It was sad to see Betty and Gene leave us. We left Homosassa the next morning after Gene and Betty left. We drove to Tarpon Springs and parked the RV in a Walmart parking lot. We took the car and drove into the town.
TARPON SPRINGS, FL
Tarpon Springs is the Sponge Capital of the World. It was founded by a Greek and the sponge business is run by the Greeks. The Greeks' expertise for deep-water diving and their knack for cleaning sponges drew them to Tarpon Springs to fish. They built the Sponge Exchange and auctions took place there twice a week drawing traders from all over the world. The industry prospered and the Greek community grew. Then in the 1940s a marine bacteria destroyed the sponges and also a synthetic sponge was invented. The sponge industry in Tarpon Springs declined. In 1985, Hurricane Elena stirred up the waters and the sponge beds began growing and producing again. At the same time, the European sponge industry was being destroyed by environmental pollution. Now, 85 percent of the sponges found at Tarpon Springs are shipped to Europe. Also sponges that are found in the Bahamas, Mexico and Belize are shipped to Tarpon Springs for worldwide distribution.
We were fortunate to arrive just in time to take a 35 minute boat tour on the St. Nicholas. This boat was used many years ago for sponge diving. We went down the river and learned all about the different kinds of sponges and the history of the business. A member of the staff put on an old diving suit that was used years ago. The helmet, neck plates and his shoes were made of brass and copper. The total weight of those pieces added 170 pounds to his total weight. In order to get the suit on he rinsed his hands and arms in soapy water. The soap also helps maintain a tight fit and a good seal around the wrists so water doesn't leak inside the suit. He jumped into the water and we followed his bubbles to see where he went. The divers walk against the current to look for sponges. He wasn't in long until he came up with a good sized sponge. 
When we got back from that boat tour we jumped on another one. This boat tour took 90 minutes and went down the river and out into the Gulf waters. The tour boat went down river going past shrimp boats that were sitting idle and some have been abandoned. The shrimp industry is feeling the pinch from higher fuel costs and increased competition. Several of the houses along the river were beautiful estates. We saw an osprey sitting in her nest that was built on top of a buoy. We also saw dolphins and a lighthouse. It was a fun ride but it was also very windy. 
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