Rainbow Springs State Park– Dunnellon, FL

2 Chicas Somewhere Over the Rainbow

West of Ocala is Rainbow Springs, another Florida hidden treasure! Chica 1 purchased a state pass and has thoroughly enjoyed getting her money’s worth visiting state parks! Chica 2 on the other hand, has enjoyed calling off the names of parks that just so happen not to be in the state park system.  Chica 2 – please Universal, Busch Gardens, and Sea World are in a league of their own! Tee hee he

After finding and entering Rainbow Springs, Chica 2 wailed – “Ohhhh, look at that big hole! Do you think we're going to get sucked into that sinkhole?”


As it turned out, it was the remnants of a phosphate pit.  It is always interesting to see the residuals of man’s best intentions. 

Sometimes we just get it plain wrong!  Of course, phosphate was one of the key ingredients found in your favorite dishwashing liquids and laundry detergents.

Now because of the damage phosphate does to our waterways, it has been eliminated in products.  

Red tide, bacteria growth and algae blooms have at times sucked the oxygen out of local waterways. Chica 2 screams - "Enough! Get off your soapbox!"  Good sense of humor Chica 2! Tee hee he

All this talk of lakes, ponds, and streams made Chica 1 need a potty break before the adventure could continue.

Sometimes Chica 2 believes that although she is always accused of being a child, Chica 1 is the one who mistakenly received an infant sized bladder. 

Back to the park, once you pass the Ranger station, you pretty quickly get to see the springs and they are beautiful. Be sure to have on your comfortable walking shoes because you will encounter steep inclines and descents.

There are beautiful vantage points and overlooks to take pictures prior to your descent down the trails.

As Chica 1 looked over the beautiful spring, she could not help but think how many different areas the Creator made for us to enjoy.

A beautiful egret went hunting for dinner right before our eyes. Before we could snap a picture, he flew away to a quieter spot to enjoy his meal!
The 2 Chicas strolled down the paths and enjoyed looking at the waterfall.  What a picturesque little area.
Keep going and you will find a boardwalk that goes back to the bog area that surrounds the spring.

Throughout the park there are picnic areas with bbq grills. Rainbow Springs offers wonderful opportunities to spend the day and let the kids swim with the turtles in the spring. Looking down into the spring Chica 2 tried to imagine what was making the little bubbles in the sand.  Do you really think it is the Loch Ness monster Chica 2?

Chica 2 was finally quiet enough to catch a picture of a beautiful red cardinal hiding in the low brush. 2 Chicas looked at each other and smiled. It was so nice to have another opportunity to enjoy the perfection of God’s great land!

One of the trails takes you back to the butterfly garden and an abandoned zoo.  This park was originally a tourist attraction and even had a rodeo.  A few of the relics remain in the park.  The nature trail weaves you through different areas of the park.  

Chica 2 closed out the trip by running around like a kid trying to take a photo of the butterflies. Find your own little place somewhere over in Rainbow Springs.

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Cedar Key

This rustic village sits at the tip of Levy County.  It is a step back to Florida as it used to be; a quiet town with a lot of old simple houses.  Of course there are new Mcmansions, but don’t let that distract you.

One thing really sticks out – you won’t find any Holiday Inns here.  There are no chain hotels. There are a lot of old Florida cottage like motels and a few upscale condos.  Nice and simple; just the way the 2 Chicas like it - sometimes.

The main strip is nicely preserved with old buildings and there is a dock area with lots of restaurants as well as an overlook area.

Check out the lighthouse and be sure to walk, bike, or golf cart your way through the handful of blocks.

Grab a fishing pole and spend some time fishing and when you get tired of that, do some bird watching at the Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge. 

Cedar Key has a large protected sanctuary that is home to all kinds of birds.  Some are rare, but there is no scarcity of birdwatching.

While out and about, check out the lighthouse.  It is customary to see huge osprey flying overhead, and Chica 1 spotted a barn owl sitting on top of a pier.

By now you’ve got to be hungry, so make sure to eat at one of the local restaurants. 

They all specialize in serving different gulf seafood dishes.  Clams are really a big deal here; they're a local speciality, so try some!

Don’t overlook the biggest draw in town – beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  Be sure to have your favorite drink in hand – preferably non-alcoholic and enjoy the free show!

The 2 Chicas checked out the Blue Desert Café. It was a really eclectic spot, decorated with a variety of items. There was money posted up on the walls, as were maps, rock and roll memorabilia, license plates, and different old replica metal posters. The food was simple and tasty.  Try the clam linguini.

