Port Richey, Florida - Nov. 14 - Dec. 16, 2006

On November 14 we headed east from Gulf Shores via hurricane damaged I-10 to Tallahassee, Florida.  Friends had told us how lovely Wakulla Springs just south of Tallahassee, are and we wanted to check it out.  Even though it was a rather overcast day, the springs did not disappoint.  We took a river cruise up the Wakulla and spotted numerous alligators, ibis, blue herons, and an incredible number of black vultures.  To get an idea of the area think of the old Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan movies, some of which were filmed at the springs, as was the Creature from the Black Lagoon.

As our boat returned to the Springs we saw our first of several manatees, two adults and one youngster.  Very exciting.

On the 16th we moved east and south to Port Richey, to stay for a month at the Suncoast RV Resort  Frankly, we didn't really enjoy the resort or the area.  However, that could be because Susan contracted a rather nasty cold, the No-See-Ums were voracious, and the area was very congested with constant traffic.  Plus, the Point & Surf business had a burst of activity that kept us too busy to do much exploring.  On the plus side, we participated in the Resort's Thanksgiving potluck, and met several really nice people.

Our first excursion was to Tarpon Springs, an area first developed by well-heeled late 19th Century snowbirds (people who move from cold climates in the winter to warmer places).  In the early 20th Century sponge beds were discovered off shore and harvesting companies recruited Greek sponge divers to the area.  It is now a fishing and sponge diving area that capitalizes on its Greek roots.  As we walked along some of the back streets we discovered that Greek is still the language spoken among the residents.  It was a bit touristy, but interesting nonetheless.

We then took a drive out to Howard Park, an island connected to the mainland by a causeway.  The causeway and the island were very popular with fishermen that were watched very closely by opportunistic herons and egrets.

We also took a day trip to Homosassa Springs State Park and Nature Preserve, about 30 miles north of Port Richey, adjacent to Crystal River which is noted for the number of manatees that winter there.   The Springs serves as the permanent home to seven rescued manatees and an amazing number of tropical birds.  A viewing chamber enabled us to observe the manatees and schools of snook underwater.

The aviary was very large and open - the people were only separated from the birds by a railed walkway.  It was fascinating to watch the many species - egrets, ibis, ducks, swans, flamingoes, spoonbills, herons, sandhill cranes, etc. - interact, squabble and argue.  What a noisy group.

We also squeezed in two bike rides on the 30-mile Suncoast Trail and the 47-mile Pinellas Trail (of course we only rode a portion of the trails).  The Suncoast was developed in conjunction with the Suncoast Turnpike (a toll road) consequently it parallels a freeway.  The highlight on this path was the sandhill cranes.

The Pinellas Trail is a beautiful, urban rails-to-trails facility that runs from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg.  We parked at beautiful Wall Springs Park, where you can look right into the mouth of the spring, and rode to Tarpon Springs, around town and out to a wildlife preserve.  A few manatees and a misdirected stingray were keeping warm in Tarpon Springs, which added interest to the ride.

We also took a scenic drive south to St. Petersburg for lunch before the satellite business caught up with us.  St. Pete was swinging into the Christmas spirit with a parade and carolers in the park. The warm, sunny weather makes it difficult for us to remember it is the holiday season.

Point & Surf had two installs towards the end of our stay in Port Richey, one 190 miles north along the Suwannee River (think Stephen Foster and "those ole folks back home") and the next day 90 miles south on Anna Maria Island.  Both locations were very interesting.  It was lovely seeing the Spanish moss-draped oaks of the Florida Panhandle, and the dolphins frolicking along the shores of the Gulf Islands.

The day after the installations we hooked up our home and headed south to Bonita Springs, where we are very happy to report there are no No-See-Ums.