Rock Springs was my first favorite spring because it was the
one I swam in most before the age of ten. I had birthday parties there, entered
a cave (the spring source) for the first time, a small one at first glance, and
we kids had the freedom to “swim the run” as many times as our young bodies
wanted. And yes, we all slept well after a day at the spring. It was a safe
place for us to be kids back in the 1960s and 70s and our parents were happy to have some time
to just veg out beside the beautiful body of water. Back then the water was
deep and fish were abundant and we just didn’t care about sharing with them.
It was a wild place, full of secret byways and overhung jungle-looking foliage.
It was full of magic.
 |
| Part of the "run" from underwater |
Going back to it as an adult a lot has, of course, changed.
But not the crystal clear water, not the “run,” and not the magic of the
jungle. One can’t enter the cave anymore,
but the boulders we climbed are still there and the water is still chilly and exciting
and still spills out into the large swimming basin before it ambles on its way
to I don’t know where. I could find out, but like the mystery of it. The
coolest thing though, is that I’ve gotten to see my kids do the “run” and have
the same fun I had when I was a kid.
 |
| The "head" of the spring cave |
 |
| Fishes galore! |
 |
| The basin |
 |
| Another part of the run, the jungle-magic part... |
Whenever you visit a spring, take an underwater camera, even
if it’s a one-time use camera. You’ll be happy you did!
Images from:
Wow. The water looks super inviting!!
ReplyDeleteIt does look very tempting!
ReplyDeleteA sweet memory, Lisa. A simpler time. Glad to see that some of the beauty and mystery remain.
ReplyDeleteThose are great photos and it's an amazingly beautiful place. Those fish look very uninterested to have their piccie taken ;)
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Hi Lisa - that's fantastic that you've seen your kids enjoy the same area you did as a kid. Lovely stories and I can feel being there with you - those memorable days of childhood ... everyone happy and being outdoors ... it looks stunning - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty place, the underwater pics are amazing.
ReplyDeleteSuzy at Someday Somewhere
Sounds beautiful! We own a cottage on an island on the Georgian Bay in Canada. The water, in some spots, is still crystal clear.
ReplyDeletePrecious Monsters
Sounds and looks like a magical place!
ReplyDeleteI did a little research on caves, sinkholes, and diving in Florida for a short story last summer. These places look magical.
ReplyDeletePretty pictures, though am not a good swimmer and no way would I enter an underwater cave...also claustrophobic. Too bad it's changed. As I was reading was afraid I was going to read it had become toxic and you could no longer get in the water. Sadly, that happens in too many locations.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how much fun you had there as kids! Made me smile just to read it. Beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteWow, that does look wonderful! What a privilege to be able to share the water like that. I've never swum in a river... we live in a village between two, but I think they run rather fast to swim in. ~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing place. Cannot imagine swimming with the fishes like that.
ReplyDeleteWow! These are so breathtakingly beautiful pics! And I'd love to 'swim the run' too :)
ReplyDeleteThat place is gorgeous! And how cool that you can now share your childhood memories with your kids. :)
ReplyDeleteCommenting from www.kaitlinthrogmorton.com via the A-Z Challenge
What a beautiful spot!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a water person, but these photos are description make me want to go some time.
ReplyDeleteOh this does look just so magical. You are lucky to have experienced this and same with your kids
ReplyDeleteWow, that's better than any water park!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds and looks absolutely magical.
ReplyDeletewww.petramonaco.com
This is gorgeous and so far from what we expect about Florida. This is difficult for me to comment on your blog with my Wordpress id but I want to tell you that I appreciate this virtual discovery of Northern Florida, so unlike the south. See you soon for more.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous and so far from what we expect about Florida. This is difficult for me to comment on your blog with my Wordpress id but I want to tell you that I appreciate this virtual discovery of Northern Florida, so unlike the south. See you soon for more.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous and so far from what we expect about Florida. This is difficult for me to comment on your blog with my Wordpress id but I want to tell you that I appreciate this virtual discovery of Northern Florida, so unlike the south. See you soon for more.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous and so far from what we expect about Florida. This is difficult for me to comment on your blog with my Wordpress id but I want to tell you that I appreciate this virtual discovery of Northern Florida, so unlike the south. See you soon for more.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous and so far from what we expect about Florida. This is difficult for me to comment on your blog with my Wordpress id but I want to tell you that I appreciate this virtual discovery of Northern Florida, so unlike the south. See you soon for more.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous and so far from what we expect about Florida. This is difficult for me to comment on your blog with my Wordpress id but I want to tell you that I appreciate this virtual discovery of Northern Florida, so unlike the south. See you soon for more.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous and so far from what we expect about Florida. This is difficult for me to comment on your blog with my Wordpress id but I want to tell you that I appreciate this virtual discovery of Northern Florida, so unlike the south. See you soon for more.
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous and so far from what we expect about Florida. This is difficult for me to comment on your blog with my Wordpress id but I want to tell you that I appreciate this virtual discovery of Northern Florida, so unlike the south. See you soon for more.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. Your description of the place makes me want to go and check it out. Glad your kids could experience the same joy that you did. :)
ReplyDelete*Shantala @ ShanayaTales*
How stunning! I would have loved this place as a kid- and would still love it as an adult! The run sounds fun and it all seems magical. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteJess