Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Cool Clear Waters

I have been reading the stories about the heatwave on the mainland and the power troubles in St. Louis and California. I have no right to complain that it is 91 or 92 degrees, hotter, more humid and earlier than what I had grown accustomed to for Maui. Still some cool thoughts are in order.

One of my excursions in Florida was to Silver Glenn Springs in the Ocala National Forest. The water in these springs like most in Florida is crystal clear and about 72 degrees.

Think cool thoughts and go for a swim in this spring. The water comes from a cave crevice in the bottom with enough force to push you backwards.















The gang of four for the trip to the springs. C,M,M,+C. We were the skinny people there that day.















Click the picture for a larger view and dive in.















This was a first for me. Seeing Vultures acting like pigeons at the picnic area. Always a dark side to life it seems.


















A short trail led to a much smaller group of springs and creek that fed into the larger group for the short river run to the St. Johns River.














I hope all you hot people felt a momentary bit of relief from the heat.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't you worry about alligators while swimming in creeks and ponds in Florida? Although it looks like the waters there are so clear you'd see them coming. Beautiful!

Christopher C. NC said...

I don't worry to much about alligators, water moccasins and cotton mouths but I am aware to be on the lookout for them. I managed to wander through the woods and swamps and waters of Florida as a child and survive. There were alligator signs posted along the edge of the springs but the springs are so cool this wouldn't be a favored gator habitat I don't think.

It was quite busy with people too, so there were plenty of tasty morsels to choose from other than me.

deb said...

I LOVE the springs in Florida. Clear, cold, and it's like swimming in an aquarium.

The crazy Australian guy, the crocodile hunter, did a show in Fl where he swam with the alligators, big alligators. Not me!

Annie in Austin said...

Is the State of Florida paying you for this website, Christopher? It seems that photos like these should draw a different kind of visitors - not the Disney kind!

Christopher C. NC said...

Anyone who wants to put in a good word for me with Jeb certainly can. Cash would be nice.

I guess I am just not the Disney type tourist and when your whole family still lives there and many old friends I see the real Florida not the marketed one. Plus I have a predilection for wandering off into the woods.

You can go into my archives and see some of the real Maui. Better I promote Florida I think.

whistlestop caboose said...

Oh, these are lovely and cool! I'm delighted to finally start finding a little time to get back and visit your pages. Will read more in the morning. Thanks for posting all this.