After our little mini vacation to the Everglades and Big Cypress, we came home only to meet up with some friends of ours at Silver Springs State Park. This was by far the clearest and most beautiful spring we have visited. Getting to explore with friends was just the icing on the cake.
The first thing we spotted as we entered the park was a gopher tortoise laying eggs in a shallow sandy hole near the boardwalk. We decided to start out the day by checking out the small museum and art gallery. There were some truly wonderful pictures. Britt loved the creature from the black lagoon stuff which was filmed at Silver Springs. Ruth and I especially enjoyed all the magnificent photographs. Kate liked sitting in the captains chair and we let her ring the bell once. The others looked around but were mostly eager to go on to the glass bottom boats.
Riding on the Glass Bottom Boats of Silver Springs is not to be missed. You can see some incredibly beautiful sights from the shore, gazing across or down into the crystal clear water, but it doesn't compare to viewing the seagrasses, fish, and springs through the glass bottom of the boats. Silver Springs isn't just a single spring but several, and in 20 minutes the lake area completely renews it's water, pushing the water that was there down the river. Considering how much water covers that area, it's impressive that the water bubbles up that fast with such force. The kids were amazed, but us adults were just as awed by the boat ride.
After that we had a picnic lunch before walking through some of the gardens which is a bit lack luster these days. But it did have some cool wings painted in it that all the girls HAD to take a picture with. We both took turns taking family photos for each other, before heading over to the boardwalk. Both of the men folk had a bum leg that day, so they kept each other company while we went in search of the monkeys. Contrary to popular belief they weren't released in the park by a movie studio during the filming of Tarzan. Rather they were bought and released by a tour boat operator who billed his tours as a jungle tour. there are between two and three hundred now in the park. However, we didn't manage to spot any on our visit.
After that we all had to get home, so we loaded up in the cars and drove around to the other side of the park to get the kids their junior ranger stamps for the park that day. The other side of the park also contains trails. There are also loads of RV spots as well as several cabins which can be rented out. We'd really love to come again and camp out at the park. They say it's hard to get reservations, but there was practically no one there when we went on a Friday.
We had a great time and all would love to go again with friends or family, the only real draw back is that you cannot swim at these springs. If you'd like to make a trip the address to Silver Springs State Park is 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, Florida. Their hours are eight to sundown every day of the week year round. Of course, you can always call for more information at 352-236-7148. Entrance to the park costs $8 for a car load of up to eight. The glass bottom boats are an additional cost as well as kayaks and canoes for rent.
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