Exploring The Rainbow River

The Rainbow River is a gently winding river that is 5.7 miles long and merges with the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon, Florida. The headwaters, Rainbow Springs, is the anchor for Rainbow Springs State Park. This first-magnitude spring is not one large vent but is numerous vents that issue 400 - 600 million gallons of crystalline water every day.

Losing tents due to torrential downpours during two summer camping trips in a row will absolutely not keep us away from one of the most scenic rivers in North Florida. The clear blue waters are just as picturesque beneath the surface as above them and around each bend shows off native plants that most likely have existed since before motorized boats polluted, I mean traversed this river.

Every season in Florida produces some delicious edible species of plants and throughout The Rainbow River State Park Campground one could easily survive on plants alone. From the seasonal mulberries and Japanese plums to beauty berries and smilax sprouting all year, a Florida forager’s dreams are what this campground is made of … and don’t even get me started on all the mushrooms that can be found along this river bank.

Rainbow Springs and the Rainbow River became popular in the late 1880s when hard rock phosphate was discovered in the area. A small community called Juliette flourished near the springs during this "boomtown" era. In the 1930s the spring was developed as a tourist attraction.[4] Sea walls, a lodge, gift shop, the waterfalls, and a reptile exhibit were developed. Under new ownership, the real heyday for the attraction occurred in the 1960s. During that time activity greatly increased with glass-bottomed boat rides, riverboat rides, log raft rides, a gift shop and cafe, an aviary, a leaf-shaped gondola/monorail system, a horse rodeo, and submarine boat tours. Not faring well when traffic began using I-75 instead of U.S. Highway 41, with many tourists heading to a new attraction called Walt Disney World, the attraction closed in 1974.

The Rainbow River was designated as a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986, and an "Outstanding Florida Waterway" in 1987 because of its outstanding beauty and aesthetics.[6] The state purchased the original area that was the Rainbow Springs attraction in 1990. Volunteers cleared the overgrown park and opened the park on weekends to the public. The Florida Park Service officially opened Rainbow Springs State Park on a full-time basis on March 9, 1995.

Rainbow River - Wikipedia

Exploring Rock Springs Run

one of three main tributaries that feeds the Wekiva River Basin, a designated National Wild and Scenic River

Paddling through the narrow, crystal-clear river, under ancient Cypress trees , overgrown with Spanish moss had me feeling like William Bartram paddling his canoe with a sail circa 1756…

…and then I went around the bend and almost crashed into a hoard of tourists who had just learned to kayak and most certainly did not understand my English laments. Skirting the travelers was simple as their tour guide instructed and my path was clear again. An average paddler can easily avoid the crowds by heading up the river, less than a mile from the kayak ramp where so many different species of wildlife can be found. Alligators and otters cohabitate and the birds all seem to live harmonious as well leading me to believe that all critters are eating well.

I plan to return as many times as I can as I know I’ll never be able to see it all in this lush, natural playground.

Four rare snails are found in Rock Springs. The Rock Spring siltsnail (Floridobia petrifons) is endemic to Rock Springs. The goblin elimia (Elimia vanhyningiana) is found in one other spring in addition to Rock Springs. The armored siltsnail (Spilochlamys gravis) is found in two other springs in addition to Rock Springs. The hyacinth siltsnail (Floridobia floridana) is found in northern Florida and on Cumberland Island, Georgia.

Homeschool Chronicles I: Science Class

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These days science class takes place mostly outdoors and this tent we purchased from Nature Gifts has been worth the wait (3-5 business days to a 4 four year old is apparently like a lifetime) and then some.

Witnessing the life cycles of different caterpillars and butterflies has been such a learning moment for my Pre-Kish son; I can hardly imagine attempting to explain this in an indoor classroom setting.

Having discovered a fondness for insects while pursuing her degree in Biology, Randi Jones was quite bugged to know that people usually dismissed these little creatures as “creepy-crawlies”. She reasoned that this indifference was due to lack of exposure and information. An artist at heart, Randi began creating butterfly display artwork in her studio to share her love for these wonderful creatures with everyone. In 2001, Nature Gift Store was born out of this love.

Nature Gift Store aspires to be the place where you can become curious about nature, ask questions and explore the answers. Our products are carefully crafted and curated to make active learning attainable, easy, and fun for the little ones. - Having discovered a fondness for insects while pursuing her degree in Biology, Randi Jones was quite bugged to know that people usually dismissed these little creatures as “creepy-crawlies”. She reasoned that this indifference was due to lack of exposure and information. An artist at heart, Randi began creating butterfly display artwork in her studio to share her love for these wonderful creatures with everyone. In 2001, Nature Gift Store was born out of this love.

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If homeschooling seems daunting, I highly suggest stepping back and watching to see what really grabs your little’s interests and then follow those interests. Some days, we follow these interests right to the beach where we plop down and watch the snails and birds. We talk about how many we see, what colors they have on their bodies or shells and how they easily blend into their surroundings to hopefully live a long life…

This is homeschool or unschool or whatever you want to call what we’re doing that isn’t tied to a classroom for 8 hours of the day with other kids who hate being there too.

Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens

“Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens was founded by Dr. Raymond Webber and opened for public enjoyment in January of 2014. The creation of the gardens began over 32 years ago when Ray discovered the 100+ year old retired lime rock quarry in 1991. (Over one hundred years ago, miners were harvesting lime rock from the property to create the foundation of Highway 27). In 1991, Ray found that the property had been abandoned long ago, and it was a polluted swamp. He purchased the property for his own private use, initially intending to use the quarry as a giant fishing pond. He dug out what was left behind, including old mining remnants, and began to transform the old swampy quarry. 

Rock by rock, each rolled in by wheelbarrows and strategically placed by human hands, the walkways and walls of the gardens were created. With a small team of workers, he created different islands throughout the quarry, concrete walkways, separate pools, waterfalls, pavilions, gazebos, and bridges made of Brazilian walnut. With the structures now intact, Ray assumed gardening as his hobby to add greenery to his creation. He discovered that he was just as enthusiastic for gardening as he was for fishing, and now Ray is responsible for one of the most unique botanical creations you will ever see.” - www.cedarlakeswoodsandgarden.com

Spring is Here!

which has us marveling at the seedlings popping up all around

every change of season brings a sense of renewal to our homestead and no matter how many seasons we witness on our land, we are always in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds us

If you have not had the chance to walk around, barefoot in the sun, in your yard, let this be your reminder, every day has something new to show as Spring quite literally springs forth.