We left early in the morning on the 2nd with Jim and Nancy from Our Nauti Time to navigate one last day in the open gulf waters as we headed for Tarpon Springs. It was a warmer 52 degree morning. The sun was shining bright as the dolphins began to swim in our wake again, this time putting on a show. Karen counted 3 dolphins jumping and flipping along the stern of the boat. Later Tony would marvel at how calm and flat these open waters were for this last day of the crossing. As we approached Tarpon Springs, the wind picked up causing choppier seas. We wandered our way through the channel to the end where it becomes Tarpon Springs municipal marina.

We enjoyed our marina stay in the heart of the sponge docks and Greek restaurants! We were not disappointed with any of the recommendations from Mick, the dock master. Costas restaurant and the bakery across the street were favorites. Oopa! Greek sangria, saganaki, spanakopita, and tiropitas. And finikia or melomakaroma for dessert! We were fortunate to be here during There's SNOW place like Tarpon Springs! That's the theme for this year's holiday festival in Tarpon Springs. The snow machines created a giant sledding hill for tubing right here in Florida! And the Christmas boat parade and later the golf cart parade!

We also enjoyed the convenience of the Jolly Trolley to take us into Clearwater to the aquarium and through Dunedin. We were blessed by a visit from friends in Dunedin, Colleen and Butch who we'd met in Wheeling on our trip to Pittsburgh.

On our last day, we found the bayou where the manatees go when the water is cold. We saw and heard some snouts poking out of the water as we walked by. Sometimes it feels like we are in a different country, walking through neighborhoods and hearing neighbors speaking Greek, hearing Greek music over speakers along the streets, smelling fresh pastries and bread baking, and reading street signs written in both English and Greek.