Wakulla Springs October 25, 2021
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Humor, Nature, Travel & Leisure.trackback
There’s lots to do at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.
Hiking Trails over the river and through the woods.
Watching the water for manatees, mermaids, alligators, and avian visitors.
Boat Rides down the Wakulla River for bird and gator sightings aplenty.
Dining (and lodging) in the historic Lodge.
But here’s a quick tip: don’t plan to dive into the largest and deepest fresh water springs in the world UNLESS you’re a fan of 68 degree water temps.
After darkness descended outside, we dined inside ~> BFF opted for a French Dip and Fries while I enjoyed a grilled veggie stack (zucchini, summer squash, roasted peppers) smothered in marinara and mozzarella served with two sides.
I chose cheese grits AND smashed red skin potatoes.
Don’t judge.
Unlike our earlier hesitation about diving into the Springs, we dove into the food as soon as it arrived . . . before snapping a single shot. My bad.
As slight consolation, here’s a view of the elegant and historic dining room.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 
It all looks wonderful. But 68 degree water? That’s a hot tub up here.
“Cold” is relative ~> these days, we prefer pool temps in the 80’s. That’s because we’re “Floridated.”
As a kid, I’d swim in anything . . . including the Atlantic Ocean just off Kennebunk Beach. Now, that would be a bit BRRRisk for me.
We prefer to call it refreshing.
😉
You handle Maine winters better than I would too!
I *sigh* when I see photos of FL. So pretty and flat. I live among the hills, so seeing the horizon seems special. Love the dining room. Glad your meal was tasty.
The area we visited, near Tallahassee, is “hilly” in comparison with where we live on the Gulf Coast ~ of course, the hills are meters high, not miles high. Not like the NC Mountains which used to be one of our stomping grounds. 😀
Overall, we enjoyed the short 3 day getaway . . . seeing some new-to-us sights, wandering around, wondering what might be coming up around the bend.
That’s pretty cold water for Florida! Not sure I’d jump in anyway as alligators frighten me.
Per the park ranger who gave us a boat tour of the river, the alligators stay away from the swimming hole during the day when bathers are present . . . but I’m with you, Kate.
Alligators + swimmers = NOT perfect together. 😛
I’d get the crazy gator who can’t tell time!
I know, right? They don’t wear wrist watches . . . and only Tick Tock (the croc from Peter Pan) warns of his approach via an alarm clock!
Tick-Tock the Crocodile is a croc of monstrous proportions that dwells on the isle of Neverland. After swallowing the hand of Captain Hook (who lost it in battle with Peter Pan), Tick-Tock liked the taste so much that he has been in constant pursuit of the villainous pirate, in hopes of devouring the rest of him. However, the crocodile also swallowed an alarm clock at some point, and its constant ticking acts as something of a warning for the ever-fearful Hook.
Did you find any mermaids? Now I am thinking about cheese grits.
Alas, no mermaids. I’ve heard they’re shy. I was almost 20 when I tried grits for the first time ~> YUM!
Cheese grits- YES! Plain grits- yuck.
Grits and tatties! It must be a change of season ❣️Embrace without judgement and trust you will get back into the groove.
…as I am telling myself 😉
I expect the “change of season” did have something to do with it ~ it was 10-20 degrees cooler in the Panhandles during the morning hours. Instead of the mid 70’s, it was in the mid 50’s.
That said, I enjoy grits and tatties year round . . . though not usually at the same meal. 😛
It looks like a beautiful river and lodge. I hope you had a good time. Even though I live in the northwest, I don’t like anything below 80 degrees for swimming. Although I don’t know the temperature of the lakes we used to swim in when I was a kid. Probably colder than 68 degrees.
The Jersey Shore was probably around 68 for much of the summer. The Maine Coast we visited was colder than that. When the swim club opened Memorial Day Weekend, I’m sure the water was in the low 60’s. We didn’t care. We were KIDS! (No sense, no feeling).
Last night, we watched a Reader’s Digest “Journey of a Lifetime” travelogue which included a segment on Lapland, Samis, and Reindeer. In it, the hearty Fins sat in the Sauna until they were “cooked” and then ran through the snow to dive in a hole in the ice to cool off in the frigid waters below. Then they ran back through the snow (cold, wet, 75% naked) to get “cooked” again. They are healthy and claim it’s great for the circulatory system.
Nope. Not me. Not going to do it.
That’s a beautiful place to stay. I wouldn’t have been swimming in that ttemperature either! 🙂
I bet your neighbor and her fellow swimmers would have JUMPED at the chance . . . while you and I watched from the shore.
You are right! N would have revelled in the chill! 😊
As my great aunt (from Scotland) used to say: “It takes all kinds.” 😀
What a super place to spend a day! And I always enjoy your meal choices–you won’t get any judging from me! LOL! Hope you spied a mermaid or two, just to complete the experience.
A mermaid would have been just the thing!
We did see manatees floating in the springs ~ some think sailors mistook manatees for mermaids . . . although personally I don’t see the resemblance. 😛