Approximately 26,000 gallons of water a minute flow from this grotto in Orange County, Florida's Kelly Park forming Rock Springs. The two springs that emerge here are off limits. One can get rather close, however, and take photos or swim in the pools below them. The escarpment of coquina rock is about 15-20-feet tall (5-7 m) with each grotto being large enough to walk into if such activity were allowed.
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Rock Springs are a bit of an oddity when it comes to Florida springs because of the way they emerge from an escarpment of coquina rather than boiling straight up from the aquifer. Oddity because there are few such exposed escarpments or geologic features like a long cliff in Florida and fewer still that contain caves or grottos. Perhaps not truly an escarpment because it wasn't caused by faulting, tilting or warping of the rock but the result of an ancient ocean shoreline.
The water emerging from Rock Springs is a constant 68° F (20° C) year round which is a bit chilly by Florida standards. Most of the other springs in the area are a bit warmer at around 72° (22° C).
The spring run (or stream) is very popular with tubers and swimmers. Just south of the spring an artificial island cuts the spring run in two for a distance and there are sunning areas on the island (above, right).
The stream then turns east and north beyond the artificial island. As the spring run meanders north before turning back south toward the Wekiva River it widens and the flow slows. It is about 10 miles from the spring to where the run feeds the Wekiva River very near Wekiva Springs State Park.
This part of the park, far from the tourists and picnickers is worth a look. It is real Florida.
Unfortunately the park is in disrepair from overuse and poor management by Orange County which owns and operates the park and spring. At several points the boardwalk is simply boarded off. It ends and walkers must turn around. In other places the boardwalks are falling apart from wear and neglect.
The park has become immensely popular, especially in summer, because of its large swimming area and cool waters. Unfortunately with popularity comes destruction of the very thing that people come to enjoy, the natural environment.
Where is that place? Its pretty much just northwest of Wekiva Springs but there is no really easy way to get there. Coming from Debary-Deltona we took SR 46 west to CR 435 in Mt. Plymouth and then let the navigator find our way from there.
There are so many "No" rules that its almost comical but we imagine this type of enforcement is necessary considering the overused state of the area.
Even on a chilly winter day the park was quite full. . . and it is no easy feat finding this place. It is located in Apopka about 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Orlando. The park shares some borders with Rock Springs Run State Reserve and Wekiva Spring State Park. Note that the state parks in Florida are much better maintained.
The park encompasses a total of 248 acres and there is camping available with much advance reservations and plenty of rules.
Above and below, a couple of the large swimming areas formed by the artificial island that splits the Rock Spring Run in two before allowing all the water to continue its trek toward the Wekiva River and then on to the St. Johns River.
From the spring head to these pools takes about 30 minutes in an inner tube or on a raft. By foot it is a bit faster traverse, especially if walking downslope from the grotto.
Much of the park is shaded by temperate-zone trees such as red maple, American sweetgum, several species of hickory and oak and one of the southernmost natural populations of tulip trees.
Many subtropical plants are also present within the park most prominently the Florida State Tree, Cabbage Palmetto (aka Sabal palmetto).
One of the dead end, falling apart boardwalks passes through a true Florida hammock ecosystem thick with sabal palmettos (below) and towering, age-old live oaks.
Because of overuse the park closes when more than 280 vehicles enter. After that point 50 vehicles are allowed to queue waiting for someone to leave. This come and go results in average daily numbers of about 1,350 visitors to the park.
Each vehicle is charged $3 to pass through the front gates. We suggest raising that price to something like $25 for each vehicle and using that money to repair the park and let it rest from over use by humans. Somehow we doubt Orange County will take us up on our suggestion.
Everywhere are signs. . . do this don't do that can't you read the signs. . .
Grotto v. Cave
What's the difference between a grotto and a cave? A grotto is any type of natural or artificial cave that is associated with modern, historic, or prehistoric use by humans. It is often a small cave near water and often flooded at least part of the time (versus a cave which is mostly dry). Think grotta in Italian or grotte in French. . . and there you have it.
On our visit we took one last look at the grotto and pools nearby just before leaving the park, when most of the tourists had vacated the area. It was nice to imagine what this place was like 100 years ago. . .and what it could be like again if it were properly cared for and human visitation was greatly and severely limited.
We've Read:
A high tech museum devoted to global wine culture is aimed at attracting tourists—particularly millennials—to the historic wine region. The goal is to make visitors think of wine in a whole new way.
For the first time in six years, the bay—and event organizers—gave the nod this week as powerful and sustained swell produced huge surf on Oahu's North Shore.
The slide in California's gas prices could abruptly end Friday, with prices possibly jumping 30-cents a gallon because of seasonal changes in the state's refinery operations.
No, it isn't because he's reported to be the most egomaniacal liar who ever ran for President, nor is it because he is said to refer to himself as "The Zodiac," but its because they finally cracked the cryptogram, it says, "I, Ted Cruz, Canadian from Texas, am the Zodiac Killer."
1. He's not, he is? the son of Cuban exiles? Maybe?
2. His immigration policies include letting in tens of millions more like his parents?
3. He's a Mormon? He's Catholic? He's Protestant? None of the above.
4. He's a climate change denier.
5. He charged a $134 haircut (or was it a back wax?) to the GOP, along with $109,000 worth of swag.
6. He and his wife have friends in some really low places.
7. He had 100 bright ideas to fix Florida but he failed to show up for work.
8. He's a lobbyist/senator? Which is it?
9. He called Obama a socialist before socialism was cool.
10. He endorsed Huckabee for President in 2008. . . and
11. He's a rabid anti-abortionist
12. . . oops. . .that's more than 10-things-you-need-to-know.
OK. . . well, just read the article at the link above
or listen to what Chris Christie said. He said in part that
President of the USA is not a no-show job like Rubio has treated the US Senate
OK. . . well, just read the article at the link above
or listen to what Chris Christie said. He said in part that
President of the USA is not a no-show job like Rubio has treated the US Senate
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