Tarpon Springs
Small town on the water. Known as the sponge capital of the world, harvesting sea sponges was once the town’s main industry. Now the town is known for its boating activities and Greek food — those sponges were harvested by Greek immigrants.
Our favorite restaurant is Hellas. Drew loves the place because he can get neat dolmadas, stuffed grape leaves like his mother used to make. The Greek places in New York make grape leaves stuffed with rice. I had a gyro platter.
I bought a few sponges, Drew got a leather cover for his passport, and we both bought some salt water taffy — the candy store offers unusual flavors. Our friends always get fudge and ice cream.
I've been to Tarpon Springs twice - once when I lived in Florida years ago, and then again in January of 2020. We didn't do any of the "sights" in 2020, though. When I was in elementary school I had read a Scholastic children's book about a boy and sponge diving in Tarpon Springs, not that I can remember the name or author. It was so fascinating. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteOoh, what a great little town. I have to admit, I never saw the point of salt water taffy. I guess it's a thing, but I never developed a taste for it. (They have it around some of the more touristy spots in the area.)
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