I bicycled with my sweetheart in the soft, early evening rain. It was just enough to make our clothes damp and our glasses fog up.
We meandered thru the grounds of an ole plantation in the heat of a summer afternoon. Suddenly, the clouds opened up with heavy droplets, splatting onto the book I held protectively in my hand. Making our way back to the truck the sun reappeared without any excuses.
I emerged from my kayak to stand on the rippled sandbar lapping the riverbank of the Little Manatee River. Wading thru the cool, tea colored water, I listened to the quiet of this wet wilderness with nary a bird or insect to disturb it.
The sunset took my breath away as I stood on the mucky shoreline at our Fort De Soto campsite, snapping away with my camera. Soon, I became oblivious of the bites of small bugs and things crawling in the mud. I became one with the pungent, briny bouquet of the moist sea air comingling with the seaweed washed ashore. I am starting to fall in love with this place.
Santa Claus has come to town here in Tarpon Springs. It is Christmas in July and we couldn’t be more delighted. Santas from around the state, dressed Floridian style, came together to partake in this purely southern event. These St. Nicks could be seen in restaurants and along the wharf on Dodecanese St. ho-ho-ing to each other as only a santa can. Later, we feasted on char-broiled octopus and other authentic Greek cuisine at a place called “Mamma’s”.
Loved the old sponge boats tied up along the wharf. The St. Nicholas III captured my imagination with the fabulous patina and chipping paint hinting of a time when she sailed the gulf for sponges on a daily basis.
Sponges of every imaginable size, shape, and texture are displayed for sale throughout Tarpon Springs. So hard to choose.
I am fascinated with finding things in the most unexpected places, like this mushroom sprouting forth from a stump all by itself in the middle of the river.
Indiana Randy is pictured here, navigating the Little Manatee River. He is so brave.
