Springs so clear you can see through the earth to China😜

Homosassa Springs & the Chassahowitzka river “The Chaz”

Sun Dec 12, 2021

The first part of the day was spent at a retirement zoo for lost wildlife. The hippo was a old movie star, now honorary citizen of Florida. The other animals were either taken from illegal owners, or there because of some injury. The poor creatures are at least given “enrichment“ a few times a day by creative volunteers.

Stacey & I stumbled upon these ladies at the panther enclosure and followed them around the park. It was the best part of our visit, and I’m sure the best part of each sad pets day. My favorite story of the day was the male whooping crane, Levi, that came to visit an injured female whooper, Peepers, and after a few years of just visiting, he moved in and stayed for good. We did stop to see the springs, after the manatee feeding in their pool. Two cases of lettuce 3x a day, and that’s for just 4 manatees. The spring’s underwater enclosure

(think aquarium, but you walk down into the structure), would be amazing when the manatees are all hanging out by it, because it sits right on top of the spring source!

Since the river was still warmer than the springs, we only had fish to look at…

After saying goodbye to our favorite new friends, we made our way up to the Chassahowitzka river (the Chaz)

and rented a canoe. I did plan on a swim or two at the springs, so I packed my snorkel and mask just in case. I am so glad I did, because at the 7 Sisters springs, there are large enough caverns and tunnels you can swim through! To do it correctly, just make sure you go slow, and watch your head🥺. I did not do such, and scalped myself on the way up through the opening in the karst limestone. We heard this is a major party spot in the summer, but we pretty much had it to ourselves.

Up a side creek to the Chaz, hidden behind some palm trees, we found Baird Creek - a paddlers paradise! Baird creek is a shallow, sandy, and crystal clear creek that winds its way past palms and grasses to the “Crack”, a 17 ft long slice in the earth from where the springs emanate.

Of course, I had to jump in and look around, and wash the blood off my noggin from my head wound. Further down the river from Baird creek, we got out of the main channel to avoid the airboats, and found otters hunting along the shoreline, and a pair of mating bald eagles! This river has it all, and would be an all day adventure for anyone visiting.