Get out and explore the island.  There's a state park area that has artifacts from early settlers in the area. 

There are some interesting pieces like a cannon, an old home, a fishing boat, and a large salt kettle. 

There are informational markers sharing key facts about each item.

You never know what is around the bend so don't take this little island for granted.  Cedar Key is a real hippee, yippee place and don't you forget it!

Shell Mound Archeological Site

The drive out to the shell mound is quite solitary.  After exploring the boardwalk area, and waving to a solitary pelican, the 2 Chicas set out to find the mound.

So off we went, admiring the marshy plains and the expansive beauty of the gulf.

It is really something to stand right at the edge of the water and realize how small you are in relation to all you see.

It is also some kind of awesome to make a footprint in the sand and watch the water repetitively wash it away.  We are all a part of something so much larger.  

Anyhoo, if you are anything like Chica 1, you will look everywhere for the mound.  Eventually, if you stop for a minute, you will realize you are standing on it! 

The shells from this large mound at one point were being used for street surfacing, until other antiquities were discovered.

The mound was made from the shells discarded by the ancient folks after eating their meals. 

You’re walking on 6,000 years worth of dinner.  Umm....

There’s a fishing pier, boat ramp and hiking trail. It's a really neat area so if you get a chance, check it out.  You won't believe the beauty and serenity.

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Brooksville Area - Nature Coast

2 Chicas and the tail of Weeki Wachee

Chica 1 is so nostalgic.  She is always talking to Chica 2 about the “old Florida” before the whole Disney World corridor was constructed.  So the 2 Chicas set off in search of the tourist attractions that dotted the state back in the good old days that were really just ok.

Weeki Wachee is home to the infamous mermaid show, thus the “tail” of the park.  Upon entering Weeki Wachee, get familiar with the schedule so that you may enjoy all of the mermaid and animal shows. 

The park employees are very good at engaging the children during the native animal show.  Be sure to get a picture of the kids petting an alligator.  Not you Chica 2!

Take the boat tour down Weeki Wachee springs.  The guide points out alligators, birds, and enormous fish.  There were so many bass, Chica 2 had to be restrained from jumping overboard and doing some good old fashioned red neck hand fishing!

After a hot boat ride, there’s nothing more refreshing than stopping in the little café for a bite to eat. The hamburgers were very good and the kids really enjoyed the ice cream.  Then on to the first mermaid show.

While this show was relatively entertaining, the Little Mermaid show is the star attraction.  It has an engaging story line; it is action packed, and the performers really get the audience going!

Chica 2 had to admit that she was impressed with how long the performers could hold their breath underwater.  She wanted to try, but the actors ran away saying something about when pigs fly. 

After the show you can have your picture taken with one of the mermaids. Great innocent fun! Tell them 2 Chicas can still hear the song of the siren!!

2 Chicas and the Attack of the Seagulls

Pine Island is a quaint little beach just east of Weeki Wachee.  The 2 Chicas decided to take a picnic bbq lunch over and check it out.  Unbeknownst to the 2 Chicas, this beach is home to a thieving gang of seagulls, specially trained in hand to hand food combat theft.

As Chica 1 prepared the grill for a quickie hotdog delight, Chica 2 was savoring a garden variety chocolate chip cookie. Just as she was about to take a bite, along came a seagull just as quiet as can be, snatched that cookie, and flew up in a tree! 

Chica 2 jumped up and ran behind the cookie snatching bird, but to no avail, the bird had the advantage of being a flying thief. Chica 2 tried to take flight but sadly remained bound to earth.  She was beside herself, especially since it seemed that dastardly seagull was soaring around mocking the 2 Chicas.

Chica 2 sat down dejected and had to be reminded that there was an entire package of cookies awaiting her longing taste buds. Chica 2 guardedly snacked away....

Five minutes later, the 2 Chicas watched in horror as an older beachcomber was accosted by the birds for her sandwich. This gang runs that beach!

Chica 2, in an attempt to soothe her hurt feelings, purchased French fries at the stand on the beach. As she was returning to the shelter, another bird swooped down and hit her hand in an attempt to make her drop her fries. 

2 Chicas looked around fearfully for Alfred Hitchcock and Tippi Hedren….

There’s a nice playground for the kids and it’s fun to walk down the beach during low tide exploring the things left behind by the water. 

You can go wander out quite a little distance and gaze at the kayakers.  2 Chicas say big bad bird stay away, we want to come back another day!

