www.lbknews.com Friday, May 6, 2011 Page 13

Following is an interview with Linda Lucas, co-author of a book about the lifestyle choices that can make a difference between a happy and not-so-happy retirement.

Lots of people are approaching retirement age. What inspired you to write a book about retirement?

I have always had a penchant for learning by picking other people’s brains. When microcomputers were still new, I learned by setting up a local user group and we learned a lot from each other. If you are like me, you learn by sharing experiences and asking questions.

I was somewhat new to retirement, but my friend Julie had been retired for a number of years. Writing the book together was a chance for me to “pick her brain” — but more than that. We each learned by sharing our thoughts and talking to others about their retirement experiences. It was a real growth experience for both of us — and an inspiration. Writing the book helped me get past that big retirement hump of “what’s next?”

What is next — for retirees? A lot of people think that once they let go of a fulltime

job, they are on a downhill slope. That’s too bad, because not only can retirement be an exciting new part of life, it’s a chance to really express yourself in a way that you may or may not have done while working. In a job, we have to subjugate our own personalities and interests to the priorities of the company, or the role that you play in an industry. Even if you loved your job, you probably didn’t love it 24-7. Retirement can be about “what do

Have you succeed-ed in applying “The Happiness Formula” to your own life?

Writing the book and applying the principles have helped me to frame what I want my retire-ment to look like. If I am not always successful on a day-to-day basis, I can usually figure out what is not working and I have strategies for dealing with what we call the “doldrums” — the vaguely depressing sense that life is flat and we’re not really moving forward. Life is not “flat” when you are doing something fun or when you are engaged in something that has you putting forth effort or feeling challenged. That’s what retirement should be about.

Is it that straightforward?It is straightforward, but it is not easy. You really need

to take time to assess what will help you feel connected and involved, and what brings meaning to your life. But the process of seeking answers is itself pretty fascinat-ing, and our hope is that our book, “Happily Retired” will point you in the right direction.

Linda Lucas is a recent visitor to Longboat Key. “Happily Retired” is available locally at Circle Books and online at Amazon.com.

you really want to do with your life?” The last time some-one asked me that question, I was about 17.

That’s a big question. Maybe that’s what people find hard about retirement is figuring out what they really want to do?

Yes – and they don’t always make the right choices. Julie and I realized at an early point that retirement is about learning. You are a beginner, and beginners make mistakes. There is the classic story about the couple who bought an RV to travel the country, only to discover that they missed home after just a few weeks. Your vision of what would make an ideal retirement before retire-ment – and then after you retire is not necessarily the same. Sometimes you carry a dream around with you for many years as a way to get through those last few years of a routine job. Pursuing a long-held retirement dream can sometimes lead to disappointment. It’s important to reevaluate what we really want.

Well, I know lots of people who have no trou-ble being retired.

Retirement offers a satisfying life for many people, but many others are bored and unhappy. They may not admit it publically (or even to their wives), but under-neath they are looking for something more than endless days on the golf course.

Our book introduces “The Happiness Formula” as a way of sorting out what you really want in retirement. Pleasure is a big part of it — doing things that provide pleasure on a day-to-day basis, but as human beings, life needs to be about more than pleasure. We also need engagement and meaning in our lives. Our book focuses on these additional avenues to a fulfilling life.

LINDA STILBORNEGuest Columnistopinion@lbknews.com

Have you succeed-ed in applying “The Happiness Formula”

Writing the book and applying the principles

and I have strategies for dealing with what we call the “doldrums”

KeyAuthors‘Happily Retired’ defined

mally open during daylight hours there are certain times of the year that access is restricted. The southern end of the island is extremely narrow and standing between the Gulf of Mexico and the calmer water leading into Tarpon Springs is truly breathtaking.

While much of the island is accessible by boat, a signif-icant portion is designated “No Entry - Bird Sanctuary”. Like Three Rooker, there are no docks, shelters, or public facilities on the island, and there are no dredged chan-nels to the island. If you are careful to avoid the shoal water running east from the easterly banks of Anclote you can anchor in 7 to 10 feet of water in the charted tongue of deep water near 28 10.426 North/082 50.386 West. Anclote is surrounded by broad shelves of shoal water on all sides, so take it slow in the dinghy. And, be aware that waters around the island are dotted with crab traps and fish pots of all description. Sophia spent many Sunday afternoons as a child on Anclote Island with her family and she stressed the currents can be strong. Swim with caution and keep your eyes open for the many dolphins who frequent this area.

Both Three Rooker Bar and Anclote Key have beautiful natural beaches and sunsets that are hard to beat. Well worth the time to explore and appreciate. Leave noth-ing behind but your footprints in the sand.

