Last year Judy and I spent a couple days over at Weeki Wahee State Park and really enjoyed it, right on the Gulf off Mexico.
All our friends wanted to do the experience over there, so today was the day, and we picked a perfect one with terrific weather, again.
Now, if you remember, this State Park is home to the famous Mermaids!
We started off the day though, with a 5 1/2 mile kayak ride down the Weeki Wachee River... this is an amazing spring fed river, that dumps into the Gulf of Mexico eventually...
Yes, the water is as clear as it appears above... all the way down the river, and also about 78 deg. F. in temperature... very warm.... comes out of the ground that way, so the Manatees just love it during the cold part of the winter. They come right up from the Gulf.
We just rented tandum kayaks for todays run, much easier than bringing our own. Rental is very reasonable at $35.00 for the day, which includes your shuttle ride back to the Park where you started.
We made a pit stop for lunch along the way... just ate in the boats...
Leave it to Tom to stand up in a kayak! Not sure what he had in mind here...
For a moment I thought Judy took this picture of Jane in the Jungle, and I was looking for Tarzan! It was just a couple young gals climbing up on this tree, and then falling into the river! Nice way to keep cool.
Near the end of our run, we did have a manatee swim under us in our boat... near the end of the winter season for them...
After our boating was finished we headed over to the State Park to check it out... lots of kids swiming here this afternoon...
Of course the highlight of this Park is the "Little Mermaid Show" and it did not disappoint. We all enjoyed taking in the presentation, amazed at how these performers do this show all underwater!
The story is one of the Little Mermaid, who falls in love with a Prince, and takes a sip of potion to allow her to lose her fin, and gain 2 legs and 2 feet, so she can meet up with her Prince Charming.
The Wicked Witch of course takes her voice away as payment for the legs... however Prince Charming fights the Witch, and all turns out good in the end...
I am not sure, but I think this may be the only underwater theatre that I am aware of, and is very unique. This show has been going on here for over 60 years now!
Stopped on the way home in Lake Land for a nice Italian Dinner out! Perfect day!
Till tomorrow...
Posted with Blogsy
Another post I need to bookmark for our travels north of here! I saw the mermaid show back in the 60s as a teen. It would be so fun to go back there now decades later.
ReplyDeleteWe love the Weeki Wachee river, but the houses and people downstream not so much. The last few times we've kayaked there, we just went part way down and turned around before all the houses and people. It was a bit of work paddling back upstream, but so worth it not having to deal with the crowds. That's the river we saw deer swimming across. Really cool.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures make me want to take a paddle there again. Beautiful.
We love the Weeki Wachee river, but the houses and people downstream not so much. The last few times we've kayaked there, we just went part way down and turned around before all the houses and people. It was a bit of work paddling back upstream, but so worth it not having to deal with the crowds. That's the river we saw deer swimming across. Really cool.
ReplyDeleteYour pictures make me want to take a paddle there again. Beautiful.
A nice day to Kayak and enjoy the mermaid show, ended with a lovely Italian dinner.
ReplyDeleteHey, John, what's the idea of jumping into the pool in the middle of the mermaid show? Other than looking at little green you seemed to be enjoying yourself.
ReplyDeleteAnother set of fun activities, John. The mermaid show seemed like a fun thing too.
ReplyDelete