Salt and Silver

Springs, that is. Swimming fish. Manatees. After leaving Tampa, we headed toward Salt Springs Recreation Area. Full hook up sites in a national forest are somewhat rare so we were thrilled to get a couple of days in Florida's wildlife corridor. 

Salt Springs is a great little area that would probably lose a little of its peacefulness in the height of summer. We watched the fish swimming around, located a group of manatee just beyond the swimming area, and watched a couple of eating-size (Harold's words)  blue crabs scurry around. 

You are allowed to swim in the springs, just don't harass the wildlife. We ventured in the water late one afternoon. The water was 72 degrees. The air temperature was around 60 degrees. I think I was in the water a total of about 30 seconds, if that. Polar Bear Plunge material I am not.

Silver Springs was about 35 minutes away, and I wanted to ride on the glass bottom boats. I remembered taking a boat ride during a family vacation way back when. Did you know that glass bottom boats were invented in Silver Springs? During the 1870's, Hullam Jones added a glass bottom to his rowboat.

The area is now a state park, as opposed to a privately owned venture. The area found it hard to compete with the theme parks a little further south. The state's goal is to restore the area, protect the environment, and promote it as a part of the "Old Florida." After being in the metro areas of Orlando and Tampa, we certainly liked the respite. 

Salt Springs

Yum?

 Where Are We Going Next?