Saturday, March 23rd Very cold & windy. A quick review of charts show Tarpon Springs only 18 miles-figured it would take us about 3-4 hours. Lexie called at 8:30am & said she was leaving Orlando any minute! We better get a move on. Anchor up 9am. After 3 hours we were no where near our destination. Lexie was already there & we advised her of our dilemma. She was shopping and having fun. We felt bad but glad she had lots to see and do. Arrived at the City Docks at 3pm with a
welcoming party of Lexie, Rita (the dock “mistress”) & assorted other curious tourists. Cap’t Wayne expertly backed BLUE MAX into the incredibly narrow slip. Tied off, made Margaritas, relaxed for about 5 minutes then off to the races with Lexie. What an incredibly wonderful place about 3 blocks of shops and restaurants. Sort of like Key West but you can’t take your drinks on to the streets. This is a Greek sponging town. There 
I didn't alter this picture. The sky was that color
were brightly colored tour boats taking people out to watch sponge divers do their thing. (I figured they had a stash of sponges tied under water for show) Casino gambling boats, shrimp boats, pleasure boats. Lots of activity. Wandered into a locals bar called Sea Grass and had a 46 oz. Margarita with only 1 ½ shot
of Tequila in it but made for a great picture. Met a nice local couple, Lisa & Andrew. She’s an ICU nurse and he’s a photographer for the local paper. Gave them our address and phone number. He’ll send me a copy of Photo Shop. Lexie bought fish
Making something w/ Spinach
& broccoli - we had steak. Surf, Turf & wine -great meal with Baklava and Cannoli for dessert. Lexie was exhausted- laid down on the new comforter & never got up the rest of the night! So much for a fun night in a new town!! Sunday, March 24th Up at 8:00. Gorgeous day, sunny & hot. Strawberries, bananas & cream for breakfast. Lexie sunbathed on the upper
deck, I walked the streets. There was excitement in the air with tons of people gathering for the big parade - Greece’s 400 years of independence. I 
managed to get 3 Greek flags & returned to the boat. Talked with Tom and Vivian getting ready to fish aboard their, very, very nice 28 Albin fishing boat. I was excited about seeing this unusual & special parade. Wayne & Lexie wanted to eat again so they searched for food. I passed. They were gone
menu & free drink tickets. Lexie left for home & we all decided to have dinner at Lime ‘n’ Coconut. Nice evening even though Wayne was unusually quiet. Nick, the owner, comped us with free Conch salad &
Nick & his 'girls'
more free drinks. Wayne had a Cuban sandwich with garlic potatoes and I had, you guessed it, cracked Conch with rice & beans. YUM YUM! The bill was only $20.00!! Agreed to do a “photo shoot” of the restaurant the next morning at 9:00. Monday, March 25th I met Bob at 9:00 as promised. Made a few prints then burned a CD for Nick. Left the dock about 1:15 and traveled 3 ½ miles into the Gulf to dump the holding tank. Returned to anchor at Anclote Key. Tricky entrance to the spot I wanted to be in. Anchor down at 4:30 just east of the
Made eggs Benedict and Mimosas for the 1st time this trip. I watched boat after boat come to the area, throw something into the water then net bait fish. YES...now I get it. We took the dingy and followed suit. Hot damn! However, no fish! Went to the West Side of the island. The main island had the lighthouse. Looked like they were getting ready to put down a boardwalk area. The land curved to the west to create a sandbar with shallow water in between. Beautiful, shame it was chilly. Lots of shells, which we brought home for “projects”. Put a line in when we returned to BLUE MAX but nothing - not even the dreaded catfish. Pretty sunset, cocktails and salad. Decided to go to St. Pete in the morning. Wayne charted course & learned more about the Map-Tech program. I got to watch Jeopardy – yes!
No comments:
Post a Comment