Arrived at Winter Home

We are now at our destination for the winter months in the small city of New Port Richey (NPV). It has a population of 17,000 people and is about an hour north of Tampa and includes our RV park – Orchid Lake RV Resort (OLRVR). I’ll post something on the park at a later date. This year we stay at one place for almost four months instead of park hopping every month. We’ll see how that works having a base of operations instead of many areas of exploration.

Arrived Sat 12/11

After having to run the RV furnace on the way south, we arrive and begin the set up process in “feels like” temp was 86 degrees. Hot and full sunshine. I started to grumble about the sweat running down into my eyes and then caught myself. No way.

• 

• 

At our first stop in Florida, the Starke Fl KOA campground in northern Florida, we spent the night and prepared for the final drive to our park. I also shaved my “thanksgiving” beard as it was becoming too warm and Pat said it made me look older. A white beard. Also had some Santa comments. Well I am older I thought, but not yet ready to play Santa Claus. Off with the whiskers!

It was about 150 miles south to our winter destination just north of Tampa. Smooth sailing down US 301 and a couple of other non-interstates until we got to I-75 for a few more miles. Then off onto some county roads to NPR at our park. No more moving for four months!

This park is a bit of a challenge to get the 41 foot 5th wheel maneuvered into the RV sites. Instead of an angled in back-in site, they are perpendicular to the narrow roads. Always something to look forward to, but I have now backed into some of the most challenging places across the country.

With Pat helping to direct me we made it quite easily with a few adjustments of pulling forward and moving the camper a few inches over. Beautiful weather I kept repeating as the sun scorched my pale white Virginia arms.

The next day after we arrived our son Bryan called to say that he flew down to visit and was staying in Dunedin, a very cool town about 45 minutes south. So, we quickly made plans to meet and hang out for a while.

Tarpon Springs

Two days after arrival we met our son at Tarpon Springs for lunch and a walking tour of the historic sponge docks. While not mostly docks, it is a historic old town with many cool shops and things to see.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The town was first developed in 1876 as a farming and fishing village. The name came from a lady who saw the fish jumping and named it Tarpon Springs as if the fish were on springs. It turns out the fish were mullet. Oh well.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

After the arrival of the railroad in 1888 the town became a haven for wealthy northerners to spend the winter. In the 1880’s the sponge industry started to grow and the Greek immigrants had the specialized knowledge of how to harvest the sponges. This town soon had a large Greek population and the influence remains to this day.

We checked out a small family owned meat shop. The owner said that he had just roasted a roast beef and the shop supposedly smelled like it. He had some great looking cuts of meat in the display cases. I wished our small towns had some real butcher shops instead of the Kroger and Walmart. I told him that we will be back.

We just scraped the surface during our little outing to this Greek village and will surely be returning. Many more museums and interesting sights to visit.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Dunedin, Fl

We really liked what we saw with a quick tour of this town with our son. As Arnold said, “I will be back.” The downtown is very walkable with many restaurants and eight breweries. Holy cow! The only small issue is after recovering from Covid, my smell and taste is not back completely. A good craft beer tastes about like a Bud Light. Not kidding. Not that there is anything wrong with a Bud Light, but I’m still a long way from a connoisseur of fine food or beverages.

My brother-in-law says that taste and smell are right up there with the top 3-4 things enjoyable in life. If he was trying to cheer me up, it did not take. And I’m not sure about his other items in the top four. I am sure the smell and taste will eventually come back. It has been just over two months now.

Back to the topic, Dunedin Fl, has a population of 36,000 people and at 30 feet of elevation. Started by two Scottish blokes back in the mid 1800’s and home to the best beaches in the world or so claimed.

We had lunch at the supposedly best seafood joint. Frenchy’s. I was skeptical with a name like that, but was willing to give it a try. We had the large fish sandwich and it was very good. Fresh grouper that was caught that very morning. Very filling with an order of fries on the side.

Well, just like Tarpon, we will be back to Dunedin for for exploring. Located just a half an hour south of here. Lots to explore this winter. And I was hoping to relax and read a few books.

Thanks for following along. Take care and God Bless.