After a quick stop at the local Camping World this morning we traveled up the road to Tarpon Springs, the Greek heritage sponge diving town that is now a major tourist destination, especially along the sponge dock area. Despite lots of tourist shops and excellent Greek restaurants, the docks are still a working port for the harvesting of sponges, that are apparently abundantly available for harvesting by divers not too far off shore. The sponge diving enterprise was started in 1905 by Greek immigrants familiar with sponge diving in the Greek Islands. Over the years, the area attracted more Greek immigrants and Tarpon Springs became a thriving Greek community that still exists today.
We have been here several times in the past and came back primarily to have lunch at our favorite Greek restaurant on the harbor there. Once again, we had a great meal. We shared hummus and pita for an appetizer, avgolemono soup, a Greek salad and a gyro sandwich. I even had an imported Greek beer (Pils) which was really pretty good.
After lunch and shopping a little, we headed down the road to Dunedin for ice cream at our favorite local ice cream shop, Strachen's. Again, after shopping a little, we had a Key Lime Margarita at Bon Appetit, the restaurant at the end of the wharf on the bay.
We got back to the RV around 5:00 pm. Dinner did not sound interesting tonight after all the food we ate today. More sightseeing tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Monday, March 6, 2017
Florida Spring Training 2017 - Day 36
Not much to report today. We slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, did the laundry, got some groceries and had a late lunch at Chick-Fil-A. Oh, and Judy took a nap while I did some first-of-the month paperwork. Dinner was pizza in the RV and early to bed after a another fast-paced retiree vacation day in the RV park.
Tomorrow may be more exciting with plans TBD.
Tomorrow may be more exciting with plans TBD.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Florida Spring Training 2017 - Day 35
Baseball today and dinner at Frenchy's Rockway Grill in Clearwater Beach.
It was still windy but the wind direction had shifted so the wind was now coming from the east. It is mostly sheltered where we sit at the ball park except during a north wind. With the warm temperatures (76 degrees) and wind from the east we had shirt sleeve weather again.
It was a good game with the Phillies staging another comeback win, beating the Detroit Tigers 8-5. The Phillies also played a "split squad" away game, sending players to Sarasota to play the Baltimore Orioles, which they lost 3-2.
It was also "Alumni Day" - the Phillies invited former players and coaches, most of whom live nearby or who are in spring training with the team, to attend the game, sign autographs and be recognized prior to the game. This year's attendees did not include many of the former Phillies stars but nevertheless it was good to see some of the "old timers".
After the game we drove over to Clearwater Beach for dinner at Frenchy's Rockway Grill, a great, always busy restaurant, right on the beach. After moving slowly through heavy traffic over the causeway to Clearwater Beach and a short wait, we had an excellent meal - "She Crab" soup, a Cajun spiced grouper sandwich for me and fish tacos for Judy.
It was still windy but the wind direction had shifted so the wind was now coming from the east. It is mostly sheltered where we sit at the ball park except during a north wind. With the warm temperatures (76 degrees) and wind from the east we had shirt sleeve weather again.
It was a good game with the Phillies staging another comeback win, beating the Detroit Tigers 8-5. The Phillies also played a "split squad" away game, sending players to Sarasota to play the Baltimore Orioles, which they lost 3-2.
It was also "Alumni Day" - the Phillies invited former players and coaches, most of whom live nearby or who are in spring training with the team, to attend the game, sign autographs and be recognized prior to the game. This year's attendees did not include many of the former Phillies stars but nevertheless it was good to see some of the "old timers".
After the game we drove over to Clearwater Beach for dinner at Frenchy's Rockway Grill, a great, always busy restaurant, right on the beach. After moving slowly through heavy traffic over the causeway to Clearwater Beach and a short wait, we had an excellent meal - "She Crab" soup, a Cajun spiced grouper sandwich for me and fish tacos for Judy.
Frenchy's Rockway Grill
After dinner, we came back to the RV after another busy day. No baseball for the next three days as the World Baseball Classic begins. Throughout baseball, many of the players in spring training will be playing for their national teams during the tournament - at least while their teams are still in contention. Consequently, other players not selected for national teams will get a chance to play as spring training continues and tournament players return.
We are planning a "day off" for most of tomorrow, getting caught-up on "housekeeping" ("RV-keeping"?) things with maybe a trip to Tarpon Springs for a Greek Food lunch/dinner later in the day.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Florida Spring Training 2017 - Day 34
Another baseball game today - the Phillies played the Atlanta Braves. Weather-wise it was another clear but windy day with temperatures in the mid 70s'. It was a good game. The Phillies started slowly but scored 6 runs in the 7th inning and won the game 7-5.
After the game we came back to the RV for dinner and early to bed. Tomorrow is another baseball game, this one against Detroit. Right now the forecast calls for more gusty winds and clear skies, then warming next week.
After the game we came back to the RV for dinner and early to bed. Tomorrow is another baseball game, this one against Detroit. Right now the forecast calls for more gusty winds and clear skies, then warming next week.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Florida Spring Training 2017 - Day 33
A long and busy day. Baseball and a trip to Dundedin.
A dry cold front came through last night with a few clouds, lower temperatures and 10-20 mph winds. When we got up the sky was clear and the air was cool - 59 degrees and windy. At the ballpark, in the upper level where we sit it gets pretty cool when the winds are out of the north as they were today. So, it was time for extra layers of clothing even through the temperature was in the low-mid 70s'. The Phillies lost 4-3 in a close game with some of the rookies again playing well.
