#flsprings

[sticks-and-stone]

Manatee Springs

June 4, 2021 to June 6, 2021

For this trip we stayed on the state park vibes and decided to add the springs element. On weekends that we’re not out camping during the summer, we’re out on the water in our kayaks. We have fallen in love with the springs for paddling, but we almost never visit the springs for swimming. So we decided Manatee Springs would be good for swimming since it was a bit smaller and not really good for paddling. So we left the kayaks at home and decided this would be a spring swimming trip.

We got to the campsite about 30 minutes before sundown. The sites on either side of us and across the path from us were already set up. We got out of the car and immediately sprayed ourselves with bug spray. We have made the bug mistakes before and we were not going to make anymore. We scoped out the site and briefly disagreed on where to place the tent. Once we had the layout figured out, we split tasks and Jenna got to work on the tent and I on the pop up and tarp canopy. 

I somehow managed to get the tarp canopy up with just the pop up canopy, the tent, one on-site tree, and one very far away tree. Luckily, I had recently restocked my paracord stash, so I had a significant length available to me. I didn’t cut into it at all, I just rewrapped it on Saturday night after I took it down. 

We didn’t have much time to hang out by the fire on Friday night. We got done setting up just in time to start hearing the 4 teenage boys next door start to play beer pong. These sites were very close together, but luckily we were able to make a sort of privacy barrier with our structures. I actually started to enjoy listening to them banter back and forth. Male youths are odd. 

We noticed a nearby deer just meandering around behind some of the campsites between the campground and the parking lot for the swimming area. This deer casually wandered right up to the back of our site and looked curious and fearless. It was probably about 100-120 pounds. It came right up to us like it wasn’t afraid of us at all. We shooed it away despite how intriguing its presence was. When animals in nature fail to fear humans, humans will cause them harm either intentionally or unintentionally. So we left it alone and scared it off to go be an animal some place else. 

For the rest of the night we played gin rummy and for once I actually won! We were getting hot even at night time outside and then realized that we could be using the oscillating fan outside next to us to keep us cool and to keep smoke from the fire out of our faces. We also realized that the folding step ladder that we use to hang paracord high up in trees could be used as a two leveled table between our chairs while we sat by the fire. Honestly, this was likely the biggest game changer for us this weekend. Why hadn’t we thought of this yet? It kept the bugs away, the smoke from the fire out of our face, and it kept us cool. During the hot months, this is a must-have set up. Then at the end of the night, we just bring the fan back inside the tent with us. 

We didn’t stay up all that late on Friday night, so we were up rather early on Saturday. We made breakfast and coffee and waited for the rest of the campground to awaken. The boys next to us slept in pretty late and we discovered that one of them slept in an open-air hammock hung up in the border trees that separate the campsites. So he was directly behind our pop up tent...snoring away. It was annoying to say the least. My least favorite aspect of Full Amenities Camping like this is that you are usually elbow to elbow with your neighbors. 

After we got moving, fed, and caffeinated, we decided to change into our bathing suits and head down to the water. It wasn’t a very far walk from our campsite to the swimming area and because it was so early there wasn’t anyone at the park yet, so we had the area to ourselves to explore.

It was still a bit too cold to swim since the sun hadn’t had a chance to warm everything up just yet, so we went back to camp for a little bit before heading back to the swimming hole once we started to hear vehicles filling the parking lot. In order to get our blood flowing hot enough to enjoy swimming in such cold water, we hiked down the boardwalk and back.

The swimming hole was cold. As to be expected. We first went to one of the staircases leading into the water down near the spring head because there was only an older couple there and not too many people and kids like up river further away. These stairs that we chose though weren’t concrete like the other ones, they were grated and of course we forgot our shoes. The older man that was over there was bullying us about hesitating to get into the water. My hesitation is rarely the temperature of the water like people assume, and usually more about the depth. I can never tell if I'm going to hit a big rock while diving in or not. So I usually wait until someone else jumps in first or I try to ease myself in via the stairs. Easing myself in is much harder because entering the water gradually makes it harder to get accustomed to the temperature. 

I finally got in and it was glorious. There is something magical about that rush of cold water over your entire body all at once. You get used to it rather quickly, and once you do it's nearly impossible to want to get out. Jenna came in soon after, but wanted to hang on the stairs. Since these stairs are grated, it was pretty painful. We forgot to pack our water shoes. So we decided to go over to the area with the concrete stairs.  

