In Weeki Wachee, Florida
538 acre park that features a first magnitude spring! Located on U.S. 19 and State Road 50. Celebrity guests to the park have included Elvis Presley, Don Knotts and Esther Williams to name a few. At one point in its history Weeki Wachee Springs Park was owned by broadcast network ABC. In November 2008 the State of Florida took over Weeki Wachee Springs as a State Park.
- There is a submerged theater to see the magical mermaids.
- Take a river boat cruise.
- Canoe or kayak the Weeki Wachee River.
- Take in the animal show to see Florida’s native wildlife, including gators.
- Experience Buccaneer Bay – flume ride, white sandy beach, picnic areas.
Missed out on the river boat cruise due to the hour wait time. The river boat cruise takes you for a ride on the Weeki Wachee River. The boat captain provides guests with an educational experience about the river and natural wildlife.
Once upon a time . . .
A Princess was born to King Neptune. She was no ordinary mermaid though. She was so fair, so pretty and so sweet. She was called “Princess Wonderous.”
“These turbulent seas,” exclaimed King Neptune to his court and subjects, “is no place for one of such beauty as “Wonderous.” Go to the four corners of the seas and find a place to match her personality. Find a place where the water is sweet and clear as the air… where it is neither hot nor cold, summer nor winter. Find a place where flowers bloom all the time. Find a place where she can bask in the golden rays of the sun by day and the pearly moonbeams by night.” Such a place seemed impossible to find by his loyal subjects. From all the world they came — the Sun Fish from the Orient — the while from the north — the marlin from the Pacific — but alas! no one found the perfect spot. A friendly porpoise reported that he had been told of such a place by a shipwrecked sailor. This time the King summoned the gulls, pelicans and all the birds of the sea. “Go forth and find the place of the winding waters in the land of flowers.” And from a wise flamingo he learned of Weeki Wachee and with the help of the Good Fairy, in a twinkle of the eye and a wave of her magic want, “Princess Wonderous” was placed on her throne in Weeki Wachee where she has lived happily ever since!
Yes, there is a place called Weeki Wachee in Florida and it is home to Mermaids!
The Mermaids
If you are lucky you will see and witness the magic of the mermaids, usually around 11:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. If you are really lucky you will see them do “Fish Tails” around 1:30 p.m. There is a submerged theater to see the magical mermaids.
The mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs have been here since 1947.
“Fish Tales”
Lucky to catch the mermaids doing their “fish tales”!
The turtle stole the show for a bit!
The Spring
The spring was named “Weeki Wachee” by the Semiole Indians, which means “Little Spring” or “Winding River.”
“From May 22 until August 30, 2007, the discharge level at Weeki Wachee spring dropped to a level that allowed for cave divers to gain effective entry into the cave system at the spring. The Karst Underwater Research team successfully executed exploration dives and the necessary in-water decompression to explore approximately 6,700 feet in multiple passages at an average depth of 265 Feet Fresh Water (ffw) with a maximum depth of 407 ffw. The 407 ffw depth makes the cave system under Weeki Wachee springs the deepest known fresh water cave system in the United States.“
Peacocks and Peahens
(Photos by RSheridan)
Here’s To the Magical – Enjoy!!!
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