I'm STILL ALIVE!

I made it through the trails to the springs.  The trails were lovely, all paved and would you believe, not ONE SINGLE BEAR? All that practice with Vincent and the cat, all to no avail.  I think it was because I was wearing a "pro bear shirt"...

"See, bears?  I'm on YOUR side!!"

I asked my trusty trip planning cat to direct me where I should go.  He just laid down on the floor and put his paw on this... so, I took his advice.

"Go to the spring, mom!"

The map to the park gave a route to walk down to the springs.  You can also drive to the springs and park (but if it's summer or nice weather...you're best to walk, as it gets VERY busy. with car traffic.  And by very busy I mean "HOLY CRAP THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE!" busy.  It was like everyone in central Florida decided that this was the best, nicest place on earth to go, AT THE SAME TIME.  I gingerly tiptoed through the people like they were tulips and found my way to a wonderful boardwalk, and took in the breath taking sights.  The water smelled WONDERFUL...like, you don't want to just swim in it...the smell... clean, bright, delicious, actually made you thirsty.  There were lots of people in the water...divers, snorkelers, swimmers, floating in tubes, paddling in kayaks and canoes.  Just past the swimming area, however, there were a lot more GAR than there were people.  I'm going in the springs tomorrow.  I can't wait to see one up close.  As far as I can tell, they don't attack or intentionally bite people, even though they have razor sharp teeth.  I have a housing for my camera, and I'd love to get a shot of the ancient fish.  Did you know it could breath air?  It can live out of water for about 2 hours.

The footpath to the springs

Information about the springs...

The boardwarlk

View of the springs from the boardwalk

Swimmers having fun..

The springs

The boardwalk

View of the springs again

More springs

Maple

The long needle nosed Alligator Gar

Alligator Gar

Alligator Gar

The springs and a Spanish moss draped trees

The path was about 300 steps.  It's a doable....even for the fat and out of shape like me.  I only counted because nothing in the park literature says how long the footpath was.  On my way out, I was treated to a visit with an adorable bunny....

But then some little kids came by and frightened it away.  Dang feral children.  OK, no...these kids had parents.  Still...I hate when they intrude on my nature time.  Rabbits don't like kids singing "Little Bunny Frou Frou" at the top of their lungs....and they tend to run away...but hey.  Whatever.


When I got back to the rig, Rudy said he wanted a walking adventure.... so we strapped on the gear and went for a stroll.... he's quite brave when he's walking outside.  At this park, he likes to circle the RV, a few times, then we look at each other, and I ask him "Do you want to be brave?"  he looks back and me and puts some resolve in his eyes, and the answer seems to be "YES!" and we go out into the road and walk either up or down the street.  One way, he runs into another RV and gets scared of it and the people.... the other way, there are children and dogs and it frightens him.  I think the most miraculous thing is, he KNOWS where HIS RV is.  When he's spooked by something, he turns, and walks to our site and goes directly to the steps and sits there and waits for the door to open.  He's amazing on a leash...like a boss.

WOO HOO!!!  WE ARE OUTSIDE!

Let's go this way!

What's over there?

Let's just chill here a while...

Isn't the shade lovely?

Well, that's my initial springs adventure... tomorrow, I'll share with you Hontoon Island and Lower Wekiwa River Preserve State Parks....and another few surprise adventures.  Until then, have a peaceful night.  Thank you for stopping by!