De Leon Springs SP, Florida
aerialphoto
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Had a chance to go to De Leon Springs (State Park), Florida last weekend with our car club. In the rain :rolleyes
Anyway - De Leon Springs is about 25 miles west of Daytona Beach in the western part of Volusia County. The "springs" provide year-round 72°f water for swimming. They also have a restaurant that features pancakes you cook at the table on a hot skillet, and other meals.
Click images to make 'em big!
Aerial View - the actual springs are at the bottom of the image
In the late 1800s the park area's name was changed to it's current "De Leon Springs", previous to that it was called "Spring Garden" (which is reflected in some of the area road names). It was, in effect, marketing based on the old legend of "Ponce De Leon's fountain of youth". In the 1950s structures were added that provided drinking "basins" where spring water could be collected by tourists. The site became one of the many roadside attractions.
This wall and "basin" is one of the remaining artifacts from the original "roadside attraction" days.
Next to the spring is the Old Spanish Mill Pancake house (or Grill and Griddle house depending on the sign you read). Pancakes (make 'em yourself at the table) are reasonably priced - but make reservations or plan to wait. Weekends are busy; on this Sunday morning it was raining with no crowds and the wait was still about an hour.
The "springs" itself is like a huge half-moon, 72° swimming pool. A small shallow area is roped off for waders. The other, deeper area, attracts scuba divers.
This waterfall shows the amount of waterflow pouring out of the springs into the lake.
Looking around the lake after the rain subsided. This was March 21st, about 65° and the trees had just started to green up and bloom over the past 10 days.
Equipment used: Nikon D300, Tokina 12-24, Nikkor 135mm/f.28 Qc
Anyway - De Leon Springs is about 25 miles west of Daytona Beach in the western part of Volusia County. The "springs" provide year-round 72°f water for swimming. They also have a restaurant that features pancakes you cook at the table on a hot skillet, and other meals.
Click images to make 'em big!
Aerial View - the actual springs are at the bottom of the image
In the late 1800s the park area's name was changed to it's current "De Leon Springs", previous to that it was called "Spring Garden" (which is reflected in some of the area road names). It was, in effect, marketing based on the old legend of "Ponce De Leon's fountain of youth". In the 1950s structures were added that provided drinking "basins" where spring water could be collected by tourists. The site became one of the many roadside attractions.
This wall and "basin" is one of the remaining artifacts from the original "roadside attraction" days.
Next to the spring is the Old Spanish Mill Pancake house (or Grill and Griddle house depending on the sign you read). Pancakes (make 'em yourself at the table) are reasonably priced - but make reservations or plan to wait. Weekends are busy; on this Sunday morning it was raining with no crowds and the wait was still about an hour.
The "springs" itself is like a huge half-moon, 72° swimming pool. A small shallow area is roped off for waders. The other, deeper area, attracts scuba divers.
This waterfall shows the amount of waterflow pouring out of the springs into the lake.
Looking around the lake after the rain subsided. This was March 21st, about 65° and the trees had just started to green up and bloom over the past 10 days.
Equipment used: Nikon D300, Tokina 12-24, Nikkor 135mm/f.28 Qc
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