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This park is now merged with Silver Springs, Nature's
Theme Park, located just east of Ocala, Florida. The springs
are one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world,
producing nearly 550 million gallons of crystal-clear water
daily. I'm sure one would never thirst again. The 1960s
television show Sea Hunt was filmed here, as were
countless movies, including one of the Tarzan
movies and Creature From The Black Lagoon.
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| A view of
Silver Springs wiht the glass bottom boat in the
background |
I'm standing in front of the
fountain |
Hiking, camping, and biking are popular, but by the looks of it.
I sure wished that I could have had the opportunity to have gone
canoeing or kayaking down the clear river. My other half
explained to me that that probably was not a good idea due to
the fact that the alligators are always hungry and would have
found me exceptionally delightful for an appetizer. At least I
could say that they have good taste. There are 5,000 acres of
pure freedom to roam, as you may know I could have tromped every
nook and cranny of that in no time flat. It is my duty to cover
as much ground as one possibly can, that sounds like doggie
heaven to me. Just sayin'.
After my human companion and I set up our site we journeyed
through the park, I had the honor to lead the way as she rode
her electric bike which only would travel at the speed of 15
miles per hour. I now had the chance to show her what I was
made of, I‘m sure that I must have been soaring through the air
at least 50 miles an hour. In my world the faster you go the
more you see.
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Our campsite |
I take a break with my human at the fountain |
While hiking, there is a good chance you will come across the
wonderful wild life of Florida white-tailed deer, wild boars,
wild turkeys, foxes, American alligators, Sherman's fox
squirrels, gopher tortoises, coyotes, bobcats and even Florida
black bears. So unfortunately my human had to keep a tight leash
on me, but little does she know I wasn't afraid. I'm sure I
could have taken them on all at one time. Lucky for them we did
not run across these so called wild animals.
The camp sites are set up extra wide for those who are traveling
in RVs as well as us campers. There are all the essentials that
are needed electric and water hook ups, also a barbeque grill,
and a fire pit. They do sell firewood, so of course we did have
our pit blazing.
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| The glass bottomed boat |
Some turtles sunning on a log in
Silver Springs |
There are 10 cabins located there, my partner did not want me to
explore that area, she was afraid that I may go greet the
visitors with warm doggie kisses. I do not see the problem
there, after all who could resist me.
The park is very well lit up, with clean bathrooms and hot
showers. Later on that late afternoon as we were at our site my
human decided to fix us a bite to eat; while she was busy I knew
this was my chance to make a break for it. I am a very clever
boy and I figured a way to come out of my harness and off I went
as fast as lighting. My first stop was a couple of sites down I
saw my kind there, I just wanted to go see if they were having
as much fun as I was. I was headed for the Pioneer
Village to see what was hanging around there from the old days
but I was captured and returned to the campsite.
The next day we drove about a mile to where the famously known
glass bottom boat is located. We explored one of Florida's
oldest tourist attractions. Glass bottom boat tours of the
springs began in the late 1870s. I am not very familiar with
numbers but I think that must be the oldest thing in the world.
We strolled through the park and saw beautiful landscaping. They
had the most unique looking trees that I have ever seen and
believe me I have seen many many trees in my day. It's a dog
thing. These trees were growing twisted and bent every which
way.
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| A twisted tree frames the
kayaker paddling on the springs |
The shade sure feels good |
A colony of rhesus macaques monkeys were brought to Silver
Springs in 1938. The monkeys were released by tour boat operator
Colonel Tooey, to enhance his Jungle Cruise ride.
Unfortunately we did not see any monkeys, but we did see a pizza
shop and of course we ordered my favorite, "Pepperoni" we
brought it outside near the water and enjoyed every bite of it.
My other half was trying to convince me to savor every bite, I
don't know who she is trying to kid, in my world the faster you
eat the more you get.
For more info:
http://www.floridastateparks.org/silversprings/default.cfm
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