Fanning Springs State Park

 

Want to welcome Ron, my newest follower.  I could not find a blog for you, but if you have one, please contact me and I will add it here.  Thanks for coming along.  Hope you enjoy the ride. 

Another great little State Park off of our list now.  It was a bit farther away, but I thought worth the trip.  This one was $6.00 for day use.  I guess because they had an attendant and lots of info they hand you when you register.   Somebody has to pay for all of that… :)

Fanning Springs State Park is located on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail in Fanning Springs, Florida.   This is a very popular clear water spring, as you will be able to tell by the amount of people in my pictures.  Although I tried not to get them in photos, it was impossible, so I gave up and just took my pictures.

This spring produces between 40 and 60 million gallons of water daily.  Visitors can enter the park by boat from the Suwannee River or by car.  There are very nice picnic areas, playground, volleyball court and use the open areas for frisbee-throwing or football.  A boardwalk leads from the springs to a gazebo on the river.  You may see white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, red-shouldered hawks, pileated woodpeckers and barred owls.  Manatees sometimes visit the springs during the winter months.

Fanning Springs served as the local landing for steamboats carrying products to and from local plantations until railroads crossed the Suwannee River in the early 1900s.  The land has been used primarily for recreation since the mid-1900’s.  It was purchased by the state in 1993.  In 1997 the Florida Park Service became the caretaker of this marvelous site.

Sorry, but I just can’t seem to get enough of these moss-draped trees.

Again, Rusty was not allowed down by the springs.  I went down and Don stayed with him.  There were people everywhere so, I didn’t go all the way around it.  I knew it would be pretty from the other side, but did not want to intrude.

Of course the Manatees were long gone by now so held no hope of seeing one.  The swimmers would have frightened them away if there were any… :)

This was another great exploring day.  I would seriously like to go back when not so many people are around, to see it from all angles.

Rusty has gotten on my bad side again.  We were sitting here, Don watching TV and me on the computer.  We both knew he was chewing, we could hear him.  We give him rawhide chips to chew on so he will leave the furniture and our bodies whole.  The last time both of us checked he was still chewing on his rawhide.  The next time I looked up he had chewed a hole out of the carpet.  I couldn’t believe it, a hole right out of the carpet.  Good thing we are getting a new floor installed when we get to Colorado.  I know all puppies chew, but this is a first for me. I didn’t scold him because I didn’t actually see the deed done, but know it was him.  I guess this is all part of being a puppy parent….

Later…. :)