Aquaholic: 6/16 The Many B’s of Tarpon Springs

BIRDS

Just chilling on the post at sunrise!

Boat Watchman at Crystal River as we were preparing to leave for the day

Crystal River offered a nice nights sleep after our adventures the day before. We awoke early and after looking at the weather forecast that was AGAIN calling for some rain starting in the early afternoon (that never seems to materialize) we decided to get another early start on the day. We did a few miscellaneous boat chores to get her ready for the day and cast off the lines at 7:30am for today's destination of Tarpon Springs. It would be a 67 mile cruise according to the path we planned on our Navionics. This will be our last significant cruise out into the Gulf of Mexico. The remainder of our trip will be almost totally within the GCICW (Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway). We would be sticking fairly close to shore (approximately 5-6 miles off shore) for the entire trip. Water/Wave conditions were good and we again made good time on our journey. We had read and heard many good things about Tarpon Springs and were excited to spend the afternoon exploring the city. We arrived at our destination (Turtle Cove Marina) at 12:30pm.

Anclote Key as we were coming into Tarpon Springs. The first of the barrier islands. Many boats were anchored in the very shallow and VERY blue/green water coming off the tip

Anclote Key Lighthouse. We think that the boat you see just to the left of the lighthouse was 'Rowe Boat' owned by the Rowes who are AGLCA harbor hosts for St Petersburg Beach area. We saw them on NEBO anchored out there but did not stop to visit

Tarpon Springs has the largest population of Greek people in the United States. The city is teaming with their influences from the architecture to the food. After docking and getting settled in we set out on foot down the streets. It was the final day of a festival that they were having so there were bunches of vendor tents with wares and food in the closed off street. The main drag through town had WAY to many gift shops all of which had basically the same stuff. Not exactly our ball of wax, but we did go into a few of them. We did actually purchase some souvenirs for the boys (Rusty, Derek, Devin and DJ) at one of them. We had gotten stuff for the girls (Chelsea and Lexi) at a previous stop a few days ago.

After walking around town and ducking into an ice cream shop/bakery for a treat during a short rainstorm we headed back to the boat where we rested up a bit before heading back out to dinner. We chose a place that had been recommended by fellow AGLCA members, Costas. It was very good but our eyes when ordering were way larger than our stomachs. Oh well....we know what will be for lunch tomorrow. We walked home (back to the marina) and gathered stuff to go up to the marina shower facilities which were by far the nicest, newest, and cleanest we had seen yet. While walking back to the boat after showering we heard a large crash and looked over just in time to see a boat on a lift go crashing into the water! WOW! It was pretty crazy. No staff was at the marina any longer and we could not find any emergency phone number. Along with another couple who also heard the noise and came out of their boat we did manage to call a number we found on the lift advertising it for lease. We sure hope that the boat isn't damaged too badly, but it looked pretty rough.

Our slip at Turtle Cover Marina in Tarpon Springs

BIG HOMES

As with many areas along the coast there are many huge homes along the channels leading into the towns

Erik with his number waiting for ice cream and pastries while waiting out a rain storm at the busy Hellas

BAKLAVA

Yummy! Greek pastries are the BOMB! We couldnt decide on a slection from the huge case of different baked goods so we just settled on this sampler tray. What we did not eat tonight will make for a nice breakfast treat on the bridge tomorrow!

Salted Caramel BANANAS FOSTER ice cream

During a brief 20 minute or so thunderstorm we stopped in at Hellas where we bought the pastries as well as a frappe and a salted caramel/bananas foster ice cream cone. It was decided that Bananas and caramel compliment each other well and this is to be added to the list of our MANY favorite ice creams

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

Very nice fountain and statue near our marina

BELLY DANCERS

While on our cruise from Crystal River this morning we were reading up on things to do and see. We often do this as part of our preparations when entering a new town. We were kind of bummed that we would be coming in on Sunday and not have the opportunity to have the live musicians and belly dancer entertainment at one of the more popular restaurants (They only do that on Friday and Saturday night). However, since the festival was going on we did get the chance to see some dancers! Erik tried convincing Renee that she should join in and maybe get some BIG tips so that we could afford to fill the boat up with fuel in the morning. Renee was having no part in this idea 😳

BIRTH CONTROL

OK, maybe they were not those kind of sponges....lol. Tarpon Springs is known as the worlds largest producer of natural sponges though. They were everywhere...in the shops, on the docks, in the boats. We watched a short video in one of the larger shops on how the sponges are harvested and made ready for sale. Actually kind of interesting. The other big item produced and for sale here is natural olive oil soaps

BOATS that go BOOM

We were walking back from the office and shower house at about 9:30pm when we heard a loud bank and looked over across the docks just in time to see this boat go crashing down into the water. The lift mechanism had somehow failed :-( Major bummer for this poor boat owner. We actually met him and spoke with him for a while the next morning. Real nice guy who was from Cincinnati. Also an ardent supporter of Habitat for Humanity and retired exec from Nationwide Insurance

BIG BEAUTIFUL FULL MOON

There was a big and beautiful full moon in the sky. This also created an 'Ultra Low Tide' tonight. Should be interesting getting through the narrow canals and out to the main channel in the morning. We are told that this area is well known for boats getting hung up