Blue Spring State Park is a state park located west of Orange City, Florida in the United States. The park is a popular tourist destination; available activities include canoeing, SCUBA diving, kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming.
We decided to travel there to see the manatees before they all left as they only stay there when their normal habitat is too cold. This park is on the St. Johns Rive and has a little inlet with warmer water for the manatees. It was easy to get to and saw no traffic until we got to the entrance. We were worried that the park was full and that this was the line to get in only when other cars left, but that was not the case.
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| Line waiting to get into the park |
Once inside the park, parking was almost full, we decided to walk the boardwalk.
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| The boardwalk along the lagoon |
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| Manatees just hanging out |
Walking along the boardwalk we were able to see the manatees enjoying themselves just hanging out in the warm water of the lagoon. There were also many large fish just swimming about also
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| The manatee boundary fro swimmers & kayakers |
In the summer, when the manatees aren't here, swimmers, tubers & kayakers may enjoy the clear fresh water for recreation. Thoses activites are prohibited when the manatees are there.
The St Johns River was a major commercial waterway in the 1800s. One of the first settlers house is still there and is available for a self guided tour. being from New England and living with antiques, this was no big thrill for us except to learn the history of the area on the storyboards.
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| The kitchen. Things we see at local New England auction every week. But a big thrill for some people & school groups |
After we saw all that we could, we started back hoping to find a few antique or thrift shops along the way. One in particular, Elly bought a few small items. The owners ex-wife was from Worcester, small world, he had a flip top drafting table that was made at the Washburn Shops in Worcester. He brought out his prized possession, an ovoid stone jug from PA along with a signed book by the clown Emmett Kelly.
After we got back to Mount Dora we made resrvations tthe pisces Rising restaurant. We got a table outside to watch the sunset over Lake Dora.
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| Pisces Rising Restaurant |
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| Outdoor Seating |
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| watching the sun set from our table |
Elly had the duck & I had the fresh catch. Both were outstanding. We will return to this restaurant often I think
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