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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Wakulla Springs eternal, sort of

The outside of the hotel, which we walked through and admired without staying.
It features early 20th Century architecture and no televisions in the rooms.
Quiet and peaceful.
 
See, it really is Wakulla Springs, just like I told you.

Somebody did Old Joe in. Who dunnit?

Elaborate artwork on the ceiling.

Spacious lobby. Bigger than our dining room, that's for sure.

My lovely friend Mrs. Bessie. Her daughter dodged the camera.
No, that's not the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.

The swimming area is right at the springs--the world's largest freshwater spring--
200-300 million gallons of water a day.
.Mastodon remains were seen in the basin of the lake, although when we were there, it was tea-colored.
 So the glass bottomed boats were not running.

But we did get to take an interesting tour of the lake in a boat like this.

The wildlife were not disturbed by our presence.
We were old hat to them.

Stacks of turtles sunbathing on a log.

And a small alligator also going for a tan.
You know, "black but comely", like Solomon's sweetheart.

These are candy corn birds; their beaks resembled the fall candy.
That's the only name for them that I can remember.

A large water bird in flight.

A manatee, perhaps the mama we saw with her baby.

 The captain gives a running commentary of the area's history.

 Posing on a grouchy gator. If he doesn't want to provide seating, he shouldn't park there.

 My hand for perspective on how big these spiderzillas are.
Not for the faint of heart.

Back at my hostess' house, watching through the kitchen window, a hummingbird feeding.
I really enjoyed my visit with my hostess and her daughter.