The Wandering Disciple

Tarpon Springs, Florida: Pinellas County, Florida, is home to a number of stunning natural parks and preserves, and Brooker Creek Preserve stands out as one of its most precious gems. Located in the northern part of the county, this expansive 8,700-acre preserve plays a critical role in protecting the Brooker Creek watershed, a primary source of drinking water for the region. The presence of water in the form of the creek and its tributaries attracts a rich diversity of wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers.  The preserve boasts a network of hiking trails that wind through diverse habitats, including pine flatwoods, cypress domes, and hardwood hammocks. Along these trails, which span almost five miles, visitors have the opportunity to encounter a wide array of wildlife. Deer are commonly sighted, gracefully navigating the undergrowth, while wading birds, such as herons and egrets, can be seen stalking their prey in the shallows. Raptors, includ...

When the Greek immigrated to Tarpon Springs, they helped shape the region's sponging industry. They developed a technique of sponge diving that is still used today off the coast of Tarpon Springs. A diver submerges under the water, grabs a section of live sponge, cuts a portion of it off and they returns to the boat with his freshly harvested sponge. You can watch this live on the Sponge Diving Exhibition Tour onboard the St Nicholas VII, a historic sponging vessel docked at the historic sponge docks in Tarpon Springs. (Photo: February 4, 2017)

A daily harvest of sponges are seen on a drying line on the sponge boat Anastasi. The sponges are harvested off the coast and brought back to the historic sponge docks of Tarpon Springs where they are dried and later sent to the various markets in town and across the globe. A leisurely walk down the historic docks will give you a glimpse of the sponging industry that helped found Tarpon Springs. (Photo: February 4, 2017)

The patriotic bike decked out in Red,White and Blue is a perfect way to celebrate Old Glory on Flag Day. Established by Presidential proclamation by President Wilson in 1916 and later by an Act of Congress in 1949, Flag Day was established to celebrate the birthday of the United States flag. The US flag was adopted by resolution of the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777 and has been the symbol of the nation ever since. The flag has changed over the years but it still remains on of the most recognized symbols of the United States. (Photo: February 4, 2017)

Boats line up along the historic sponge docks of Tarpon Springs. The waters off the docks are filled with boats ranging from fishing charters, sightseeing tours and pleasure crafts. This busy little port near the Gulf of Mexico has a rich sponging history that dates back to the late 1800's. While the industry has changed throughout the years, the Greek influence can be seen up and down the docks and neighboring shops and restaurants. There are plenty of ways to take in the history of the sponge docks including a cruise on the St Nicholas, where you can watch a Greek descendant demonstrate how they dove for sponges. (Photo: May 24, 2020)

Tarpon Springs, Florida: A stroll along the historic sponge docks of Tarpon Springs is a trip back in time.  This coastal city has thrived of the sponging industry for over a hundred years and evidence of this tradition is alive and well up and down Dodecanese Boulevard. Originally founded by farmers and fisherman in 1876 and was named after the Tarpon seen jumping from the waters of the bayou. While this was how the town was founded, this wouldn't be what made the town come alive. Philadelphia banker John Cheyney relocated to Tarpon Springs in the 1880's and opened the town's first sponging operation and from there the legacy of Tarpon Springs began. But the industry and the town would be changed forever in 1905 when Greek business man John Cocoris came to Tarpon Springs and introduced sponge diving and transformed the coastal town into little Greece. The sponging industry became a multi-million dollar industry and Greek immigrants migrated to Tarpon Spring making...

A statue of a young man holding a cross sits in the plaza of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church to pay tribute to an annual ceremony that dates back over 100 years. Each year on January 6 to celebrate the Epiphany, the Metropolitan of Atlanta tosses a wooden cross into Spring Bayou and boys aged 16 for 18 dive into the waters in an attempt to retrieve the cross which comes with a years worth of good blessings. The festivities date back to 1903 and closely follow authentic Greek traditions from Greece. (Photo: February 4, 2017)

In what looks like a trip down memory lane, a sponge diver readies to dive into the waters of Tarpon Springs to demonstrate the technique perfected by the Greeks over 150 years ago.  Today, this technique can be seen on board the St. Nicholas VI, a historic sponge diving ship that operates from the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks.  (Photo: February 4, 2017)

Hundreds of sponges line the decks of the Anastasi while it sits at the historic Sponge Docks in Tarpons Springs, Florida.  The sponge industry dates back to the 1880's and has grown over the years.  In 1905, the region had an influx of Greek sponge divers who revolutionized the industry and really left a cultural mark on the seaside town.  (Photo: February 4, 2017)