2 Chicas at Homosassa Springs

After finding the parking area for the Ellie Schiller Visitor Center, the Chicas were almost immediately transported back to the 1950's.  This is another example of old Florida, so prepare yourself for a visit to easy street. 

You have the option of paying now or paying after the boat ride, so the 2 Chicas hopped onto the pontoon without a care in the world. This adventure began with a fun 20 minute leisurely ride to the main entrance of the park.

The guide was very informative. Chica 1 warns that you may need to slather up with sunscreen as the boat was not covered.  Chica 2 wanted to mount the “cute little gator” sunbathing on a log. 

Chica 2, his mouth is not open because he is saying “come on over”.  He’s really saying, "here comes dinner!"

The guide shared that the Native Americans named the springs after the trees that grow red berries in the area, but the term literally means red pepper. 

The guide was also very good about sharing local nature and historical facts for those who were from other parts of the country.

The admission fee of the park is reasonable considering that part of the mission is to preserve and rescue injured animals.  You can also donate additional dollars to support the manatees. 

The springs are spectacular.  The water is crystal clear and in some areas quite deep. Explore the observation deck and go downstairs to see the springs from an underwater perspective. 

The water is full of a variety of fish.  Chica 2 was seen running around the underwater viewing center with the other 3 and 4 year olds pointing and screaming, "what’s the name of that fish?"  "Boy, isn't that one big?"

After being redirected a number of times, she patiently went through the center and noted the types of species, which included gigantic snook, sheepshead, and grunts.

Chica 2 suddenly became hungry and asked one of the rangers if they fried up any of these fish in the café.  Sadly, the 2 Chicas had to settle for chicken….

Chica 1’s chicken wrap was very delectable and Chica 2 had chicken tenders with honey mustard.  Chica 2 will make a more mature selection in the future as the chicken tenders were not very gentle on her digestive system.

Next up, the manatee show. 2 Chicas were so excited to anticipate what the show would entail, but were quickly disappointed.  A reminder to park employees, USE THE MICROPHONE! 

Not that the information was either informative or exciting, but it's the principle of the thing.  The show basically consisted of the ranger throwing lettuce in the water and speaking in a monotone voice. 

Chica 2 had to be stopped from throwing one of her chicken tenders in the water with a gentle reminder that the manatees are vegetarians.  So after a few unentertaining moments, off the 2 Chicas went to explore the rest of the park.

While the West Indian manatees are the stars  of the park, Lu the hippopotamus was also a large, stinky sight for the eyes. Chica 2 has a special infatuation with broken things.  She says that is why she just luvs Chica 1! Tee he hee

The park is laid out in a large oval so you can't get lost and will end up at your starting point.

The humongous alligators, with their lazy selves, were sunning, which bored Chica 2. So she decided that she wanted to go splash around with a whole lot of injured birds. She fancies herself some sort of stork in the Karate Kid kind of way….

Later, Chica 2 did her infamous sick buzzard cry, the wolves tried to run back into their pen, the flamingos tried to hide their heads in the water, and the owls became agitated. 

Anyhoo, many of the birds were missing wings for a variety of reasons, and Chica 2 was infatuated with a “pimping”, injured bald eagle.  She thought he was a mack daddy! 

There are black bears, a Florida panther, a bobcat, and a gazillion other animals so saddle up and enjoy!  Tell them 2 Chicas said 2 (or should we say 4) thumbs up ! Tee hee hee....

2 Chicas and the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins

Please believe, when something says ruins, the area really is in ruins!  This site is the remains of a sugar mill, but it is in extremely poor repair and general maintenance.  The grounds are over run with weeds and there were no information pamphlets available. 

The displays in front of some of the items were faded and did not do service to the great historical significance of the site. 

Nonetheless, this was free and very informational. Chica 2 wants to get one piece of sugarcane and try her hand at making homemade sugar. 

Chica 1 suggested she sticks to purchasing it from the store.  Chica 2 is not known for a hard physical work ethic…Tee hee he

While in the Brooksville area, try eating at The Thai Room.  The food is really fresh and the service is amazingly good.  Our waiter shared detailed information on the dishes and the types of spices available.  Chica 1 had the Amazing Beef and Chica 2 had the Chicken Vegetable mix. The waiter was very informative and helped Chica 2 make a decision.  Thank goodness because Chica 1 was hungry. Check out The Thai Room and tell them 2 Chicas said we like it spicy!