Monday, October 19, 2015

TARPON SPRINGS

Saturday, October 17 – We continued up the Gulf Coast of Florida this morning arriving in Palm Harbor (Clearwater/St Pete area). We are staying at Sherwood Forest RV Park for three days. We heard warnings about driving over the Bob Graham Skyway Bridge (I-275) crossing Tampa Bay. Everyone said it was pretty scary due mostly to it's height over the water and the low guard rails. Marsha was hoping to go around via Tampa but due to toll roads and congestion, Paul convinced here to “take the bridge.” It was nothing! We've been over many more scarier bridges than that. So, if traveling in the area.....take the bridge!

 Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Sherwood Forest has paved streets and grassy/gravel sites. We do have a patio and 50 amp full-hookups. This is a Passport America park. The volunteers in the office are very nice. There is a very nice laundry room, pool and rec center. There are only a few pull-thrus. We were able to get one.

Site 40A.
Sherwood Forest RV Park

Sherwood Forest RV Park

Looking right.
Sherwood Forest RV Park

Looking left.
Sherwood Forest RV Park

After getting set-up in our site, we drove up to Tarpon Springs to check-out “sponge city.”

Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs was named for the fish found in abundance in nearby waters. But it also is known as the "sponge capital of the world." After the discovery of natural sponge beds in the early 1900s, Greek sponge divers arrived in Tarpon Springs. The Greek heritage is still strong here. Everyone is speaking Greek! Greek food, pastries, beer, and wine. Pretty neat! We walked around town for a couple hours enjoying the people and doing a little shopping. Even had a delicious Greek beer and a glass of Greek wine.

The very famous Sponge Factory.sponge factory

Every type, kind, size, shape of sponge anyone would want.
Sponge Factory

Tons and tons of Greek restaurants.Greek restaurant

Newly arrived sponges.
sponge boat

Tarpon Springs

Greek pastries on every corner.Greek pastries

Don’t miss Tarpon Springs. A fun community that celebrates their heritage in many ways.

Paul found a nice paved biking and walking trail running directly behind the Sherwood Forest RV Park. It is wonderful for a morning or evening walk.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!