Sunday, January 14 - Here we are, still in the Port Richey area. We liked the park well enough to extend for a week, so are here until Tuesday. The weather!! Now that's a factor in all that we do, being flexible and able to follow the sun...if we can find it. We had a couple of nice days, and then the cold struck again. And it's still cold. There's a freezing warning on tonight, so it's keeping our furnace tuned up. Because this latest cold spell will last until at least Thursday, we aren't inclined to head to the Panhandle yet, as it's going down into the 20s on Wednesday night, and only low 40s for a high on Thursday. After that it gets somewhat better, so we'll head north on Friday. Not sure where we'll be from Tuesday until Friday. We'll figure something out. May stay here or go to Cedar Key.

We did a bike ride on our first day here, and lucked out. We found a park named after a person named Jay Starkey, a large wilderness park that is partly managed by the State Water Management organization and part by the County. And guess what? It has a great 6.5 mile bike path that connects to the 40 mile Suncoast trail. So some time has been spent there, pedalling out little buns off. Gail and I did 38 kms on Thursday, and I did 50 today (gave the poor girl the day off, which she enjoyed greatly, treasuring some time to herself). Along the way, we found the creatures pictured above. Ten points for anyone who can name them.

Yesterday was cold and windy, so we drove over to Tarpon Springs, and found an Arts and Crafts fair going on along the river. In case you aren't aware of it. this community has one of the largest Greek populations outside of the mother country. Everything has a Greek flavor, and although the stretch of street we were on is a little like a small Niagara Falls, it has its charms. We strolled along the various crafts displays, trying to stay warm. We bought a couple of sponges, since this is the Sponge Capital of The World. In the early 1900s, sponges were found growing in profusion off the coast. An enterprising Greek guy got the industry going and it took off like crazy. At one time thousands were employed in harvesting and processing and marketing the creatures. Interestingly, they are not destroyed when harvested, as the tops are cut off, releasing a jillion spores, so that the mother plant and all the spores result in an increase of sponges. How can you beat that!? There are stores full of sponges, all makes and models, and videos explaining the workings of the industry. Interesting stuff! Something we knew nothing about. Still learning after all these years.

In talking to a nice guy in one of the smaller shops, he said the big problem is getting young people to become involved in the industry. Most of the workers are middle aged, and before too long there won't be anyone left to take over...unless, perish the thought, offshore workers are taken on. What did he thing of Trump, given his policies? This gentleman doesn't vote any more, as he has totally lost any faith in politicians. Sound familiar? Trump and all the rest of them are cut from the same cloth, so far as he is concerned.

We had a nice Greek lunch at 'Mama's', which we recommend if you should ever land in Tarpon Springs.

Around the park, I attended a music jam on Wednesday, which consisted of 4 people playing guitar and singing old country stuff, except for a Canadian guy, who did more bluesy stuff, and clearly outshone the other three. Next night there was a larger group, all residents, who put on a 90 minute show, again, Country, and were quite good. Country to the core, but good instrumentalists and not bad vocalists. The same folks do their thing every week, and get a good turn-out.

Last night there was a big campfire, which we went to despite the cold, and met a few of the regulars. They were very welcoming and friendly, and spoke fondly of the sense of community they enjoy here. If someone needs help because of wind, fire or other emergency, people pitch in and help them. There were some interesting stories about the hurricane experience, as Irma blew through here, but not as badly as had been predicted. Not much damage done here, but lots of anxiety as the storm approached.

One day I was sitting in the sun, and along came a lady named Carol. She stopped by and talked my ear off for an hour. Gail came along halfway through, and Carol just kept on. So we got a part of her life story, which was quite interesting. Her family escaped East Germany in 1947, leaving in the dark of night, and somehow managed to get to Yugoslavia. It seems her father was a tech expert, and was welcomed by Marshall Tito. They were there for a couple of years, and after going to three or four other countries, finally ended up in Cincinnati. She described the bitter negativity she experienced as a non-English speaking kid from the old enemy country. Nothing like it in any of the other countries they'd lived in before emigrating here. Sound familiar? Did we do that to immigrant kids who came from Germany and Italy in the 50s? Hope not!

Anyway, that's about it for now. Every day is  full of excitement. More later. Stay tuned.