January 12, 2007

Happy New Year - We have been home for the last week or so and are leaving this morning to go back to Florida. The boat is on the Manatee River just south of Tampa Bay. We'll be there until the end of February.

I uploaded some pictures - most from the town of Tarpon Springs - a few miles north of Clearwater. It is a Greek fishing village - mostly sponges. Lots of restaurents, shops and museums - very picturesque. Check out that Greek bakery - Yum.

We crossed the Gulf from Steinhatchee the day after Christmas. It was a very long day - dawn to dark. The water was a little rough early in the morning but smoothed out as the day went on. We stayed the night in Duneden - between Tarpon Springs and Clearwater. We followed the intercoastal waterway from there to Palmetto. We really enjoyed this trip - lots of bridges - only one of which we were not sure we could get under. Actually we cleared the bottom of the bridge by just a few inches. We crossed the opening of Tampa Bay parallel to the Sunshine Bridge and into the Manatee River.

Sarah and Ed will be with us for the next 10 days or so. We plan to visit beaches, museums, etc. in the Sarasota - Tampa Bay area. Looking forward to some time without so much to do.
Again - Happy New Year everyone!

See you out there somewhere -
Rob & Ann