Tarpon Springs

Our favorite breakfast on Osprey, fresh blueberry pancakes!

Sunrise as we head toward Tarpon Springs

Ben rests in the beautiful sunshine

If you ever get a chance, visit T.S.. A wonderful town of Greek heritage, yummy Greek food, good bicycling, and a wonderful place to see manatee. You will learn all about the sponge industry and how natural sponges are harvested all over the Gulf of Mexico.  The winds picked up while we were there so we hunkered down for a week and had a sweet, quiet Osprey Thanksgiving.

 Finally, a weather window opened. What a way to plan life-by nature. Nature helps us to slow down, relax, observe, and get in touch with our own biorhythms. Next, we were off to Caladesci Island State Park. So many beautiful places to see in western Florida. Mainlanders can  only get to this island by ferry or other boaters. One hundred boat slips await people, but as per usual, the weather turned rainy when we arrived!  We had the park to ourselves and I got a personalized tour by the ranger! Armadillo, Palmetto trees, owls, snakes and island history. Geoff and I took a DARK midnight hike to find owls and only found them when we returned to the boat!

Then it was on to Boca Ciega Bay and Clearwater, Madeira Beach and St. Petersburg.  We anchored near Al and Charli's (Always 5 o'Clock) home. They are now the Harbor Hosts for this area. We had a wonderful visit, walk in town, and even an unexpected dinner/meeting at the St. Pete Yacht Club! Al and Charli completed their Loop the same day as The Crossing.