Location: Manatee Springs State Park, Fl
I'm baaack! We survived the bike ride home in the dark "entertained" by the lighting flashes in the distance and dodging the crabs skittering across the road. Occasionally one of us would run over a crab, you could hear the crunch, and then the shout out, "Sorry!". Fortunately, no tires were flattened (only crabs) and we made it back in one piece. We continued our drive farther South down Florida's coast. The towns were few and far between with signs referencing "Crackers", Dixie, bible verse billboards and the occasional fish shop. This one is pretty typical.
Occasionally we'd see a roadside BBQ with a smoker going. We finally broke down and decided to stop. Basic rule - always pick one with local plates and/or lots of pick up trucks in the parking lot. This one looked pretty good and it did not disappoint!
We each got a plate special. BBQ beef or pork, side of beans, coleslaw, sweet potatoes and garlic bread. $5.25 each. Damn it was good. Of course I had to sample everyone of the BBQ sauces. They had it covered - Vinegar, Mustard, Sweet, and Smokey. Got to love the South!
Love this picture of these horses grazing in a purple field. Such pretty country here.
We finally arrived at Manatee Springs State Park, we're camped in palmetto groves situated on the Suwanee River. It was one of our favorite places on a previous trip about 5 years ago. We got situated in our campsite and set-up Ned's fancy homemade screened porch. Nice going Ned!! You're very clever. It should work great for the yellow flies (which hurt like a son of a $&! when they bite and the noseums which make you itch like crazy).
I couldn't wait to hit the springs - snorkel gear (check), towel (check), underwater camera (check), let's get this show on the road!
Manatee Springs produces 100 million gallons of clear cool water daily and feeds into the Suwanee River. This swimming hole is 25ft deep with a tremendous "boil". There is 26,000 ft of cave passageway, making it one of the longest systems in North America. The manatees use this sping in the winter because it's warmer than the Suwanee River.
We saw tons of snakes (and were assured they were non-venomous) and lots of pretty fish. The water is such a vibrant color of turquoise it's hard to believe it's real. Ned got some beautiful shots underwater.
We also had fun taking photos of each other. I wish I could have captured the sparking bubbly water being kicked up in the sunlight off of Ned's fins. I found it a bit tricky to man the camera while swimming against the current of the springs.
I just loved swimming in this cool little spring next to the huge Mangrove trees. The temperature of the water is a constant 72 degrees which felt great considering it was about 87 degrees outside. The water really did seem this blue as you were swimming in it.
We were swimming and snorkeling for about an hour when KABOOM! An afternoon thunderstorm seem to come from out of nowhere. When we popped up from the water everyone was hurriedly packing up and beginning to run for cover. We figured it was a good time to hop on our bikes and head back for the campsite. And a good thing too. It poured! Ned's handy screen enclosure worked great for a popcorn and wine dinner! I think we're turning Floridian.
After the cloud burst we decided to explore the park via our bikes. We did a short bike ride on a boardwalk that takes you through a mangrove forest out to the Suwanee River. We saw turtles, snakes, fish and brightly colored woodpeckers. We've decided that Manatee Springs Park is now number one, bumping Lake Fausee Point to number two.
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