DAYS 149-154: Rooker Anchorage - Clearwater Beach Marina - Treasure Island Anchorage

Rooker Anchorage to Clearwater BEACH Marina: 6.3 mph; 11.5 miles; 1:49 hours

Clearwater to Treasure Island Anchorage: 6.7 mph; 19.5 miles; 3:06 hours

Clearwater BEACH Marina: 

$2.21/night; electric, water, showers, coin-operated laundry (the top dryer is weak so run it twice - the bottom dryer is fine).

This city municipal marina on the beach side is the same price as its sister marina on the East side of the bridge. The cost and amenities are exactly the same. The Beach Marina has the added benefit of, you guessed it, the sugar sand beach and a hidden gem called The Bait House; a literal hole-in-the-wall establishment, tiny kitchen with big chefs, and quite possibly the best seared tuna I have ever had. The bar has wine, beer, and hard seltzers - they keep it easy. The blood orange beer is my favorite; Jim says it has a fancy name - ok.

Took the Jolley Trolley to Tarpon Springs today; how Greek can you get? Visit this place and you’ll know- MY PEOPLE! I almost cried when I was in the restaurant because the potato salad was JUST LIKE YIYA’S! We had the best meal, talked to the sponge divers, and just walked the town. Tarpon Springs is all about the experience and pipe Greek music throughout the streets - so much fun. The church is beautiful and sponsors a community center in addition to the Hellenic Center. I may have to retire here - I love Tarpon Springs! 

NOTE: Jolley Trolley: $5 for 24 hours of on/off privileges - I love this place! 

We decided to stay an extra day in Clearwater. Docktails with In Layman’s Terms and Shellerina then watched the sunset on the sugar sand beach of Clearwater; I think I love Florida … in the winter :) Found some great shells in the surf.


Treasure Island Anchorage:

To find this anchorage, find the Publix 111 104th Ave, Treasure Island, FL 33706. The anchorage is in the cove between Dolphin Dr and Tarpon Dr. Why this little anchorage? The Publix dinghy dock - convenient. Publix allowed us to leave the dingy there while we explored the island free of charge as long as we shopped at Publix :). We ended up staying a few nights. We did lock the engine to the boat and the boat to the dock.


First night we caught up with Creek Folk! Kevin & Glenn, Ricky & Crystal and Crystal Z - what a treat to see people from home! There was a festival on the beach with live music and the famous Sand Sculpture Contest (they were beautiful). While having dinner, a local couple came over, came to find out, they are from the cove and wanted to talk about the loop - love it!


The next day we met up with … Crystal Z! I really love spending time with her. She introduced us to the Drum Circle on the beach next to the festival. It was very calming. We also saw some things we can’t ever unsee.






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