Florida Wildflowers and Springs in the Spring

12-15 March 2008

... a search for wildflowers that normally grow in the north Georgia mountains

Day 1. First stop was Manatee Springs State Park on the Suwannee River, near Chiefland. Currently, the Suwannee water is colder than Manatee Springs, so the manatees are mostly hanging out in the springs. We did see one that was headed out to the Suwannee, testing the waters, perhaps. We spent the night in Chiefland.
Day 2a. We left Chiefland early in the morning. Our first stop was Wakulla Springs State Park, where we took a tour boat ride. Saw several alligators and birds.
Day 2b. We reached Marianna in the early afternoon, checked into a motel, then visited nearby Florida Caverns State Park. We didn't do the caverns, but instead took a nature trail that led us through woods filled with Appalachian wildflowers (trilliums, columbines, etc.).
Day 3. Early in the morning, we visited Falling Waters State Park, about 10 miles west of Marianna. The water was flowing in the 73-ft waterfall. A bit of water was also falling from the sky. We then headed south and landed back in Chiefland for the night.
Day 4. We drove through the Ocala National Forest on our way home. First stop was a boat ramp on the south shore of big Lake George. Second and final stop was Alexander Springs.