Swimming in a spring isn’t really like swimming in a pool. If you lay on a float and just relax, you’re going to float out to the big river and get caught in all kinds of nature. It’s usually too deep to wade (there are a few springs with swimming holes where wading is doable and really awesome. This was not one of those) so we usually play. That’s right...play. It’s so much fun to play in the spring. Each spring is different from the last and changes from time to time so It’s exciting every time. Today, we brought the underwater camera and decided to get new action shots. Here’s how some of mine turned out: 

We played like this for an hour or so before the park started getting more and more crowded. So we got out of the water to make room for the actual children and just sat off to the side and watched all the people try to get brave enough to get into the icy cold water. We sat there for a good bit of time and just air dried and people-watched.  

Exhausted from a half of a day full of swimming, playing, and laughing, we decided to head back to camp for lunch. Afterward, I hung one of our hammocks to lay in and read while we wait out the hottest part of the day in the shade of our campsite. My reading didn’t last long and I ended up napping hardcore for a while. 

Much like our trip to Stephen Foster, we did most of our activities early in the day on Saturday, leaving the afternoon and evening to just be at camp. I tried to make note of what gear I was utilizing and what gear I wasn’t so that I could begin removing items from my pack and from the bin as I needed. We didn’t start an “Electronics Bin” this trip, but since we had full amenities, we still packed all the things along with us. We got some great use out of the tarps and the pop up canopy, but it was becoming clear that our paracord stash was beginning to run low. 

I also made note of gear that I wanted to have with us that we didn’t have yet. We needed to replace our extension cords, I wanted to add rope lights, and we also desperately needed an outdoor surge protector. Our tent was also showing signs of wearing down, so we wanted to start looking into replacements for it. Maybe even sizing up. I also wanted to add more storage options to the inside of our pop up canopy. 

These trips had begun to feel like tiny little learning courses. Each time we went out and camped, we learned new skills, found uses for better gear, or experienced something for the first time. We had begun a pattern of spending half our time doing something off site (like hiking, swimming, or kayaking) and the other half of our time building skills at camp or perfecting our gear kits. Each time getting better and better.

As we progress, we are also inching closer and closer to being prepared for thru hiking. At this point, our gear is ALMOST where it needs to be. We still didn’t have any cooking, fire, or hydration gear in each of our packs, but we get closer each time and by the end of this calendar year, we will be where we need to be! 

Stay Dirty,

Stone. 

[mandragoraparadox]

'Nothing is impossible, the word itself says "I'm possible".'- Audrey Hepburn . . You are made of 💫magic💫 and the world is desperately in need of it. . . 💚💜 tail by @mertailor 💙🤍 tail by @finfolkproductions 📷 @dansbeautifulworld . . ----------- The mermaids need help! Our precious Florida springs are in danger! Please visit @floridaspringsinstitute and @floridaspringscouncil to learn more on what we can all do to work towards saving our home. No amount of help is too small to #saveoursprings ----------- #mermaid #mermaidlife #mertailor #mermaidtails #mermaidsarereal #freedive #finfolkproductions #springtime #mandragora #darkmermaid #mandragoramermaid #mertailor #underwater #florida #floridamermaid #exploreflorida #follow #welivewhereyouvacation #mermaidsquad #flsprings #mermaidhair #instadaily #cryptidsighting #supernatural #mermaidtail #sirenofinstagram (at Land of Dreams) https://www.instagram.com/p/CL6-DtbBGSY/?igshid=fu7t9o69d9kd

[ttaylorphoto]

This is where I find peace. Below the surface there is no stress, no responsibilities, no tasks that need completion or deadlines to hit, no traffic jams or coffee spills.... just silence 🤙🏼 #travelbloggers #travelblog #travelgram #worldnomads #socialnomads #iamtb #doyoutravel #travellers #tlicks #roamflorida #visitflorida #lovefl #florida #floridalocal #pureflorida #bluesprings #bluespringsstatepark #floridasprings #floridalocal #flsprings #upsideoffflorida #floridaspringsfanatics #pureflorida #gopro #goproenthusiasts #goprofeatured #goprohero5 #goprotravels #naturephotography (at Blue Spring State Park)

[corran105isdead]

Been inactive on here for a while because I've had to be inactive in k8fe due to hip problems. I got to stretch my legs at Rock Springs today. #getoutdoors #funinthesun #sundayfunday #springhunters #flsprings #tubing #igersflorida #rocksprings #kellypark #waterworld #refreshingbro #gopro #vscofilm #outdoorflorida #weshouldbeswimming #florida #centralflorida #visitfl #lovefl (at Kelly Park)

[aquablueworld]

[naturalswimmingspirit]

high_on_hypoxia

Happy hump day yall!

