After a fairly smooth 24 hour offshore passage we arrived at Tarpon Springs. We are at the City Marina which is located right at the Sponge Docks. You see, in about 1905 some Greeks discovered that a portion of the Gulf of Mexico was a natural habitat for the same type of sponges they harvested at home. To gather the sponges they would "walk" on the sea bottom with dive suits and bell helmets --- like out of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The sponges were then cleaned and shipped all over the world. Over the next several years many Greeks immigrated to Tarpon Springs to work in the sponge industry and integrate into the American culture.
Fast forward to today: there is still some sponge harvesting going on and the sleepy village of Tarpon Springs is now known for tourism as well. It is a pleasant, low key town that has fabulous restaurants (if you enjoy Greek food).

It is quite remarkable that everywhere you go people are speaking Greek! Not only the old men sitting around talking and smoking but the young people too! And as much as is possible in America, to see an intact culture still thriving....albeit from tourists not sponging, has been a real treat.

We are grateful for being able to enjoy the many upsides to our cruising lifestyle, like being in Tarpon Springs at Christmas, and we wish our friends and families a most healthy and happy holiday season!