| SPRINGS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA By Thomas Hillegass Was this the end of my 15 year search for the perfect swimming hole in the Eastern US? I approached through a tunnel of live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, punctuated by graceful palms. The water was fresh, perfectly clear and deep with a sandy emerald bottom. At the far end, a rock wall from which kids were jumping and diving. A knotted rope for the brave to drop from. No bugs, no noise, just beauty and peace. Could be. Long before "Typhoon Lagoon" and way before "Wet and Wild", the Orlando area was a destination resort for the earliest Americans wanting to play in cool, clear waters. Countless underground rivers course through the limestone underlying much of central Florida and emerge to form fresh water springs in lush, tropical settings. While a few have been commercialized, many of these springs have been more naturally preserved in State Parks and National Forests. Millions of gallons per day emerge from caves, visible at the bottom of the springs, called "boils". The pools that form are great for swimming, snorkeling and just playing. Where permitted, cave diving (yes, exploring caves full of water) is enjoyed (??) by the very brave with scuba gear and without claustrophobia. The pools run off into equally clear, clean creeks (called "runs") where canoeing is often available. Many of the springs are developed for camping and picnicing and you may spot a manatee grazing in some if you are lucky. On your next trip to the amusement capital of the East, take a break from the man-made worlds of Orlando to enjoy a refreshing day at the springs of central Florida. Make your escape North out of Orlando on Interstate 4 to Deltona then a bit West to Orange City where you will find a gem called Blue Springs State Park. It is only about __ miles from Disney World. Blue Springs arises from a yawning cavern at the bottom of a transparent pool and runs as a broad stream about a 1/2 mile into the St. Johns River. Because the spring is a constant 72 degrees year around, in winter many manatees retreat from the colder river into the run. As appealing as the idea of frolicing in the water with these endangered mammals may be, the State of Florida keeps the human and restricts swimming when the manatees are in residencethese endangered mammals, swimming is restricted when the manatees are in residence swimming is restricted to the upper part of the run. The spring is sensitively developed but very accessible, with a raised boardwalk along much of the run. Elderly or disabled visitors, including wheelchair users, will find it very user-friendly. The walk itself is a treat, through a shaded, tropical corridor with frequent views of the spring and several easy access points for swimmers. You can swim or snorkel down the run, letting the gentle current carry you along, under overhanging trees and spanish moss. The park offers camping and some cabins for overnight guests, picnicing, rest rooms and a concession stand. Canoes can be rented on the St. John river. Admission is $3.25 per carload for day use, camping starts at $8.00, cabins at $50.00, with extra fees for additional people. Contact: Blue Spring State Park, 2100 West French Ave., Orange City, FL, 32763. Phone (904)775-3663. Blue Springs SP Camp, picnic, swin, canoe, snorkel Very beautiful, like a run, a creek Begins at boil, runs to St John's river Several places with ladders to enter water Boardwalk all along, good access for elder/handicapped A bit sulphurous $3.25 per carload to swim MAnatees in winter times, people separated from manatees cabins with reservations 72 deg water in Orange City Pictures 32-36 (I think) DeLeon Springs SRA Stay in DeLand, not DeLeon Springs (town of) Nice little town, cute shops Stetson University, university inn across street, only in town hotel. Holiday House vcountry buffet there too. $3.25 per car 72 deg and a bit sulphurous Some algae, 30 ft deep max 6 mi north of DeLand Good swim hole Swim, picnic canoe (rental)snorkel, cave in bottom No cave diving allowed restaurant make own pancakes starts 9:00 weekdays Pictures 1-6 taken here about 5:30 PM. Changing house in background of pictures Rent paddle boats, kayaks, aluminum canoes on lake part Countryside Cafe on Rt17/92 South of DeLand good food, 10 tables (about) Days inn also there Saw bear in tree near here, lots of people gathering Broke Suz camera lens on zoom, outer lens only broke Fixed in camera store in Deland Pictures 7-9, rinky tink lawn items stand at Rt 40 West out of Barberville. Shortly out of Barberville on Rt 40 is turn off to Alexander Springs, we didn't visit. At crossing of Rt 19 is turn off to Salt Springs, no visit To Juniper Springs Wekiwa Springs SP Canoe, swim camp, hike Near Apopka In OCALA NF: Salt Springs RA camp, swin, boat, fish, snorkel, picnic fee $2.00 canoe and boat renta; Silver Glen Springs (no RA) swim (no beach) snorkel, pcinic, fee,$2.25 no camp canoe rental Alexander Springs RA camp,picnic,swim,scuba,snorkel,fee,$2.25 canoe (rental) canoe $14.50 for 1/2 day Juniper Springs RA Sign right on Rt 40, can't miss it Pictures 10-31 (I think) semitropical example, not at all sulphurous here 20 ft max, 2 caves feed spring can dive off platform at one end camp,swim,hike,picnic,canoe(rental)fee,$2.25 day/car 3 camping areas. Very beautiful, tropical sites One is for tents only, others for RVs and tents Must canoe by noon. swim is $2.25 per person canoe $21.25/2 persons North Central: Ichetuckee Springs SP Swim canoe snorkel picnic no camp tubing big, may 1 -labor day, free shuttle NW of Gainsville Silver Springs SP Spring itself is a "nearby attraction"' Park is not open to public! Silver Spring itself looks nice, very developed Glass bottom boat, jungle cruise, petting zoo, $28 adult Morrison Cafeteria nearby here Manatee Springs SP camp, swin, canoe, picnic, fish 6 mile west of Chiefland manatee occasionally appear Wakulla Springs SP one of worls largest and depest freshwater springs swim, snoprkel Wakulla Springs, FL |