Weeki Wachee Springs

After a week in the busy, metro area of Miami - Ft. Lauderdale, it was time to continue our tour of "Old Florida".  We drove west, over Alligator Alley, returning to the Gulf side of Florida.

Weeki Wachee Springs was on my "to see list" because it is the home of the mermaid shows, a roadside attraction since 1947.  Similar to the changes at Silver Springs, tourism at this attraction had become severely reduced and the Florida state park system has converted this tourist spot into a state park.  I was impressed to see that Florida is working to keep certain areas of "old Florida" existing for new generations.

The entrance fee is low considering it includes at least two (different) mermaid shows, a boat trip along the Weeki Wachee River, and ranger led wildlife shows. In the summer, a large water park by the spring fed lake, with picnic areas, is also open. 

The wildlife reminded me of the animal interpretations at the Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum, where I volunteer when back home in AZ.  This show featured some of the local reptiles.

Alligators are not part of the desert wildlife, but common here!

Florida Kingsnake

Weeki Wachee is Seminole for "little spring", but it's big enough to provide water for a 12 mile river flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.  The flow rate is more than 170 million gallons/day from a subterranean cavern (which hasn't been explored due to its depth).

During the river boat ride, we did see a mother manatee and her calf, and a few birds.

But the main reason to see the springs, is to enter the 400-seat submerged theatre and watch the live mermaid show through a large, windowed wall.  The one we attended was a show based on the story and music of the "Little Mermaid".   People of all ages attended; many were multi-generational families.   And, everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy this unique show. 

To train to perform underwater for around 30 minutes has to be difficult.  But what was really impressive was how the performers were "mouthing" the songs (which the audience heard via "taped" audio speakers).  How do they do that and not drown??!!

My other big question is why/ how do the turtles stay in the show?  Chasing air bubbles?  Maybe, but they do appear to be part of the underwater show, and the mermaids seem used to dealing with their antics!

Walking around after the morning show, we noticed that the "resident" peafowl were out  - mostly checking the outdoor lunch crowd for tidbits. We were most impressed with the albino bird with the "flock".

While Gary and I had both visited Silver Springs as kids, this was our first trip to Weeki Wachee.  I would definitely return again to see another mermaid show; maybe I could find out more about the turtle "actors"...