"It's truly a beautiful place to be,” Michael Maier comments while sitting on the back bench of a canoe.
It’s here along the Wekiva River, not far from civilization, where the real Florida awaits.
Mary Weinaug with Wekiva Island calls this part of Seminole County a "cool eco destination that's right in your backyard."
And it is, just depending on what county you call home and where you start your journey.
In Orange County awaits a paddling excursion that starts at Wekiwa Springs State Park and quickly winds its way along the Wekiva River in Seminole County. You read that right. Two places, two very similar names. Park ranger Robert Brooks explains why.
"Well, Wekiva is the river. Wekiwa is the spring,” he said with a wide grin.
“It’s the difference in meaning ‘bubbling water,’ verses ‘flowing water,’ from the Native American language, but probably that is a myth,” Brooks shared. “The truth is the original surveyor just spelled it wrong on the papers."
Today, folks check out a kayak or a canoe in the rental center before heading to the beach. Arrive here too late, and you’ll be out of luck. A peg board sports blue cards, like old-fashioned library cards, that correspond with the boats. If the pegs holding the cards are full, you’ll have to wait to float.
"Our concessionare will provide you with everything that you need; from boats to paddles to life jackets to whistles,” Robert said. While adults do not have to wear the life jacket, state law said it must be inside the boat with them at all times.
Paddlers Shelby White and Michael Maier hit the water to get away from city life and the beach.
"Sand just gets everywhere,” White believed. “And I just don't like that.”
"This is like a staycation,” Maier said. “You're right down the street, but at the same time, you're having a good time and you're not spending a lot of money."
On the water, keep your eyes peeled.
"You can see little gators all over the place,” White said like an expert. This is her second time visiting in less than a month, she shared.
Alligators, turtles and limpkins are among other creatures that are at arm’s reach and sometimes get too close. Be ready. Collisions can occur between canoes with unexperienced captains.
Some will pack a picnic, while others will wait until they reach dry land. Paddlers can tie-up and then fill up on Wekiva Island, where the Without a Paddle Cafe serves lunch. Watch out alligator, there’s gator on this menu.
"We want them to learn to recycle. We have recycle centers all around,” Weinaug shared. “We want them to go home and not throw that can in the trash and put it in a recycle bin."
Just leave energy to get back to the beach.
"For every 20 minutes you go down river, the water is pushing behind you as you come out of the springs. It's going to take you 30 minutes to paddle back up against that,” Brooks warned.
For those not wanting a workout, the head of Wekiwa Springs is open to bathing. A large grassy area overlooks the place where the fresh water boils up from the Florida aquifer. A hiking trail and scenic boardwalk is also available.
"There's a whole bunch of new things you can find, every time you are out here,” Maier said.
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