Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, White Springs, Florida
Today we began with a casual drive and walk around town. At one time, White Springs was the largest town in Florida. Not much here now except the State Park. Part of the reason for that growth was the commercialization of the touted healing spring.
These holes used to have gates on them to regulate the height of the water.
The lighting this morning is such that we couldn’t get really good pictures. The sky reflected in the pool.
This is the spring flowing into the Suwanee River
This seems to be the top level.
The holes in the walls seem to be where the other three floors were anchored.
Views of the river
Time to move on!
We walked halfway across this bridge to take the next picture.
That’s the building we were just in
This is the Sophia Jane Adams house, built in 1893
This place was pretty run-down looking. Only the windows on the bottom floor were original.
You would think with the town declining, what history they have would be kept up, wouldn’t you?
I forgot to remember the date on this house.
Maybe the early 1900’s?
We wanted to take advantage of the warm day and walk more, so after a light lunch back at the coach, we ventured about 10 minutes away to a nearby State Park called Big Shoals. They have a 2.4 mile round-trip trail we wanted to try because of the rapids we’d read about. When the river is between 59-61 feet, they claim Class III White Water. Today’s level is only about 53-54 feet, but there should still be running water if nothing else. 😊
A bit of ‘Jeepin’ to get there.
More bats!
This one was larger and you could actually hear them!
Wanna hear them? Check out the video! Sorry my finger was over the lens though.
A touch of Fall – still!
A touch of Fall – – still!
We walked along the river to the ‘rapids’ view area.
This is what we see growing all over the place.
They ARE sharp! Don’t get too close!
What a view!!
Not.
Of course we weren’t content with that! Down to the water we go!
This is what we had to traverse to get to the water.
Now that’s much better!
I could stay here for hours!
Unfortunately, we had a rain deadline. As we approached the ‘turn around’ point, Blaine says, “Feel like another adventure?” “Sure!” And off we went. It seemed to me like we were headed even further from the Jeep. There was no one around.
Our 2.4 mile walk became 6.
More Fall!
I love it!
We passed through a former ‘burn area’, but not sure if it was planned or nature that caused the burn. You can tell it’s been a while ago because of all the ground cover now.
I just liked the swirly foam pattern. : )
Whoa! This sounds ominous!
You’re kidding, right?
I thought this one was pretty.
Along the way, there wasn’t a lot to see, but we did see an armadillo, a lizard, and I saw a black snake. No picture of the snake because he slithered away before I could take his picture.
More need for trail maintenance.
Occasionally, we do what we can and toss branches off the trail, but in places like this, if we did them all, we’d never be done!
What in the world did they do? And why?
There were quite a few roadblocks like this along the way.
Did you notice that this one is quite a bit darker than the ones from the Island?
Wonder why?
The skies were getting really dark, so I got out my phone out and checked – – service! Yes! It told me there was a 60% chance of rain starting at 3pm. It was 2:49 when the sprinkles began. The sprinkles developed into drops, the drops to steady rain. The Jeep was still about 20 minutes away.
Good thing it was warm today!
TOTAL MILES: 6
Year to Date: 33.75
Daily Average: 3