Part IV Homosassa Springs, Dunedin & Little Greece

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My first stop and a close one was Homosassa springs. Another spot to look for manatees, swim, kayak, etc. but I only wanted to visit the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park for a nature walk. It was an easy walk and was called 'wildlife walk'. I soon learned that all the animals there were rescued. Most birds couldn't fly and/or walk but some were sitting in trees so not sure if they just flew down there or what was up with them. And then there were gators, bears, wolfs, etc. that had lost their fear for humans and/or were mistreated by humans and not able to return to the wild. They also held manatees, saw them up close this time. It was sad though, cause again, all of the manatees were injured in some way. The one I saw was hit by boat propellers and had a baby. Baby was unharmed but mom had visible scars. Boats often don't see the manatees and so it happens quite often apparently. It's why they started doing all these protected areas and starting november 15th a lot more is going into lock down so they can get away from people and tours. It's one of those, beautiful to see places and see the local animals but also sad why I was able to do so.

I ate a banana on my way, wanted to go to this pub I read about but pulling up to it, it looked very sketchy and so I left and decided to have fruit and snacks in the car while driving. I remember thinking I felt like a 'hobo', living out of my car a bit haha. Even though I was staying in a nice hotel that night again. Hobo by day, queen by night haha. I passed a farmers market on the way down and decided to have a pit stop. And lucky me, there was a stall with empenadas! Nom nom! Very late lunch and ate it in the car but sooo gooood!!

Drive thru ATM :-)

The bad night had caught up with me and my eyes started to get dry. I put in Tarpon Springs as my next stop, this was close to Dunedin, where I would spend the next two nights. For some reason I ended up somewhere else though and so a bit of a detour when I really wanted to just get there. Typed in Tarpon Springs again and checked the map to make sure it was correct this time and off I went. Another 45minutes, sigh. 

Got to Tarpon Springs, kind of 'little Greece'. They are or were known for their natural sponges. And it attracted a lot of Greek workers at some point and that's why it started opening up Greece restaurants. It looked like a place I wanted a little more time at and so I drove through it but then went to the hotel to come back later. It was only 15 minutes away so I figured I should be able to manage that. Arrived at the hotel, again a big room with 2 queens and a bath, shallow bath but I didn't care. After about 30minutes I headed out again to Tarpon Springs!

Most shops closed around 6pm so I would have at least an hour to walk around which seemed like enough. It was a saturday and so there was live music and it was buzzing. Restaurants were full, inside and out. And it was a fun vibe all around. Went into a few shops but most were touristy shops and of course a bunch of shops selling sponges and what goes with sponges? Right soap bars, lots of those as well. Walked around for a bit and drove back to the hotel. Then walked across the street for dinner. Because I'm by myself and most restaurants have bars, they often ask me if I want to be seated at the bar which is fine by me. The set up they have is nice and I get to watch sports on multiple screens, my favorite haha. After dinner and a few cocktails (too many choices and not like the standard cocktails at home, so a party each time), went back into the room for a bath and a hot tea. Slept like a baby that night. Only woke up from the fridge, which I thought I had turned off cause I anticipated waking up from it but apparently not all the way. But still, great night!

Make your breath great again haha