Today we headed north about an hour to Blue Spring State Park. After we spent some time near the spring amazed by the manatees, we took a cruise on the St. John’s River to experience its shimmering blue water first-hand. This habitat for the threatened and endangered was a joy to behold!

Click on the first photo in each group and scroll to see the square photos at full size.
To start at the beginning of this series, visit Seeking the Sun 2023.

Feels Like Home

We’ve been to Orlando quite a few times compared to other locations around the country. When our daughters were young and Disney was on our minds a whole lot more, we visited several times. When the grandkids came along, we just had to come back again – when each was about four years old.

By our third trip to Florida, The Fountains Resort was up and running. Once we stayed here, we never looked back! It’s pretty centrally located to the stuff we enjoy, and although we haven’t gone to Disney World in years, we do love Disney Springs. And we can usually depend on Florida’s moderate temperatures when we’re escaping Wisconsin’s frigid ones.

On this trip we had a twelve-night reservation. We ventured out on several day trips and met some new timeshare friends. But mostly we were content sitting by the pool with an umbrella drink, watching Netflix in our spacious condo, and exploring the grounds and its wildlife. And a little shopping, and a movie.

The Beautiful Lake Eve

Although the first few photos below may feel like we’re already at Blue Spring State Park, we are still at the Fountains on the boardwalk near Lake Eve. The gorgeous Limpkin way out on the railing stayed put while I walked very slowly past him and then turned around to get even closer. I guess I didn’t seem like a threat, so he treated me to several great pictures.

If you’re into fishing it’s an option on this lake, but I do believe it’s catch and release. Although last time we were here there were herds of turtles, this time – not so much. We had to settle for beautiful ducks instead. I know, life is hard.

Blue Spring State Park

Today we left a little early for the one-hour drive to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. The entry fee is $6 per vehicle, so it’s a wonderful and cheap afternoon! It pays to get there a little early, because once the parking lot is full, nobody can go in until someone comes out.

We took a walk along a boardwalk that parallels the Spring to check out the vibrant green water and its inhabitants. We could see the massive manatees beneath the water and a set of nostrils or two, but that’s about it.

It turns out manatees are not that easy to photograph unless you catch them at feeding time or at a park with an underwater viewing tank. In fact, the photo just above is from the website of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park which we visited several years ago in Between the Greens. That year I had the same luck getting a photo.

A small number of manatees had GPS tags that float above them so their whereabouts can be tracked. Those came in handy when we were out where the water was not as clear so we were alerted to their presence.

An Important Winter Refuge for Manatees

“Blue Spring is a first-magnitude spring that discharges over 102 million gallons of water daily into the St. Johns River. When early American botanist John Bartram paddled into Blue Spring in 1774, he appreciated the “admirable fountain” but objected to the water’s “most disagreeable taste.”

Years later in 1971, “The Forgotten Mermaids” episode of the Underwater World of Jacques Cousteau was filmed here. The documentary brought attention to the importance of Blue Spring as a winter refuge for manatees, greatly influencing the state’s decision to purchase the land.

Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge and provides habitat for at least 15 threatened or endangered plants and animals. More than 150 bird species have been identified at the park…” ~ READ MORE

St. Johns River Nature Cruise

The park has many amenities for enjoying the river, and plenty of hiking trails, 51 campsites, and pavilions with grills for when you get a little hungry. We booked a two-hour St. Johns River Nature Cruise that was absolutely fantastic with a captain and a tour guide to share some of their experiences and a little history about the place. Pretty much all of this section of the river was a no wake zone, which made for a relaxing and informative cruise.

We had to stay a designated distance from shore, so at times it was tough to get great shots of the wildlife that was sunning itself that beautiful day, but enough turned out pretty good that you get the idea of what a wonderful time we had there.

Back in Orlando for Dinner

Another of the things we love about Orlando is that there is no shortage of fabulous places to grab dinner and a beer. Ford’s Garage Orlando Vineland has quickly become one of our favorites since it’s very conveniently located in the Vineland Premium Outlets close to home. Ford’s Garage was where we were introduced to Luminescence Hazy IPAs by Florida Avenue Brewing Co. Yummy!

Next up: Day Trip to Port Canaveral

Happy trails,
Barb