My day has been absolutely fantastic so far. I hope the same can he said by each and every one of you.

#humpday#getoutside#florida#realflorida#hashtagflorida#sunshinestate

#springstate

#nakedinnature#naturebooty#getyourassintonature#explore

#skinnydipping#teamnopants#tanlinesfordays#feelinggood#positivity#nature

#flsprings

[flacoastal-blog]

For the love of Florida 💙 💚 Follow @johnstarrettphoto to see how John captures the Fl🍊r⚓da Lifestyle 👏 #FlaCoastal #FitForTheCoast ° 📸:@johnstarrettphoto Find by: @thespringstate ° ° ° #flsprings #lovefl #sharealittlesunshine #roamflorida #pureflorida #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #staysaltyflorida #floridalocal #aquatech #underwaterphotography #Floridaexplored #epicshots #vacationwhereyoulive #vivid #photographer #lovewhereyoulive #lovemystate #findyourcoast #thecoastallife #fsf #vacationflorida #staynautiflorida #visitflorida (at Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnYYo8WgVKm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3cvhdpq84p30

[underwaterflorida]

Large sand boils in this spring #ocalanationalforest #springhunters #roamflorida #gh5 #ocalanationalforest #naturelovers #underwater_florida #floridafun #florida #visitflorida #floridalife #underwaterworld #lovefl #hiddenspot #flsprings #springwater #naturalflorida #freshwaterspring #explorer #exploreflorida #floridasprings #natgeo #swimminghole #floridaforest #natureshots #floridavacation #clearestwater #floridasunshine https://www.instagram.com/p/BnOt99iBp0p/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j8ks3itz4csz

[honeybee-yarn-crafts]

#photography #photographer #pictures #beautiful #photooftheday #nikon #nature #beauty #water #waterscapes #springs #naturalspring #flsprings #royalsprings

[gonewanderingblog]

Happy Saturday! 💙 • • • #lovefl #hashtagflorida #sharealittlesunshine #optoutside #roamflorida #pureflorida #sunshinestate #gowandering #visitflorida #wanderlust #floridaexplored #explore #flstateparks #travel #flsprings #springhunters #floridasprings #ichetuckneesprings (at Ichetucknee Springs State Park)

[angelsofthesea2015]

#Repost @chanelly257 ・・・ Getting back into the good groove of things 🤙🏽📷: @jferrara_photo #itchnetuckneesprings #flsprings #freediving #freediverlife #girlswhofreedive #waterlust #dowhatmakesyouhappy #exploremore #expectless #adventure #naturalsprings #crystalclear #ascending #underwaterphotography #underwaterworld #travelgram #travelawesome #torelliwetsuits #angelsofthesea @angels.of.the.sea

[ttaylorphoto]

Exploring Rainbow Springs with @liemx @amberleeadventures @adamaustin98 watch the whole video on YouTube | Link in profile | #roamflorida #visitflorida #lovefl #florida #floridalocal #pureflorida #floridasprings #floridalocal #flsprings #upsideoffflorida #floridaspringsfanatics #pureflorida #floridalife #nature #floridanature #tlpicks #travelgram #findyourpark #goprohero5 #springhunters #travelbloggers #photography #naturephotography #gopro #explorida #igers_orlando #adventure #like4like #northflorida #onlyinflorida (at Rainbow River)

[corran105isdead]

The loveliness that is Blue Spring Run. . . . . #bluespring #paradise #springhunters #flsprings #outdoorflorida #floridagreatshots #therealflorida #goldenhour #vscofilm #idreamincolor #wildflorida #boardwalklovers #boardwalkhunters #getoutdoors #camping #alohaflorida #pureflorida #springs #lovemyflorida #lovefl #landscape #scenic #nikon #v1 #mirrorless #color #naturalbeauty #natureaddicts #igersgainesville #igersflorida #florida (at Blue Springs Park)

[teachmetofreedive]

March 10th-12th we are taking the already awesome F.I.I. Level 1 curriculum expanding it into 3-days and bringing it to North Florida where the water is crystal clear and pool like conditions all year around! #freediving #flfreedivers #fii_freedive #tmtf #teachmetofreedive #freediver #flsprings #freedive #divesafe #divedeep #divesmart #troysprings #northflorida #exploremore #apnea (at Cave Excursions)