Spring HAPPENS

Story and photos by Chris Roddey

Spectacular sunsets over the Gulf are just part of a day filled with outdoor opportunities. April and May brings the remarkable excitement of Tarpon fishing as well Spanish Mackerel, King Fish, Grouper and Snapper. Fish from the seawall or bring your kayak for inland angling. Offshore charter boats are available for both day trips and overnight visits to the Gulf of Mexico middle grounds.

Bring your own boat and use the Hickory Point docks and boat launch to explore the waterways, including the barrier islands and historic sponge docks in Tarpon Springs. Enjoy waterfront fine dining by boat cruising to a variety of restaurants in communities like Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Downtown Clearwater, Clearwater Beach and others. Or for landlubber sightseeing and dining excursions, take the open air Jolley Trolley to many of the same locales.

There’s even more fun on land when you hike some or all of the Pinellas Trail. This former railroad bed is now a linear park that extends for roughly 100 km (60 mi). It is perfect for bicycle enthusiasts, runners, joggers, and those who enjoy walking from one community to another. Take a morning stroll to Dunedin and ride the Jolley Trolley back to Tarpon Springs.

Indulge your intellectual side at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts, or one of the many historical museums, then your palate at one of the many craft breweries. Get out for Saturday morning markets and evening street celebrations, or take in a ball game during the Grapefruit League Spring Training (home to Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays).

Floridians love to get together, so in addition to regularly schedule car shows, spring provides some iconic events including; Firestone Grand Prix - March 10-12 Palm Harbor Citrus Festival - April 6-9 Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Festival on the Bayou - April 8th & 9th