Pinellas Trail, Day 1: John Chestnut Sr. Park to Tarpon Springs

9.9 miles (16 km), sunny, high 25C/77F. Felt great to be walking. The path is a well-marked, flat, and smooth multipurpose trail for cyclists, walkers, and runners. The walk is along busy roads most of the way, but the neighborhoods were lovely. Once you reach the top of Tarpon Springs, the path moves into quieter areas and through parks. There were not many people out this time of year. I passed mostly cyclists, and people began to stop and chat once I neared the town.

I walked all the way in to downtown and met my dad at the library. Afterwards, we had lunch, toured the old train depot (the trail used to be a train line), and explored the Sponge Docks. In the early 20th century, a large Greek population settled in Tarpon Springs and began sponge diving. Today, Tarpon Springs is said to have the highest percentage of Greek Americans in the US.

People I met:

• A young guy (20s?) who had walked from St. Louis and was on his way to Arkansas. He had a small dog who sometimes walks and sometimes gets carried in a pack.

• Steve (cyclist), who told me about a couple he met who had tandem cycled from Grand Rapids, Michigan and were on their way to California, then back home. Full circle around the US!

• Danny and Jeff, cyclists, who alerted me to a nice bike that was left on the side of the trail. Apparently, it has been there for two days. I took photos and will alert the Tarpon Springs police in case the bike was stolen.

Highlights:

• Wildlife: deer, alligators, various birds

• Starbucks stop 1.5 miles into the walk

• Peaceful, beautiful day

• Lovely downtown Tarpon Springs, including the Train Depot museum

• The Sponge Docks

• Being supported by, and hanging out with, my dad

If you plan to walk this route, please be aware:

• There is very little shade during the morning hours. Take a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

• There is a 7-11 at around mile 2. After that, there is nowhere to stop to buy water along the trail until you get to downtown Tarpon Springs. Plan accordingly.

Photos of the day:

Stage 1

Starting point

So many deer at the park

Bike tools for cyclists along the trail

Saw this fountain

Then saw the alligator

More wildlife:

Drying his wings

Different lake, another alligator. Had to zoom to confirm!

Trail is well-marked:

Trail moves off the main road

Tarpon Springs library

With Dad at the Tarpon Springs Tavern

Sponge Docks

Dad being a connoisseur of sponges