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Todays travels have taken us to Silver Springs State Park, situated in Ocala - 120 North of Kissimmee (it's actually only 100 miles, but given Rachael's continued insistence on ignoring both her navigator & TomTom our route was 120 miles !!).
The Park was a sleepy place - the average age of the staff must've been in excess of 70, however all of the staff were extremely friendly and knowledgeable - if they weren't the most energetic & dynamic of people !
The Park is situated on the largest natural Springs in Florida - they produce a staggering 550,000,000 gallons of water a day (enough to supply the entire population of New York City). The water is 99.8% pure and as you can imagine is crystal clear. Just the place for a flotilla of glass bottomed boats to ensure excellent views across & above the springs.
This park has been the scene for many TV Series & films, including Steve Irwin, Tarzan & James Bond. We actually saw Tarzan's motor - the jeep which he used to travel around the jungle / set when the cameras were off !
The boat trips lasted approximately 45 minutes each (we had 3 separate trips) and offered amazing views over the largest springs - the deepest view being over 85 feet. Big Mouthed Trout, Blue Catfish, Turtles & Snapper Turtles were in abundance beneath us.
We also undertook a jeep safari tour - taking in the 'Jungle' area in which the Tarzan movies were filmed. This included a visit of the wild monkeys who live in the forest neighbouring the Park.
Kritter Korner also included some 'domestic' animals for us to feed & pet, including deer, donkeys, llamas, minature ponies. Whilst we were brave enough to feed the giraffe, the Kodiac Bear (Max) looked pretty well fed, so I opted not to offer him a cracker through his cage !! Max was a massive creature, we watched him take a bath, stretch against his tree & return to his 'cabin' for some R&R in the shade.
Silver Springs also boasts Florida Panthers, a huge aligator enclosure and a pair of 'ghost aligators' which we visited during our trip.
Whilst in the Park, we took a ride on the Lighthouse Ride, which extended to approximately 100 feet off the ground before rotating - providing great views across the park.
Not a bad day out at all !!
Thursday 21st marks the last "relaxing" day of our holiday - the books are being packed and all lie-ins have been cancelled because Michelle & the girls are due to join us tonight.
I took in a round of golf at our usual local Golf Course - Kissimmee Golf Club, and despite the early disasters, including thwacking my greenside bunker shot approximately 135 yards out of the bunker, over the green, past the next tee box, over the retaining fence and onto the Kissimmee Airport Runway, I managed to play a nuber of golf shots !! My score card includes a couple of pars and a bogey or two (we won't talk about the balance of the scores, but it's safe to say that the course record was not in danger).
We certainly looked the part, brightening up the course in our newly purchased golf T-Shirts - that could explain the lack of wildlife on display during our round - they had taken shelter from the lime green & mustard yellow golf shirts on display !
Rachael & Valerie took a visit to the shops (again !) - before collecting us from the 18th green. On our return to The Villa, I took advantage of my final opportunity for a 'quiet swim' without being joined by Megan, Phoebe & the inflatable shamoo !
Must dash now, as we are off to collect the girls from the airport - hope you are all keeping well back home !
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