We left Steinhatche on November 11 at 6 AM (still dark) and made the run to Tarpon Springs. Started out beautifully with not much sea or wind but that changed after a couple hours. So for about 5-6 hours, we bounced around a bit-Bob steered from the bridge, I navigated from below. We had moved the GPS and computer down in the event the weather got worse. But, we made it to Tarpon Springs just at dark. Marina office was closed and we couldn't find our assigned slip so we just took an empty one. Naturally, when we were all tied down, the people from the next boat came back and told us we were in the wrong slip ! It was okay though, we stayed put until morning and then moved.
Sorry, no pictures as one of the people on board dropped the camera overboard. Even though Bob retrieved it, it was full of salt water. The card was salvaged and hopefully those pictures will be okay.
Since Monday was a holiday, we played tourist and went to the sponge museum and saw the movie on that industry. It was started in the early 1900's when some Greeks discovered that the Gulf of Mexico had large sponge beds which rivaled that of their home country. As a result, more Greeks immigrated to the area. Today, they supply sponges to retailers and wholesalers. Naturally, we bought some sponges since we are now experts on the subject.
Tarpon Springs is a town with lots of Greek music and food. Just walking down the street you could smell all the food. We had gyros (huge) and had to buy a sampler of their desserts which are rich with honey and nuts.
We left Tarpon Springs late morning after getting our temporary Florida registration. We planned to anchor near St. Petersburg which we did....Relaxing in the cockpit, that's when the camera went over as we were trying to do the timer thing..
Anyway, we are anxious to get to Burnt Store Marina. Tonight we'll anchor in Cape Haze, and make the last leg to our Florida home. This close, we're like horses running home to the barn. Should be there in the morning on the 15th. Yippee !!!
My next post will be when the pictures are salvaged and then when we leave again sometime in February.
