What attracted us to Ginnie Springs were the seven springs and spring runs that empty into the Santa Fe River. Although the weather during our stay was rainy and cold, Ginnie Springs is one of our favorite spots in Florida. Each group of springs has entry/exit stairs with handrails, a pavilion, a bathhouse, a volleyball court, campsites and plenty of parking. The springs have limestone bottoms and each spring was a unique shade of blue.
The water in the Santa Fe River is colored brown by tannin; where the spring water faded into the river water was an eerie sight. The springs are 72 degrees year round, so swimming and snorkeling in them was not a problem. The last day we were there, we aired up the Sea Eagle, our two-person kayak, and set off from the first river entry. Luckily, we were wearing wet suits because the river was about 50 degrees!
While kayaking, we found three unnamed springs on the other side of the river. We would spot bubbles on the surface and paddle close to see the springs. The paddle down to the river take out was about 3-1/2 to 4 hours and the river was high from all the rain this season. During the summer, you would tube, canoe or kayak the Santa Fe, emerging from the river at different springs or just drifting to the tube take out.
The dive shop/office/store sells or rents all types of diving equipment and has instructors available for cave-diving or basic snorkel or scuba lessons. We camped at Ginnie Springs for four nights and five days. We were the only RVers, so we had our choice of camping sites with electricity and water. For tent camping, there are some gorgeous sites along the banks of the Santa Fe. Each tent site came with water, BBQ grill and picnic table.
Ginnie Springs, Otter Springs, Poe Springs, Hart Springs and Blue Springs (one of five in Florida) are located in Gilchrist County, an area with the highest concentration of freshwater springs on Earth. We did not see all the springs in northern Florida, but we tried.
We have many pictures to share when we are able to find a solution for a slide show. Stay tuned.
This is your chance to win a Lifetime Super Combo License, giving you the right to hunt and fish in Texas without ever having to buy another state license or stamp. Only $5 per entry and you can enter as many times as you like!
Drawings will be held December 30, 2009 and June 30, 2010. Enter by December 27, 2009, and you will be eligible for both drawings! Entries for the June 30, 2010 drawing must be purchased by June 27, 2010.
All proceeds from the Lifetime License Drawing fees go directly to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for on-the-ground conservation efforts that help make Texas one of the best places in the country to hunt and fish.
November is a good time for day trips to small towns. With the change of color. cooler weather and If the small towns have arts & craft shows, you will spend the day walking, chatting with artisans, eating food on a stick, enjoying your day and finding homemade treasures to give as gifts.
Includes 50+vendors, handmade items, jewelry, demonstrations, music and more.
E-mail: giddingscofc@verizon.net for more information.
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20th Homestead Craft & Children’s Fair
If you have children and want an educational experience amongst all the fun, this is where you want to be. Elmont is a little north of Waco, off IH-35.
From the website:
Crisp autumn air; the jingling of draft horse harnesses; the aroma of homemade tamales, hamburgers, pizza and gorditas; friends and neighbors visiting together; children dipping candles, eating kettlecorn, spinning wool, crafting wooden toy boats; the clanging on the blacksmith’s anvil; barn raisings; grinding wheat at the gristmill; choirs and orchestras under the big tent-the annual Homestead Craft and Children’s Fair.
Where can you get some good exercise, enjoy a fall day, laugh as a family and learn about agriculture all at the same time? At a corn maze.
I found a website that allows you to search for corn mazes in USA, Canada, UK, Italy and Poland, called cornfieldmaze.com. They are a franchise operation. If you want to start a corn maze, they help you.
That would be cool if you already grow corn. After the maze is over, you cut the corn and go about your business.
November is a good time for day trips to small towns. With the change of color. cooler weather and If the small towns have arts & craft shows, you will spend the day walking, chatting with artisans, eating food on a stick, enjoying your day and finding homemade treasures to give as gifts.
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