#18 Nov 29 - Dec 6th

 November 29th was the big day to to the big jump 170 miles to Tarpon Springs.  5 boats left from our location around 1pm in the afternoon for what turned into a 23 hour voyage.  The first few hours were a little lumpy but nothing the least bit extreme.  Our group settled into a  nice steady pace and kept track of one another over the moonlit night. We reached the area about 3 hours out from Tarpon at dawn. Perfect to see the traps that were fairly significant in number.  There was not an issue as we were very vigilant.
Tarpon Springs is a delight. Highly recommend you make it a stop you are in the area.  It has the largest Greek population and influence in the U.S.  The area is known for the Sponge industry. It's harbor is most definitely a working harbor with boats dedicated to Sponging, Shrimping, Crabbing and Fishing  Of course their are Marinas for pleasure boats visiting the area and the waterfront has become a tourists dream.  All with a very strong Greek influence. Sponges (all from the Gulf, I might add) and soaps, great Greek restaurants, little Greek social clubs where the guys gather to play cards, outdoor coffee shops.

Can't keep the guy away from those pastries from Hellas - the primo bakery in town.

Greek Sponge Diver, most divers use wet suits and tanks today.

Working sponge boat, sponges hanging and drying after the gelatinous membranes have been removed. The tarps on deck are covering hundreds more sponges. The sun actually rots the inner gel, then the sponges are cleaned and dried again.

We went on a dinghy ride to see the Manatees and saw this palm.  Unbelievable, such perseverance!

Our friends in the Manatee Lagoon. We saw many but was impossible to catch the photo.

He just threw his net in the water and brought up about fish.

Waterfront from the river

Not a lot of high rises here, but beautiful manicured homes all around.

Dec. 3rd we headed out for Clearwater but only went about 10 miles to Dunedin and put down the anchor.  We just savored the evening away marveling at the weather.  Saw little Optimist Pram Sailing fleet in the Bay and commented how "Gosh, the kids must have the day off". Dad says, No, It's summer".  No it isn't!  We laughed! Sure felt like summer to us.  Come to find out it is a sailing club of women, the Windlasses.  Every Thursday morning they are out there.  We took the dingy in, saw some other boaters we met there tied our dingy to their boat and explored the town.  Some very interesting facts.  Dunedin is where the first amphibious tank was invented, the heard about it and the rest was history. Eventually over 18000 were built.  Also, Orange concentrate was developed here and the government once again contracted for the company to produce mass quantities to be sent to Europe during the WWII to supplement the citrus they were lacking in their diet.

Dec. 5th we pulled anchor and went a whole 10 miles to Clearwater Beach.  Oh My, I have never seen such pure white sugar sand beaches in my life. Just the right amount of Hotels, shops, Honky tonk shops, Fisher Charters,  The entire waterfront is meticulously maintained and the community offers tons of attractions and things to do. But I think folks just loll around on the beach.
Friends Arline and Ray Cutro, who we traveled with early in our trip picked us up around 3pm. Arline, as promised us a fabulous Italian dinner.  The evening was way to short as we reminisced about our travels, sharing experiences and photos.  They completed their "Loop" in September and now fly their "GOLD Looper Burgee" on their boat.

Dec. 6th  We have done our laundry doing breakfast and are about to grab the "Jolly . Trolly" for more exploring of the area.

After our breakfast this morn while waiting for the laundry, a fellow came by to show us his beautiful birds. 

Smallest BEST!

Two long boats paddled roasting the Christmas pig in the middle!

Ray and Arline picked us up and took us to Duneden where the lighted boat parade was held.  We had ring side seats on our friends Tim and Pam's boat Sweetwater.  The above photos really don't do justice  -- the lights were phenomenal! These three were the winners in  my opinion.

The best part was being on that boat with folks from all over North America, Illinois, Michigan, Ottawa, Canada, Arizona, Florida and a couple whose boat is their permanent home. All of us sharing in the Great adventure of doing the Loop. Oh, the couple From Ottawa left in June with their dog in a canoe.