We're BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!

See, I TOLD you I'd come back tonight and tell you more tales of the road.  I keep my promises.  Most times.  OK...so let's just say you're staying at Rainbow Springs State Park and you're bored.... (no, that won't happen, by the way...but play along with me.)  Maybe you just need to stretch your legs or the adventure bug got you...there are a few really nice day trips you can take to visit other state parks!  Day trip option 1: Homosassa Springs State Park and Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Park.  These two parks are practically on the same street.  Homosassa will take the bulk of your day, but stopping by Yulee after is nice.  Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park used to be an attraction, in a zoo-like park which was filled with black spider monkeys and other exotic animals such as lions, bears, hippo, monkeys, deer, and goats.  Only the hippo remains...all exotics cleared out to showcase real Florida animals.  The hippo, named Lucifer or Lu for short, is the only continuous resident and is 52 years old.  He was made a citizen of Florida by Lawton Chiles so he could remain in the park once the state bought it in 1989.  Here you WILL see native animals. Black bear, bobcats, various raptor birds; including the bald eagle, as well as Florida panthers and other native species on display...but the one everyone really wants to see are the Manatees.  They have year round residents, but the numbers grow in winter when the West Indian manatee is searching for warmer waters.  It's a great way to spend the day with the family.  Children will especially enjoy the adventure.  It's open every day of the year and is open from 9-5:30.  $13 for adults, $5 children 6-12.  Check out the official website for more information.  http://www.floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings/default.cfm

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Park is around the corner...and when you go, DO NOT BLINK or you'll miss the signage and the park!  It's small, but it has plackards up that explain what you're seeing and tells about the history of the once magnificent plantaion farm owned by David Levy Yulee, the first Jewish American to be elected to the senate.  He ran his plantation in the 1800's and grew citrus, cotton and sugar cane, producing molasses, syrup, rum and sugar.  The plantation was mostly destroyed during the Civil War.  There are some of the sugar cane industrial parts still there for you to see. 

There you have side trip 1.  Tomorrow I'll give you some photos of side trip 1 and tell you a little bit about side trip 2..... The Crystal River area.  Until then, may your rest be peaceful and deep and may your morning and day be beautiful!