Greece to Tampa

 downtown Tarpon Springs sponge dock

We left Tarpon Springs yesterday around 1100 for the short sail to Clearwater.  It is as though we left Greece when we pulled away from the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs.  Having spent two days at the dilapidated docks at City Marina, with those bolts that really wanted to scratch Why Knot, I constantly improved her chances of survival.  So, on the scenic trip down the Anclote river, I was busy at least half of the time stowing six fenders, two fender boards and at least ten miles of lines used in the protection scheme.  By the time I got all that done, Bear had managed to maneuver the boat nicely down the Agean Sea to Anclote river.  We had six knots of wind, this time from the right direction for a casual sail some twelve nautical away.  We decided to take our time since it was the first day since beginning the cruise that we could sit comfortably in shorts and tees.  That's right, the first time at sea in shorts. 

 sponge boat

We hugged the four fathom line on the way down but that was a couple of miles offshore.  Seas were flat and that allowed us to spot the endless  array of crab pots.  I wonder where all those crabs go?  Certainly, we do not see crab on menus. 

 these guys literally sailed circles around us

We decided to stay at the City Marina next to Pier 60.  Said location holds a sundown celebration every day similar to Mallory Square in Key West.  Vendors magically appear as do musicians on the pier every day.  This marina is completely full.  We got the last slip for the day.  We are the only sail boat on the transient docks.  The trawlers around us are part of a yacht club from Fort Meyers that takes long trips each month. 

We have sailed away from those we met in Apalachicola and we have lost contact with Lagniappe.  We hope they did not abandon their plans.  It has been fun to stay in touch with folks we have met.  The folks next to us in Tarpon Springs are heading up stream to Iowa via several rivers including the ole Miss. 

Pier 60 Clearwater, Florida

We awoke today to fog and some really weird moaning sound we could hear through the hull.  I wonder if we are listening to Manatee.  We have not seen one yet but there are warnings everywhere about avoiding them.  We will stop here another day at least to do some repairs (read West Marine). 

The shuttle just landed.  There are only three missions left.  I cannot help but remember how futuristic it sounded when the news first announced plans to build and deploy a re-usable space machine.  Wow!  Where did the years go?