2007 MOTORCYCLE TOUR

Saturday June 9

Daily Miles: 350
Accumulated Miles: 4,400
Day 17

Tarpen Springs

Tarpon Springs is a little village and is known as "the sponge capital of the world". All aspects of the sponge industry take place in Tarpon Springs, from the harvesting of the sponge, all the way to the auctions that are held weekly at the Sponge Docks for the wholesalers. To learn more to go:

http://www.tarponsprings.com

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Photo of my new best friend in Tarpen. He is of Greek ancestry and owns a sponge store. In true Greek fashion, he agreed to pose for the photo only if I agreed to mail him print.

Pensacola

A very popular resort and retirement city. Very busy, lots of “folks”. To learn more go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pensacola,_Florida
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Sunshine Skyway Bridge

WOW – what a bridge. It crosses Tampa Bay to the south. The enormity of this engineered marvel can only be appreciated by being there. What a fabulous ride over this peaked bridge. It would be very dicey being on a motorcycle if it was windy and / or raining. Wind is very common over the any of these open waters. Including the approaches, the length is approximate 8 miles. “YES”, 8 miles!! To learn more go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Skyway_Bridge
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Road to Margate

After crossing Tampa Bay, I headed east from the Gulf side of Florida to the Atlantic side to go to Margate. It only took 3 hours to cross the entire state. The terrain was very open and very green. Beatiful pastures with several ranches. After arriving on the east coast I then headed south to Margate.
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I Spend Sunday June 10 and Monday June 11 visiting my cousin Ron and his wife Arlene in Margate. This area is “feeling” the same changes that are occurring in Miami, which is 1 – 2 hours to the south. There is a heavy Cuban and Mexican influence. Many business signs are appearing in Spanish. Drugs and alcohol issues are increasing.

Ron and Arlene live in a senior community that has a canal flowing through it. The canal and the banks are full of wildlife. There is a variety of birds and water life. Fish up to 3 feet can be seen.
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My cousing Ron and his wife Arlene.
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