Wednesday's Adventure to Rainbow Springs State Park

When you have a Wednesday off for Veterans Day in the middle of the week what else is there to do but have an adventure? For my gang, it was a no brainer. I needed to be outside and Florida State Parks are FREE on Veterans Day!

Say no more. Arm twisted. Let's go to Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon.

The park was once privately owned but it fell into disrepair and the state park system decided to buy it and take it over to preserve some of natural Florida. I'm so glad when they do that. It's HUGE. I have visited quite a few parks in the area that have that same story to tell.

Now Rainbow River is really known for the pristine water and getting into 72 degree water wasn't in my plans for the day but man o' man, I would have loved to get out there in a kayak again. You can see straight to the bottom as it is crystal clear. There is a swimming area, plenty of picnic areas and you can Geocache as well. We found 4 today! Yahoo!

Because the park was once a tourist attraction there were some manmade waterfalls that were fed from the springs. The park still maintains these waterfalls and it's a beautiful walk through the park with the sounds of running water all around. 

The entire place is picturesque and really pops like a post card from the 1960's. Doesn't it? 

The State Park also has a butterfly garden and the remains of what once was a small zoo with a few animals. It just gives you more to walk around and look at throughout the park. And yes, I managed to find something to put on my nose. The frogs were there but uncooperative but the Monarch caterpillar was willing. 

There was a bugle, (yes, the snack food) that was balanced on the tip of the nose at one point of our picnic lunch as well but I'll spare you from that. Lots and lots of fun was had. Lots of acorns were whistled into annoying everyone. Pecans and other nut pieces were found and lobbed at each other in fun. A few games of Marco Polo were even played as we explored and lost each other. I'd say that was a successful AbJ day! Yes, Hailey, we need t-shirts. Still. 

St. George Island Trip

While this certainly isn't an AbJ trip it is a fun one. Some dear friends have a family beach house on the island and we were fortunate enough to come out and join them for the week. St. George is one of those beautiful, natural places that you just can't easily find anymore. The sand is like powder and the beaches are pristine. Ahhh, St. George.

I should just let the pictures do the explaining for me...

The sky changes often giving you beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

The walk down to the Gulf.

The St. George Lighthouse has some interesting history. Oddly enough I was able to see it in the original location before the collapse.  

We made an early morning trip down to the state park and it was amazing. We did a few Geocaches while we were there too and spotted tons of ghost crabs.

Oyster City Brewing is not too far away in Apalachicola and that makes for a fun day trip as well. Who can resist a nice flight of beers by the bay? Not us! There are plenty of things for everyone as well... shops, ice cream, t-shirts, book store, sponges and more. Even great places to eat! Yum. 

Once upon a time when the kids were younger we would come to St. George as well. This made a great chance to recreate the photos from 12 years ago!

And more than amazing have been the sightings of dolphins every single day that we have been here. Did I mention EVERY SINGLE DAY?????  Several of us have chased the dolphins out there and been successful this week. The girls had dolphins in between the kayak and the paddle board. They jumped right in front of them as well. I was out there and had one dance right by me a paddle length away. Absolutely amazing! I'll take that view any day! 

Well enough for the update for now. I'm going back to vacation. Stay tuned.