed Mama Gilda's restaurant in West Palm Beach, which operated from 1949 to 1980. Born in Capri, Italy, she died in 2009 at the age of 102.

Her son gave the Pettys this menu. Prices have gone up since 1949, haven't they?

Gerry tries his hand at helping dock the boat, while Pam enjoys a day on the water. A glass a champagne with strawberries and crackers provide the perfect end to our cruise on the IntraCoastal. Thanks to our perfect hosts, Mary and Gary.