Tarpon Springs, FL

We could not have ordered up a nicer day than yesterday.  The weather was warm and it was a wonderful day for me to walk around the park and explore.  I noticed that many of the campers here have these little lightweight appearing bicycles.  They are small and along the lines of a dirt bike like our kids used to ride, except that they have extended handle bars and seats.  They also look like they fold.  I even saw a lady riding her bicycle to the laundry mat with her laundry hanging over the handlebars.  Made a note to self to look into these.

Ventured off the base by myself yesterday and piddled around at Target and Publix.  Still looking forward to going to the Whole Foods Market and Fresh Market which are also nearby.  While at Target I saw a soft sided folding kennel to serve as Maggie's "condominium" when we are out.  Her large hard sided kennel is getting bulky to haul around in our "toy" truck.  At dinner one of Billy's Army buddies, Jimmy Padgett, stopped by the motor home for a visit.  We went over to the Marina restaurant that is here in the RV park and enjoyed Schnitzel sandwiches while looking out over the Bay.  It is a great little bar/restaurant that we will certainly  be visiting again.  Jimmy and his wife are entertaining the idea of purchasing a motor home and traveling so we had lots of fun talking about what we each plan to do in the future.  A great visit and next time Jimmy is down this way he said he would bring his wife Tricia with him.

We had one heck of a thunderstorm in the early morning hours last night but dragged ourselves up to drive an hour north to see our good friend Joe Hebert with Fish-on-Lures.  We had to trade in two of our rods that malfunctioned and of course had to stock up on his SS Minnows and other stinky artificial baits that we have been purchasing from him for years.  He has bought a new place that he is working hard on to open a new shop and living quarters combined.  Still Joe said he would find time in the next two weeks to go fishing with us.  He has accomplished most of his sells at fishing shows and on-line but is now planning on opening a storefront.  He has some great lures at:  http://www.captainjoefishing.com/

After leaving Joe's, we stopped by Tarpon Springs and I was pleasantly surprised and disappointed that I didn't have my camera along to take pictures. The sponge industry helped build a Greek community that is now famous not only for the worlds finest sponges, but for some of the finest Greek Restaurants, Markets, and Bakeries in the Country.  I was wide-eyed at the authentic Greek restaurants and the many European bakeries on the street.  It was kind of windy and cold so we didn't stay long, but Billy promised we would return when the weather is warmer.  Here is the website to see the little town:  http://www.spongedocks.net/Map/sponge-docks-map.htm.