Your travel checklist for Tarpon Springs:
1. Score a parking place at the Sponge Docks.
Check.
2. Take a boat ride with an old-fashioned sponge diver demonstration or a nature cruise that includes visiting Anclote Island.
Check.
3. Eat way too much Greek food.
Check.
4. Buy Greek pastry to go. Devour it all on the way home.
Check.
5. Visit the serene side of Tarpon Springs.
Wait. Tarpon Springs has a serene side?
Indeed.
Cast a line into the Gulf or Lake Tarpon. Put a chair in the shallows of the Gulf of Mexico, hoist up an umbrella and chill. Watch sunsets from west facing beaches. Go to a dog park. Walk on the wild side, well if boardwalks count as the wild side along with trails and yes, even hilly terrain.
I found walkers pumping up the hilly terrain at A. L. Anderson Park, 39699 U.S. Highway 19 N., Tarpon Springs, Fl, phone 727- 943-4085.
Did you actually just read the word “hills”?
Seriously, Florida is flat. Everyone knows that. Hilly terrain is a big deal.
When I arrived at Anderson Park, sedately, by car, two women in full spandex workout gear and expensive looking walking shoes were marching up a hill, long strides, their arms swinging, the same determined look on their faces as seen on the faces of climbers scaling Mount Everest.
A lot is happening at this park sprawling over 135 acres – there is a dog park divided into two areas with shade trees, a zillion covered picnic shelters that can be rented, a boardwalk, picnic tables that don’t require a reservation, restrooms, benches, boat ramp, a rain garden, playground, a full county recycling center and of course, the hilly terrain.
Away from the hills, down at the water’s edge, things get very serene. A large grassy area near the boat ramp has picnic tables and benches facing Salmon Bay and Lake Tarpon. Who could resist sitting here? Not me. I sat.
Ducks floated by. The sky was a cloudless blue. A slight breeze and low humidity made for picture perfect weather.
Time to be in the moment. A fishing boat launched. One great white heron sailed out of the trees and gained altitude over the lake, flying to some predetermined place known only to the heron.
The boat ramps require a daily fee of $6 for vehicles with trailers and $2 for vehicles only. Bass fishing brings anglers to Lake Tarpon.
Free parking for everyone else in the regular park lots. A kiosk at the entrance parking area has a map of all the park’s amenities.
Down the road I found Sunset Beach, 1800 Gulf Road, Tarpon Springs, Fl phone 727-942-5628, a small circular beach tucked away at the end of a short causeway.
Aptly named. Faces west. This is a big deal because as we all know the sun sets in the west, and drops down into the Gulf of Mexico waters every night, sizzling, on fire, sometimes with a flash of green. And every night approximately one third of the entire population of Florida, along with all visitors from around the world, show up to watch the sunset.
During the day Sunset Beach is a funky laid-back place. Folks who come here regularly appear to know that paradise is found right here – facing the Gulf of Mexico. Some have lawn chairs sitting in the shallows, with or without umbrellas. Anglers cast lines into the water. They seemed unconcerned about time – they’re dialed in for the day. Even the terns sat on the sand, in no hurry to be someplace.
Sunset Beach amenities: bike racks and benches along with picnic tables, bathrooms and kayak launch areas. Parking is free.
Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs, Fl phone 727-943-4081 is reached by a long causeway that is almost completely paved with pay stations every 20 feet or so. Parking is $5 a day. No dogs allowed past the causeway onto the beach.
As I arrived, two German Shepherds along with their owner in a bathing suit were coming out of the water alongside the causeway. The dogs were shaking water off their coats and looking pretty pleased. So, while I did not dip my toes in, the dogs certainly appeared to have giving swimming here two paws up.
Quite a large selection of water toys for rent. What looked like Paddleboard 101 class was happening off the beach in the shallow water. I found much more of a commercial vibe here, definitely not the funky feeling given off by Sunset Beach.
All that sand sifting, lake watching and hilly terrain makes for an appetite. Tarpon Springs is the perfect place to be at mealtime.
When the Greeks are cooking, just show up. That is my motto and I’m sticking to it.
Lunch today was along the Sponge Docks at the Hellas Restaurant, 785 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, Fl, phone 727-943-2400. I dined with a friend and fellow travel writer, Patricia Pochurek of Palm Harbor. Recently Patricia brought 53 Questers from a nearby convention to experience Tarpon Springs and eat at Hellas Restaurant. Their one complaint: too much food.
When Patricia’s Greek salad arrived, it looked like the tradition has continued. This was a really big salad.
My seafood platter got a two-thumbs up. Hellas has it all – connected to the restaurant is a bakery. In a really sneaky move, the restrooms are located in the bakery so of course you will be going there at some point – and be looking at all the goodies.
Honestly, live a little. Have something from the bakery. Life is short. Do dessert. Or at least take it home with you.
May I have two pieces of baklava to go please?