After the game we had a few errands to run. I had to get my sunglasses fixed at Costco, Judy got her special shampoo and conditioner at Whole Foods, and we bought some See's candy at Dillard's department store in the mall (the only place here to buy See's candy). While at the mall we also saw some good looking candy at Morrows, a mall candy store - we bought some of that also.
A dry cold front came through last night with a few clouds, lower temperatures and 10-20 mph winds. When we got up the sky was clear and the air was cool - 59 degrees and windy. At the ballpark, in the upper level where we sit it gets pretty cool when the winds are out of the north as they were today. So, it was time for extra layers of clothing even through the temperature was in the low-mid 70s'. The Phillies lost 4-3 in a close game with some of the rookies again playing well.
After the game we had a few errands to run. I had to get my sunglasses fixed at Costco, Judy got her special shampoo and conditioner at Whole Foods, and we bought some See's candy at Dillard's department store in the mall (the only place here to buy See's candy). While at the mall we also saw some good looking candy at Morrows, a mall candy store - we bought some of that also.
Day 33 Pictures - Baseball
Day 33 Pictures - Dunedin
When we were finished shopping we decided to drive over to Dunedin, about 5 miles away from the mall, to watch the sunset and have dinner. We saw another beautiful Florida sunset over the gulf. We also had a great dinner at one of our favorite Dunedin restaurants, Bon Appetit, on the waterfront by the marina.
Day 33 Pictures - Dunedin
More baseball tomorrow. This time against the Atlanta Braves, the only National League team the Phillies play in Spring Training.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Florida Spring Training 2017 - Day 32
We hung around the RV this morning. I cooked some bacon on the grill outside, we had a leisurely breakfast and then relaxed a little before getting ready for the day.
After breakfast, we traveled over to Ybor City just north of downtown Tampa. Ybor City is the site of the former center of the Cuban cigar industry in the US. It is now a tourist and entertainment location with a downtown state park, restored buildings from the cigar industry era and an interesting history museum. There is also a strong Cuban-American heritage in the city that is reflected in many of the downtown restaurants and shops, including a number of cigar stores. It is also home to our favorite Tampa area restaurant, the Columbia. The Ybor City Columbia Restaurant restaurant is the original one that opened in 1905. There are several others in the north Florida area. We have eaten here and at several of their other restaurants in the past. The theme is Spanish-Cuban and the menu is extensive with a lot of interesting selections. We had a glass of Sangria, Gazpacho soup, and shared two Tapas. It was another great lunch.
After lunch we took the trolley downtown from Ybor City to the Florida Aquarium. The aquarium is along the waterfront adjacent to the two Tampa ocean cruise terminals. We had visited the aquarium on a previous visit and felt it was worth a return visit. It was. They have done an excellent job and it is truly a first class aquarium experience.
We then returned to Ybor City on the trolley then joined the Tampa rush hour experience on the freeways as we headed back to the RV park. It is only about 13 miles from Ybor City to Oldsmar where we are staying, but it seemed to take forever with all the traffic.
After arriving back at the RV park it was dinner in the RV and went to bed early. More baseball tomorrow.
After breakfast, we traveled over to Ybor City just north of downtown Tampa. Ybor City is the site of the former center of the Cuban cigar industry in the US. It is now a tourist and entertainment location with a downtown state park, restored buildings from the cigar industry era and an interesting history museum. There is also a strong Cuban-American heritage in the city that is reflected in many of the downtown restaurants and shops, including a number of cigar stores. It is also home to our favorite Tampa area restaurant, the Columbia. The Ybor City Columbia Restaurant restaurant is the original one that opened in 1905. There are several others in the north Florida area. We have eaten here and at several of their other restaurants in the past. The theme is Spanish-Cuban and the menu is extensive with a lot of interesting selections. We had a glass of Sangria, Gazpacho soup, and shared two Tapas. It was another great lunch.
After lunch we took the trolley downtown from Ybor City to the Florida Aquarium. The aquarium is along the waterfront adjacent to the two Tampa ocean cruise terminals. We had visited the aquarium on a previous visit and felt it was worth a return visit. It was. They have done an excellent job and it is truly a first class aquarium experience.
We then returned to Ybor City on the trolley then joined the Tampa rush hour experience on the freeways as we headed back to the RV park. It is only about 13 miles from Ybor City to Oldsmar where we are staying, but it seemed to take forever with all the traffic.
After arriving back at the RV park it was dinner in the RV and went to bed early. More baseball tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Florida Spring Training 2017 - Day 30
We moved from one site to another in the RV park today. We will be in our new site for the remainder of our stay here until the end of March. Before we moved, I washed the RV. We looked into getting it washed but the gal in the park who does that was booked and wouldn't be able to do it until next week - maybe.
Before we moved we had lunch again at Cracker Barrel, got a few groceries and checked the mail at the post office. We are now in the new site and getting settled in again. We had dinner in the RV tonight - spaghetti with arabiatta sauce, Italian sausage, bread and salad.
Tomorrow is a sightseeing day. The plan is to go to Ybor City (an historic suburb of Tampa), have lunch at the original Columbia (Spanish/Cuban) Restaurant and then take the trolley to the Tampa Aquarium. We'll evaluate the plan in the morning and go from there.
Before we moved we had lunch again at Cracker Barrel, got a few groceries and checked the mail at the post office. We are now in the new site and getting settled in again. We had dinner in the RV tonight - spaghetti with arabiatta sauce, Italian sausage, bread and salad.
Tomorrow is a sightseeing day. The plan is to go to Ybor City (an historic suburb of Tampa), have lunch at the original Columbia (Spanish/Cuban) Restaurant and then take the trolley to the Tampa Aquarium. We'll evaluate the plan in the morning and go from there.
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