We visited two cold springs today. The first was Fanning Springs, a second magnitude spring. Florida’s unique karst topography gives it the largest concentration of natural springs in the world. Much of Florida rests on soluble rock, like limestone. The water dissolves the rock as it moves through it, creating sinks, caves and fissures. Underground water then rises to the surface through these passages creating natural springs. And they make amazing swimming holes!
The water is a constant 72 degrees at most of the springs year round. The center of this picture is where the springs are bubbling up.
This gives you a perspective on the entire spring. There were so many fish swimming all around us. Ned is swimming over a school of fish.You can also see the water bubbling up behind me where it is coming from underground. Most surprising is that the water didn’t feel cold at all, instead rather refreshing. It really did give us a break from the heat and humidity.
Time for a picnic lunch between visiting springs. Just love the symbiotic relationship between the different plants in this climate. We ate beneath these gorgeous oak trees with the branches lined with ferns.
Down the road a bit is Manatee Springs, a first magnitude spring. Between 35 and 150 million gallons of crystal clear water flow from this spring everyday. You can really feel the difference in the current too! Both springs looks completely calm from above, but once in the water you really have to work to swim against the current in this one. This spring gets its name because between November and April the manatee hang out here. It’s warmer than the river. Did you know manatee weigh between 1000 and 3500 lbs, can be as long as 13 feet, can live to 50 years old AND have very little body fat? Lesson to be learned, do not judge a book by its cover.
We spent the rest of the afternoon snorkeling and just floating around. For a large part of the time we had the springs to ourselves! Amazing.
So why am I floating around and looking down? Well, looking out for some other creatures. Besides the fish and turtles we were also sharing the swimming hole with these snakes. At first I was freaked out, then I figured out that they just wanted to hang out on the rocks and be chill. Every now and then one would dart across the water, but I managed to stay out of its path.
Most of the state’s springs feed into the beautiful Suwannee River. We finally dragged ourselves out of the water and went for a bike ride. So fun to ride along this boardwalk through the swamp and mangrove trees and then...
come out onto the Suwannee River. So magical.
Our camping spot for the night, along with some yummy grilled veggies. The last time we camped here (about 3 years ago) wild hogs ran through our campsite, thrashing thru the palmetto trees. Hoping for a quieter night this time.
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