When you’ve explored enough, the cruise to Tarpon Springs is a short one. Successful navigation of the Anclote River Channel is summed up by saying “Stay in the marked channel and remember “red-right-returning.” The entrance channel into Anclote River from the deep-er water of St. Joseph Sound and the Anclote Anchorage lies east of Anclote Key. Look for the huge power plant charted stacks located at the river’s northern mouth. At some low tides, the channel appears sandwiched between very shoal water and it is. Stick to the marked cut and you will be fine in nothing less than 6 feet of water. If you stray out of the channel, the day will not be a pleasant one.

Cruise into the channel between daybeacon # 1 to its southerly quarter and unlighted daybeacon #2 to its northerly side. Continue on the same course passing between three additional pair of markers. When you come abeam daybeacon #8 the passage turns to the east-southeast. Point to pass south of flashing daybeacon #9 and north of unlighted daybeacon #10.

Don’t even consider making a cut at daybeacon #8. It is much too tricky for larger vessels. At daybeacon #10, the channel continues on a straight course to flashing

daybeacon #17. At #17 the channel takes another bend to the southeast. Between #17 to the northeast. (Power Plant Anchorage 28 10.608 North/082 47.318 West).

Due to the passage through Tarpon Springs of deep-draft commercial fishing vessels, the entire Anclote River channel is dredge on a regular basis. In fact, the small islands you see while cruising the river were created with dredging debris. These small islands are now bird sanctuaries for heron, brown pelicans and many other species. Depths outside the marked channel on the Anclote River rise quickly to grounding level. This area is called the “grass flats” and the water varies from 1” to 2” at low tide to 4’ to 5’ at high tide. It is a perfect flats fishing environment, but use caution, refer to the tide chart and explore the area slowly in your dinghy. The marked anchorage near the power station is the only truly safe haven for larger vessels on the river. Anchor up and explore in your launch from there.

During the week a kayak is a great way to explore the Anclote River. There are several bayous that branch off from the navigatible part of the river but you can hit some strong currents. It’s a good idea to check the tides. If you plan a trip on a falling tide cruising down the river is relaxing. Spend some time in a secluded lagoon, per-haps fishing for dinner and wait for the tide to change. Catching the rising tide back up river will end your adventure on a much more pleasant note.

Navigating the rest of the Anclote River is a straight

run to the Tarpon Springs City Marina (Lat/Lon: near 28 09.348 North/082 45.483 West) located at the down-town sponge docks. Cruising up to the Tarpon City Marina you are greeted with a fleet of incredibly color-ful sponge boats docked along the town waterfront. Charming, and so very unexpected, the town atmo-sphere is a throw back to the Greek sponging heyday of decades gone by. Tarpon City Marina has limited dock-age for vessels with beams exceeding 15’. Be sure and call ahead to confirm your dockage. If you are a member of the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs, another option would be docking at the Tarpon Springs Yacht Club. The small but friendly club is at the southeastern terminus of the charted channel leading from the main Anclote River track into Spring Bayou. It’s a bit of an adventure navigating into the club and you are well advised to call for exact navigation. Depths can run as thin as 4 feet on this cut. Other options are Port Tarpon Marina (727) 937-2200 and Anclote Harbors Marina (727) 934-7616. Either of these marinas would be an excellent choice, but if you want to be able to avoid taking a cab to the sponge docks and be situated right in the heart of the “action”, Tarpon City Marina wins.

Jumping off your boat at Tarpon City Marina drops you right on Dodecanse Avenue, the Sponge Dock District main center. The streets in the area are narrow and reminiscent of a seaside village in Greece. The Greek market store sells Greek olive oil in many varieties, and a host of olives, grape leaves, feta cheese – it’s all too much to take in.

By all accounts, Hellas Restaurant (785 Dodecanese Blvd, 727-943-2400) is the place to experience your first gyros or souvlaki. Some of the delicious specialties to enjoy include strong coffee, spanakopita (spinach pie in filo dough), mousaka, pastitsio (ground beef, pasta, onions and Kefalotyri cheese) and saganaki, a flaming Greek cheese, that waiters cry “Opa!” as they set it alight. And the bakery at Hellas is beyond description.

There are countless weekend Greek festivals through-out the year and planning your visit to coincide with one can only further enhance the whole experience.Perhaps the most notable event in Tarpon Springs is The Epiphany, a religious observance by Greek Orthodox followers, which includes a morning service at the St. Nicholas Cathedral, the dive for the cross in Spring Bayou; and is celebrated by hundreds enjoying Greek foods, music and dancing. The festival is held the 6th of January every year.

Tarpon Springs, from page 12

Sponge factories abound in Tarpon Springs, along with authen-tic Greek food.