February is the warmest on record for Central Florida. The old record has been obliterated. The new average temp for the month is 9 F higher and there have been 22 days above 80 F. As Trump would say: "What global warming?"(grin)
Charlotte skipped crafts today. They were making plastic globe style hanging lights. She did it last year so passed on the chance to do it again.
Instead she took up my offer for a day trip to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. We departed just after 9 a.m. to avoid the morning rush hour. I planned a route that would avoid as many of the busiest roads as possible so we could enjoy the drive with the top off on the Del Sol. We arrived at Weeki Wachee at about 11:30 a.m.
I also planned a route that would also give us maximum chance to smell the orange blossoms. We took SR-19 (by way of CR-452 aka Lakeshore Drive) through Howey-in-the-Hills to Groveland where we connected with SR-50. This took us virtually to the park. It was on the right just as we turned at the light onto SR-19. The plan to travel this way was so that we could enjoy the unbelievably wonderful perfume from the fresh orange blossoms along the way. This is why we enjoy travelling "topless" (i.e. in a convertible - grin).
The admission is a reasonable $13 for adults and $8 Children (6-12). This includes admission to the Wildlife Show, Boat Cruise, Mermaid Show and Buccaneer Bay Waterpark (which was closed for annual maintenance).
Directions to all attractions are on well-marked. The main attractions are all within a few minutes of each other.
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The scenic paths are wide and well maintained.
Our first stop was at Discovery Point for the 12 p.m.Wildlife Show.
The entrance had a few displays.
This was the middle of the 3 daily shows. It was interesting and informative highlighting wildlife that is native to Florida. It started with a snake,
continued with a turtle,
and ended with a 'gator.
We then proceed to the boat ride. This runs continuously every 25 minutes throughout the day. Only 1 boat (the smaller one) was running today. We had to wait for a half hour; but were able to pass the time watching the fish swimming in the clear spring water. The water is 99.8% pure in this part of the spring.
“Weeki Wachee” was named by the Seminole Indians. It means “little spring” or “winding river.” The spring is so deep that the bottom has never been found. Each day, more than 117 million gallons of clear, fresh 74-degree water bubbles up out of subterranean caverns. Deep in the spring, the surge of the current is so strong that it can knock a scuba diver’s mask off. The basin of the spring is 100 feet wide with limestone sides and there, where the mermaids swim, 16 to 20 feet below the surface, the current runs a strong five miles an hour. It’s quite a feat for a mermaid to stay in one place in such a current. Flowing from the spring, the Weeki Wachee River winds its way 12 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.
After the boat ride we had just enough time to make it to the Mermaid Theatre for the 1:30 p.m. show. It was packed almost to capacity.
The show is in the Weeki Wachee Spring Basin which we viewed through large windows that were many feet below the water's surface. It tells the story of "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Andersen.
The "Mermaids" perform a synchronized swimming ballet underwater while they "Lip Sync" the words to the story. Air lines allow them to remain under the surface.
The show was excellent!
As we exited I was able to add to our "Pressed Penny" collection with a "Little Mermaid".
There were 4 choices. I picked the bottom right design.
We had "done it all" (including the Gift Shop) by 2:30 p.m. and were on our way back to the motorhome. This time I made a small adjustment in the return route. I turned off SR-50 to Center Hill, FL and on through Okahumpka, FL to the Yalaha Bakery.
Charlotte had a craving for "Bread Soup" for lunch. Me, too! We finished with a piece of Black Forest Cake for dessert! Mmmm Good!
A stop at our regular Publix on the way back for lottery tickets, "First" (monthly magazine) and a Key Lime Pie.
Tuesday is the best TV night of the week. "NCIS" and "NCIS: New Orleans" sandwiching "Bull". That's all we will be doing after Jeopardy (which just finished - Charlotte got the answer - Yeah!)
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