Clearwater/Tarpon Springs

Lunch on the beach at Frenchy's in Clearwater Beach

The sponge docks in Tarpon Springs

We decided to spend a few days in Clearwater Beach, rent a car, drive up to Tarpon Springs and later take in a movie--I've been trying to see True Grit since Pensacola.

Having arrived on Sunday, Monday was a day of rest and the day to say good-bye to Joe. His friend picked him up around 1 PM. It was a rainy start to the day but the afternoon cleared up a bit and we took a stroll out to the beach road and around the neighborhood. I also firmed up plans for the next day to have the wind generator installed by a local "boat guy" that had been recommended to me by one of our neighbors at the marina. The day did clear and turned quite nice. I took advantage of the down time to pull the dinghy "L'il Liv" off the deck and stenciled the TX numbers on, dropped her in the water, installed the outboard and took a short spin around the bay. It started on the first pull---always a relief. We are very happy with our decision to join the Waterford Yacht Club back home before we left as it gets us some variable form of discount or reciprocity when we arrange to stay at other yacht clubs.. The facilities here at the Clearwater Y.C. are very nice and the people, very accomodating.

Almost the entire day Tuesday was spent installing the wind generator. There was about a 2 1/2 hour delay as we determined that the pole that John brought was too short by 2 feet and he had to go back to his shop in Tarpon Springs to get an 11 foot one. But, we finally got it installed. Even the wire run went smoothly, much to my surprise. Still, an entire beautiful day was spent at the effort. It tested out fine the next day when we went to Tarpon Springs. On return I found that it had kept up with my electrical usage pretty well--not completely--but I only expect it to help me buy some time at anchor so I'm not constantly having to run the generator or engine to recharge. Looks like I accomplished my goal. (As long as the wind blows)

Next day we rented a car and drove up to Tarpon Springs, to the sponge docks, walked around ---in shorts!!!!--had a great lunch at Dimitri's , bought some overpriced sponges--one for the boat and one for Diane's back--. We even managed to do our laundry while we were out gadding about and stopped for groceries on the way home---saw True Grit that night and went to bed exhausted.

We had planned to take off for points south the next day but had some business to transact before we could leave and we were concerned that we might not have enough time to get situated for the night if we didn't leave until early afternoon. Fortunately, we met and talked to a couple aboard a large trawler who had come in the day prior and they told us about Treasure Island Yacht Club, just about 25 miles down the ditch. They described it in glowing terms and we decided to head that way after: closing on our refi of or Colorado condo,returning the rental car, riding the trolley to the Western Union to pick up some money that had been wired to us by our son (loan payback), dep-ositing that mone at the Wachovia Branch and lunching at Frenchy's on the beach. After a 40 minute return trip on the trolley--very circuitous route---we battened down the hatches and departed for treasure Island around 2:15. On checking the charts we realized we had five bridges we had to contend with between here and there and since the weather was warm (70) and windless (0 to 10) we opted to go back off shore for the 2 1/2 hour run down the coast to John's Pass where we came back in. We arrived at the Yacht Club (having made a reservation) at around 6 and were met by Les, the dockmaster---a nicer guy you could never find. After helping us get tucked in he gave us a tour of the facilities-----WOW!!!!!!

This place is fabulous (and the least expensive place we've stayed). It is actually the Treasure Island Yacht and Tennis Club. The club building is 3 stories with locker rooms and baths on the first floor. A fabulous bar and restaurant, huge workout facility, more bath rooms and shower facilities, a free game room, massage room, sauna all on the 2nd floor and banquet facilities on the 3rd. Additionally they have a huge 8 lane olympic heated pool with several fire pits around it, cabanas, and a very nice outdoor bar that appears to be very popular with the members. To heck with the Bahamas---we're going to stay here the rest of our lives. Oh, did I mention the courtesy vans--2 of them-- that will take you "anywhere you want to go". Life is good.

Friday was spent walking into "downtown" Treasure Island picking up a few things for dinner, a stop at the hardware store, etc. We stopped at their open air market and browsed and went for a very nice stroll on their gorgeous beach. I am beginning to understand the popularity of Florida.

We planned to leave this oasis on Saturday morning but reversed that decision--very wisely--when another weather front hit much harder than anticipated. Right now we are ensconced in our boat at the dock and I'm actually a bit "seasick" from all the rocking we are doing in the 30 to 40 knot wind that is blowing ceaselessly. It's cold, too---in the 40's again. Once again Diane made the right weather call. So tonight we will visit the club bar for a cocktail or 4 and then sample their dinner fare which we understand to be excellent. We hope this wind moderates by morning so we can make an early start and get well on down the coast. As the Gulf is probably pretty well kicked up we'll stay in the waterway this time and contend with the bridges. (Unlike all the bridges to this point, these bridges do not open on request- they have their own schedules and you have to hit them just right to make any kind of time.

We have finally realized that we do not need to be in a big hurry to get to the Bahamas. We are having a wonderful time exploring Florida. The only thing missing is the truly warm air and water (and the views and beaches and rum drinks and.........) So we will keep on trucking along at our leisurely, comfortable pace and enjoy the trip. Along the way we are learning more and more every day about the places we visit, ourselves, our boat and the people we meet. This whole adventure is definitely a "10" for me and probably about an "8 1/2" and growing for Diane.