Ichetucknee Springs

Today we went on an adventure!  Due to Labor Day, we all had the day off and Kelly and I decided to take the girls on a surprise trip.  All we told them was the place we were going was outside and they needed to wear a bathing suit.  They were guessing water park, Wild Adventures...all the while begging us to tell them.  We got up early and started on our way as it about a two hour and thirty minute drive.  Once we pulled into the tube renting place, the two older girls figured it out.  They were so excited!!

  

We had the option to take the three hour float or the hour and a half float.  We decided to take the hour and a half float.  The Ichetucknee river is fed by natural springs that boil up from the aquifer and is 72-73 degrees year round.  That is cold water!  Ava and Claire had their own "doughnut" float and Kelly, Julianna, and I had a double float with a bottom.  Julianna was to sit with me but once Claire hit that water, she quickly joined us!  We all had a great time floating down the river.  It was so relaxing and we saw several turtles and a snake.  Not to worry, the snake was in a tree.  The water was crystal clear and we could see all the way to the bottom.  

Once we left the river, we went to the Blue Hole Spring to swim.  This was awesome!!  The water was still cold, but we all went swimming.  This spring puts out 67 million gallons of water a day!  The spring was so deep that Kelly nor I could stand at any point, so Kelly and I took turns staying with Julianna on the platform while the other was in the water with Ava and Claire.  We did let Julianna dip her toes in occasionally so she would not feel left out.  The bottom of the spring was covered with grass except in the middle.  Turtles were in the spring as well as fish.  The water was so clear that we could see the fish swimming everywhere.  In the middle of the spring was a huge crater and in that crater was a huge hole that led to a cave.  This hole is where the water boils up from the aquifer.  I could actually see the water coming up and the water on top was swirling.  It was awesome!!  It was hard work to get out to the hole as the current was a little strong and we had to swim against it.  Ava finally made it to the middle.  Claire tried, but it was just too far and the current too strong.  

Claire swimming

Crater

After about five hours of fun, we headed into Lake City to eat.  Sonny's BBQ was just the ticket!

I think our surprise adventure was a hit!  I love having three little girls to spend money on and take places.  They are such a blessing!