Fun In The Sunshine State
Blue Spring State Park
When most people think of Orlando, Florida, theme parks like Disney World or Epcot Center come to mind. On my recent trip to the bustling city, my husband and I, and our friends, stayed well away from the congestion of these popular attractions and headed into the state parks. Incredibly, there are seven state parks within fifty miles of downtown Orlando.
We were amazed at the pristine beauty of these nature preserves. A few steps from our car led us onto the many trails, and we entered a quiet world of primal beauty where few people venture.
The first park we visited was Blue Spring State Park. It’s a manatee refuge, and in the winter months, hundreds of these endangered mammals congregate in the warm, spring-fed waters of St Johns River. It was incredible to see dozens of these amazing creatures. The spring, with its crystal clear water, is also home to Great blue herons, egrets, cormorants, and a wide variety of fish.
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Manatees
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The spring at Blue Spring State Park.
Our next trip took us to Wekiwa Springs State Park where we hiked thirteen miles (20 km) through lush, tropical vegetation, past blue-green, algae-covered wetlands, and slow-moving rivers. A variety of animal tracks were visible in the soft mud (snake, wild turkey, bear, etc.), and we startled a couple of deer and a foraging wild boar.
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Wekiwa Springs State Park
The next day, we changed things up and drove to Titusville, where we rented bicycles and cycled thirty miles (48 km) along the Florida East Central Regional Rail Trail. It’s a paved path that follows an old railway bed (Yay! No hills). The ride took us past farms, open expanses of second-growth forest, and mossy swamps.
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An airboat tour of the Everglades was another highlight. The ride in the airboat was exhilarating, and the swamplands were stunning in their raw, earthy beauty. Alligators basked in the sunshine on the banks, turtles swam in the murky water, and hundreds of wading water birds scoured the grassy hammocks for food.
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Sunbathing alligator—Lake Tohopekaliga
Our trip to Florida was one of our best holidays. Great company, fantastic scenery, and warm weather—who could ask for more? I highly recommend that the next time you visit Orlando, step off the beaten path and enjoy an adventure in all the lush beauty this area has to offer.
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Wekiwa Springs State Park
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