Mackinac Bridge

Mackinac Bridge
Mackinac Bridge, taken from the ferry on the way to Mackinac Island.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Silver Springs, Florida

IN our quest to visit all of the great old roadside spots in Florida, we HAD to stop and see Silver Springs!

We really had a great time, but we did hear a lot of people talking about how they had been here before, and it just wasn't the same.  It seems that the state park system has recently taken over, and some of the old attractions are no longer there.  In fact, for the most part, there are some places to walk around, there is a small museum, and there are the legendary glass bottom boats to rides- but that's about it.

We bought our tickets and got on a boat.  We had a great captain who seemed to know everything about the park, the boats, and the sights underwater.  He told a great story about the Creature from the Black Lagoon.  He said that he mentioned that some of the movie was filmed at Silver Springs.  Well, after hearing about that, a passenger got scared, and said he saw the creature looking at him through the boat's glass bottom!  It turned out it was just the man's distorted reflection!

We also learned that the boat we were on had been in use since 1962!

Under the water at Silver Springs are many amazing sites.  We did see turtles and fish swim by.  Our captain pointed out a cave, and some statues that had been used (and left behind) in a James Bond movie!

An old Indian canoe and another sunken boat were also visible... not to mention a very old tree.

Our captain had eagle eyes, and he made sure that we all noticed a gator not too far from our boat!  I was very excited about this, as this would be the only gator in the wild I would see on this trip.

I am hopeful that the Florida State Parks System will add some more here, because the glass bottom boats are cool and amazing.... but something a little extra would bring in more tourists.  Hopefully, Silver Springs can go back to its glory days....  but it is still a cool place simply because of these boats!





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