Silver Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Florida
He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” ~ Revelation 14:7
Good morning, new neighbor!
The bikes came out today. It’s so easy to ride in Florida, even if it’s on sandy trails in the woods. As long as the sand isn’t too soft. There’s a reason they call people around here “flatlanders”. 😊
This is the observation area.
Just what are we supposed to be observing?
Look at that palm tree growing right up out of the middle of the water!
Oh, wow!
Now the question is – – –
Where exactly can we find them??
So we rode about 9 miles today, just around some walking/biking trails and over to Silver Springs Park where the glass-bottom boat tours are.
Here we are!
That’s a glass-bottom boat which have operated in some form on this river since the late 1800s.
This is the view of the water from the viewing area near where the boats are.
Look how clear it is!
I don’t know how deep the water is, but rest assured, it’s a lot deeper than it looks!
It’s part of the State Park where we’re staying. We walked around a little, but knowing we’d be returning, we didn’t stay long.
They still have some flowers blooming here.
I took this picture because of the tree, look how it wraps around the decking!
Which do you supposed was there first?
And of course, Blaine just adds to the picture. : )
This is the Seminole Indian, Osceola.
Do you remember him from when we visited Fort Moultrie last December?
How cute! A frog slide!
And then there’s Blaine, adding to the cuteness factor! : )
Here’s some information we came across on information boards while we were there.
In 1870, Silver Springs State Park became Florida’s first tourist attraction because it has one of the largest artesian springs in the world. We walked around some, but didn’t stay long because it was getting late and we wanted to get home before dark. When we go back over, we’ll be able to give more information, but here’s what we know so far:
- It only costs $2.00 to get into the Park. As campers, we get in for free.
- They still have the glass bottom boat tours, but they cost $11 for 30-45 minutes, or $25 for 90 minutes.
We most likely won’t take the tour because we have our kayak that sits low in the water. We’re thinking we should be able to see just fine. Of course, Blaine would have to provide commentary because if I did it, I’d either have to turn around or shout.
- Silver Springs is probably the largest First Magnitude Springs in the United States and one of the world’s largest with a daily flow that has averaged over 500 million gallons per day.
- It consists of 30 springs with 61 vents (openings for water flow). The largest, Mammoth or Main Spring that you can see here at the Park, has a vent measuring 5 feet by 135 feet at a depth of 30 feet.
- Water temperature is 72 degrees year round
- The water is about 20 years old, which means its journey started as rainfall 20 years ago. (How do they know that???)
- It forms the Silver River flowing 4 ½ miles to the Ocklawaha River.
- It has attracted people here for over 12,000 years.
- Was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1972.
- Has a recharge area, where the water originates, of over 750 miles.
And more information:
Geologists estimate that there are over 600 springs in Florida producing more than 8 billion gallons of water a day. Thirty-three are First Magnitude springs, each with flow of over 65 million gallons per day. This is the largest concentration of freshwater springs on earth!
The reason for the abundance of springs is a terrain called Karst. It is formed by rainwater entering the ground and dissolving the limestone bedrock, forming sinkholes, caverns, and springs. The underground river in the porous limestone is called the Floridan Aquifer, the source of 90% of the state’s drinking water. Springs are ‘windows’ on the aquifer. What we see flowing out of the springs is what is in the aquifer. Think of springs as not the beginning but the ‘end of the pipe,’ after the water has completed its journey through the ground and under towns, farms, businesses and lawns.
If we’d had better lighting, I wouldn’t have had to type this all out! There would’ve been a picture. 😊