Manatee Mania !!!!!

We pulled into Blue Springs State Park, one-two setup with BIW, and headed over to the Spring to see the alleged home of manatees.  Well, not alleged, 87 manatees and counting.  After polishing off 150 pounds of plants for their daily meal, they sped (well actually manatees don't speed) into the Blue Springs river to stay a toasty 72 degrees.  The official census park guys have counted up to 300 a day!  Fun to watch them bobbing up and down for air with a snort, doing body rolls, and just plain sleeping.  For the five days we were at Blue Spring, we checked up on the manatees daily.....Cool!

Another spring fed river, so another boat trip; this time we rented kayaks and a guide and set out into the St. Johns River and some narrow side channels.  It was a little cool, low 50s, cloudy, but still another opportunity to see all of the great wildlife and fauna.

And there's more......After a year of travel for both of us, we met up with our RV friends.  We first met Gail and Dan in Utah, and discovered that we like lots of the same camping stuff.  Together we hiked 9 miles through the saw palmettos, the live oaks, and all of this wild Florida location.  We even saw a massive (over 500 lb) wild black boar run across our trail!  And another day, we rode the Spring to Spring cycle route. Great to catch up on all of our travels, and plan for more......Next January at Death Valley NP?

Alexander Springs....Yep, another spring

We hadn't realized that central Florida is the land of the Springs.  Beautiful crystal clear water bubbling, actually poring out of the ground, creating awesome streams.  So when we arrived at Alexander Springs, it was time to rent a canoe and head down the stream.  And this time the current was only 1 mph, so we paddled back upstream too.  Checked out all of the trees and plants along the river's edge, the lilly pads with their yellow flowers, the birds, and the alligators (although we didn't spot any).


Snorkeling and Scuba diving in the spring is also encouraged, but we chickened out as there were also alligator signs.....Although, "Swimming with the Gators".....why not?

Alexander Springs also has some nice walking trails through the forest. Once again, we thank the CCC for a job well done!

We also biked part of the Paisley Bike Trail which meanders through the forest.  Where there was the soft "sugar sand", trail maintenance had put down oak leaves for traction; so even in our hybrid bikes we successfully rode 13 miles; although it did feel like 30 miles!  This trail covers over 30 miles, so we will have to come back and finish the route.

Glass bottom viewing at Silver Springs

Another Florida attraction that has Morey bringing back memories.  We climbed into the custom built glass bottom boat and cruised the Silver River piloted by James, our captain.  He has been leading the tour for 45 years (does he remember Morey?).  The views, both under and above the river, are awesome.  Silver Springs spews out millions of gallons of pure water from a cave 45 feet under the surface, and the fish love it!


Camping here was a treat, not just counting the ice cream waffle cone afternoon delight.  We biked and hiked the many trails under bright blue sky days; although a couple of nights, temps went below freezing.  Silver Springs State Park is another park that has "saved" the Florida attraction and offers great camping facilities.

 

 

PS  Dug up some photos of when I was last in Silver Springs,  1959   ......................

I'm the guy second from the right.

 

Rainbow Springs...............

Another former Florida "attraction", and now a State Park..........
Over 500 million gallons of pure spring water flows down from Rainbow Springs daily.  A fabulous place to Kayak; and if you happen to take a swim; a constant 75 degrees, year round!


We rented Kayaks from a local outfitter and headed up stream from our campground, first for 1.3 miles to the Rainbow Springs attraction which includes Azalea landscapes in full bloom, waterfalls, trails, and the former location of the "wild animal" zoo.



Time for lunch (it was noon after all), and then back on the river, downstream for over 5 miles.  Great paddling, passing some really nice riverside homes, landscapes, and lots of "critters'; birds, turtles and even an occasional alligator.

Mermaids are alive and well..................

and living at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park!

Since 1947, Weeki Wachee has had live mermaid shows in the deepest fresh water spring in the United States.  Thirty minute shows feature underwater gymnastics and drama performed entirely under water.  The mermaids never come up for air, but instead continue to use breather tubes invented back in 1947.  Shows include The Little Mermaid and Fish Tails.

Morey visited when he was 10; and not much has changed.  Actually, the mermaids look even better.

The State of Florida took over the park a few years ago and are working on restoring the park to its former self. You still view the show from 16 feet under water!  (No leaks)

Don't miss this Florida attraction!

Cinnamon Bay, St.John USVI

We're back!  Last visited 2 years ago...what a great place to be when the weather up north, goes south! Was 4 weeks here too long?  No Way!

We arrived in mid January. Set up our tent and "roughed it".

Great beaches, great snorkeling, and most important, great visitors.  Dan, Liz, Jack & Logan came for 8 days; ending up being 10 days because flights were cancelled due to snow up North...Too bad!?  Then Len and Ruth joined us; roughing it...but enjoying the beaches and weather.

We hit the beaches...Cinnamon Bay, Maho Bay, Hawksnest, Caneel Bay, Little Lamashur Bay, Waterlemon, and more.  We hiked the roads and the trails to our favorite places, and we took a day sale from Coral Bay with our friends, Len and Ruth.  And we enjoyed Cruz Bay (which has grown up in the 38 years we've been coming); happy hour at Joe's Rum Hut, Woody's for a great grilled fish sandwich, and many finer restaurants.

The pictures tell our story...............................

Family picture with striped tube socks!

 

Biggest Sand Castle Ever...Pharoh Land

 

Len, Ruth, and us

On the way to the "Estate"

Evening entertainment