Orlando without the Mouse: Boating at Wekiva Springs

And now for the final installment of the trip to Orlando and Wekiva Springs State Park. As usual click each photo for a better view.

I mentioned in an earlier post that the park provided canoes for you to paddle out and view the wilder sections of the park, and of course we could not resist trying our hand at canoeing.

We returned the next day full of excitement. We were ready to go on the water and see what adventures lay ahead for us.

Evidently paddling out into the park is a popular attraction,because we met people from several different countries who yelled to us what they had seen on their trip.

It really is an adventure because you get to see a portion of the park that you probably would not see taking the trails. I saw a huge turtle sitting on the bank but was unable to get a shot because we created so much noise moving the boat around he dived into the water and floated away.

There is swampy growth throughout the little river but certain sections are very clear and you can see the fish and turtles floating around below you.

Alex and I went out together and then took turns going out alone just to test ourselves in terms of using the boat and taking pictures. His eye is very different from mine and going alone allowed us individually to focus on what caught our interest. Here is Alex taking his turn.

And what would the adventure be without a video clip of a lighthearted event: Alex in a race with other boaters!

We have watched that clip a million times since the trip and laughed while we re-experienced the fun of the adventure. Nothing against the mouse but we had a great time and felt we really tested ourselves. I strongly encourage you if you are in the Orlando area and tired of the crowds, visit Wekiva Springs and go a little bit into the wild!

Orlando without the Mouse: Wekiva Springs

Prior to arriving in Orlando I did an online search of places to go and as you probably know, we are fans of State Parks. That was how I found Wekiva State Park. It is a undiscovered gem near I-4 which the locals know is well worth the trip. As always, click each photo for a better view.

The Springs bubbles up from the Florida aquifer and stays a constant 72 degrees F which can be cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter. For a mere $6 per car you are allowed entrance into paradise. But, be warned, plan to go during the week because over the weekend it is crowed with locals and once the park has reached capacity the rangers will turn you away (a real nightmare because you have to go through a long line up to the ranger station only to have them divert you right back out).

There are trails, either packed earth or boardwalks, throughout the park that will give you a glimpse of the real Florida.

You get a chance to see how the area changes with the birth and death cycle of trees and fauna.

And of course there is wild life. The website mentioned turkeys and bears, but when we went I guess they where hiding out from the heat. What we did encounter was this gray Squirrel we called "Peggy."

And when they say don't feed the wildlife, they mean it! Alex started feeding little Peggy bits from a cracker he had in his backpack. At one point he bent down, still holding the cracker, to continue feeding Peggy and I guess she decided that she didn't want the little bits he was providing. She grabbed the whole cracker scratching his finger in the process and clucked at us after she had it. We decided not to put up a fight and resumed walking.

In addition to the trails and swimming in the spring there is a river that runs from the location. You can rent a boat to travel out into the wilder, unseen portions of the park, which is an adventure in itself.

It was a great experience, despite the heat, that of course we could not resist... but that will be covered in another post.

The website said you could scuba dive down into the spring which we were not prepared or trained to do. The next best thing was a picture and a video clip where you can get as close as possible to doing that.

You can hear the ranger say on the video that I needed a special filter to get a view down into the spring. I love proving people wrong... while not perfect, it does give a clear view both down into the spring and a sense of how the water is continually bubbling up.

And so, if you are ever in the Orlando area and tired of the crowds and overpriced events. Give Wekiva Springs a try. Nature has by far outdone the mouse!

A Different View of Orlando

I once spent a very long week in Las Vegas and realized once you got away from the Strip it is a very pleasant Southern California type town. The same can be said for Orlando. Once you get away from the giant mouse it becomes a city, much like other cities.

When Alex lived there I would go on weekends and we spent a lot of time on a lake near St Cloud to just people watch and play with our cameras. His was more powerful than mine back then but I got some good shots anyway:


The wedding runaway:

I love this shot because it speaks to all the chaos that occurs before you get those wonderfully planned wedding shots. There are several things going on at once with the photographer trying to get everyone settled, the older parents looking out into the future on the left, two guys in the back probably discussing sports, and the runaway off in his own world.

Visions on a summer day

The caption says it all... I was fascinated that both the boy and girl appear deep in thought but the girl is looking up and the boy is looking down.

Why you live in Florida:


Next to the wedding runaway, this shot from Orlando is one of my favorites. Just looking at it brings back the joys of warm summer evenings with the sun drifting slowly into the lake, and the gentle sound of water lapping the shore. I guess it is one of the reasons you live in Florida.