Great Loop: Tarpon Springs - Recovery

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Pelicans in the Bayou


24 January 2022

Tarpon Springs is the perfect spot to recover and recharge following a Gulf crossing.  We docked at the Municipal Marina in the heart of town, right on the main street.  The harbormaster was friendly, and helped us tie up.  One of the first things we noticed was Greek music playing softly from the lamp posts.  

Tarpon Springs was settled by Greek sponge divers and the town enthusiastically honors its heritage.  From Amy Marie, it was just a few short steps to ShrimpWrecked  Restaurant and Dockside Bar.  A convenient location to celebrate our return to terra firma.  It was difficult to walk a straight line from the boat to the bar.  After being in a vigorously rocking boat for hours, your body instinctively reacts as if the world is still moving.  The result is you feel like the ground is still rocking and you can't walk a straight line.....  All this before the first sip of any cold adult beverage!


Amy Marie at the Municipal Marina

I don't remember what we did for dinner that first night.  I'm sure it was something simple.  What I do remember was the live music in the Tiki Bar.  It was delightful, and reminded us of why we came to Florida this time of year.  We relaxed as we shared the ambiance of the evening with our fellow Loopers.  Everyone had a crossing tale to share.  We were also happy that we had chosen the direct route and not the three day rim hop.  With the Direct Route, the 170 mile voyage takes about 19-20 hours.  So a one day weather window is sufficient to make the crossing.  Others we knew, who choose the Rim Route, still had not arrived in Tarpon Sprints after a week, as they had to wait, en route, for wind and wave conditions suitable for the next leg of the trip.  Despite the length, it was nice to knock it out in a single hop.  For an in depth discussion of the route options, visit:  https://www.lifeonsweetday.com/post/our-great-loop-gulf-crossing



Pinellas Trail

The second day, we ventured out to explore the Pinnellas Bike Trail which connects and provides safe passage for bicyclists from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg.   We did detour off of it in some locations to more closely follow the waterfront.  In one area this took us through the yards of very exclusive homes, right on the water.  It was wonderful!  The trail was a conduit which, as a former rail road right of way, connected the core downtown area of each of the towns along the way.  It was well used too.  We followed it to Clearwater and then rode the "Jolley Trolley, the local transit line, back to Tarpon Springs.


Beth at the Dunedin Marina

Bikes are a useful reconnaissance tool.  As we travelled south on the Pinellas Trail we checked out Marinas which we might want to visit. 


Mike along the waterfront near Clearwater

This trail meandered along the shore and helped us see where anchorages were along this stretch of the Gulf Intra-Coastal Waterway.


Boat Launch Ramp on a random bayou


Beth at the Thirsty Marlin Restaurant


We Met Beth's Cousin Dave and his wife for lunch at Hellas, a Greek restaurant in Tarpon Springs

It had been 40 years since the last time Beth and Dave saw each other! 


They visited us at our boat


Herb Seaton, the local Harbor Host stopped by


Tarpon Springs is quiet mid week


The Greeks brought sponge diving to Tarpon Springs


Street Art


Exploring the Bayou near Tarpon Springs



Clearwater Beach Pier


Eating lunch at Frenchy's in Clearwater Beach





White sand beach in Clearwater



Our visit to Tarpon Springs concluded with Amy Marie getting a spa treatment at Port Tarpon Marina.  Her bottom paint was renewed. barnacles removed and zincs replaced.  Marine growth is more aggressive in the warm waters of the Gulf than what she experienced in the Pacific Northwest.


Amy Marie in the Travel Hoist moving to the Spa


Barnacle growth after 2 months in Gulf Water.  Guidance is to have a diver clean this up every month while in these waters.


Perfect Choice on the left and Amy Marie on the right.  Both vessels are from Santa Rosa California and have been travelling together since early January.


Location: Tarpon Springs, FL, USA

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