NM Today: 14
NM Total:
3468
Before we
could leave Tarpon Springs, we had a number of annoying errands that had to be
completed and required a weekday when businesses are open. Our first stop was
the post office and that was quick; however, our next stops were anything but
quick. After mailing our letters, we drove to the tax collector’s office.
Since we
plan on staying in Florida for more than 90 days, Florida requires a “Sojourner’s
Permit”. As far as I can tell this
permit is a temporary boat registration designed to raise income for the state
of Florida. When we arrived at the tax collector’s office, we were given a
number and told we would have a 20 minute wait. Given the number of people
sitting there waiting for their numbers to be called, 20 minutes sounded
optimistic to me. The tax collector’s office was a misnomer as people were
there for all sorts of services. I saw at least two people working through the
process of getting a driver’s license.
Eventually
our number was called. The clerk who worked our request seemed to have no clue how
to process a sojourner’s permit. Besides taking forever to complete the online
form she needed to fill out, she kept getting up and walking up to the door as
well as talking to other clerks about other customers. I think we were there at
least an hour before we got our registration sticker for the boat and left for
our next stop – Enterprise.
Our last
stop, returning the rental car was quick and painless; however, we needed a
ride back to the boat as Google predicted it would take over an hour to walk
back. Enterprise was busy with pickups and drop-offs, and their driver was
AWOL. Apparently he had dropped his cell phone in his pool recently, so they
had no way to contact him to determine an ETA. I thought it quite convenient
that the Enterprise office got me to say that I was ‘completely satisfied’ with
my Enterprise experience before they made me wait 45 minutes for a ride back to
the marina.
By the time
we finally pulled in our lines and got underway, it was already noon.
Fortunately we did not have far to go today as the captain had picked something
nearby as our destination – Calidesi State Park. I asked Clark how he decided
on that destination. He said he heard about it through the AGLCA forum, and that
it sounded like a pretty and quiet site.
 |
| Back on the open water - following the causeway to the park! |
 |
| Welcome to Calidesi Island State Park |
 |
| Calidesi Island State Park, Florida |
When we came
into the marina at the park, the wind was gusty and docking was a bit
challenging. Since the docking is first come, first serve, we did not have a
reservation. We tied up to a T-dock (the end of a floating dock) temporarily so
Clark could go check in and find out a slip assignment. While he was gone, I
pulled up the Calidesi State Park website so I could learn what the park had to
offer. I happened to notice the rate schedule which stated that slips cost $1
per foot, but the T-dock space costs $2 per foot.
When Clark
came back, he told me that we could stay right where we were, we did not have
to move. Well that was good news until I asked him the fee charged. They
charged him the $2 per foot rate. I asked him why we were paying twice as much
as we needed to and he said the folks in the office told him the slips had an
issue. I decided to challenge the office – why charge us twice as much if it is
their problem?
When I spoke
to the man at the desk, he said he let us stay on the T-dock for “our
convenience”. I pointed out that Clark had been told it was due to the slips having
problems, so then he said he let us stay there for safety reasons due to the
winds. I continued to push for either a slip assignment or a cheaper rate at
the T-dock. Finally he said we could move to a slip and gave me half my money
back. Hurray! Success! When we moved the boat, Clark backed the boat into the
slip neat as anything – so much for high winds.
By the time
we got the boat tied up for the second time, both Clark and I were hot and
sticky. Clark suggested we take a walk to the beach. I was not sure what that
entailed but decided to change into my swimsuit in case it meant getting wet. As
we walked across the white sands to check out the waves in the waters of the
Gulf of Mexico, Clark and I noticed one very amazing thing. Even though the sun
was out in full force and shining directly onto the beach, the sand was cool to
our toes. We both expected hot, scorching sand.
I went
swimming in the Gulf of Mexico! After two false starts, I made it into the
water. The first time I walked to the shoreline, I had my hat, shirt and
sunglasses on. I stuck my feet in the water to see how it compared to the pool.
Definitely colder than the pool. While I was exploring the water temperature,
Clark was already in the water and playing in the waves. That motivated me to
give it a try. I walked back to dump my stuff and came back again.
I took about
five steps in and quickly got back out again. Whereas the beach was soft and
friendly to my feet, the area under the waves had sharp objects that I could
not see to avoid them. Back out of the water I went and found my water shoes
and then finally I was able to go in and play in the waves with Clark. As I
paddled around, Clark pointed out that the waters of the Gulf were definitely
warmer than the pool. No way!
It was not
until I got out of the water that I noticed the purple warning flag with a
yellow warning flag. A purple flag says that dangerous water creatures are in
the area. That turned out to be stingrays. The yellow flag indicated rough surf
and potentially dangerous waters for swimming. Perfect!
After our
dip in the Gulf, we changed out of our swimsuits and went for a hike along the
nature trail. Multiple signs advised us to stay on the trail – some to protect
the environment, and some to protect us. I saw several signs that warned that
rattlesnakes populate the island.
 |
| The nature trail |
 |
| Sabal Palm Trees and Mangroves |
The state
park prides itself on preserving the natural beauty of Florida. Where so many
other areas in Florida have been taken over by buildings and roads, the park
has preserved its beauty by providing designated walking paths to protect the natural
flora and fauna.
Most of what
we saw consisted of Sabal Palm trees aka “Cabbage Palm”. We walked far enough
along the trail to get a feel for what the area looked like but then turned
back. Clark wanted to get sunset pictures. The length of the trail if we
completed the walk would preclude seeing the sunset since we were surrounded by
vegetation. We made an abrupt about face and headed for the beach.
We got there
in time to get a few good sunset pictures!
 |
| Sunset on Calidesi Island |
No comments:
Post a Comment