Silver Springs

On Thursday, we drove to Silver Springs, just outside the town of Ocala.

Throughout history, Silver Springs has been a timeless oasis and a place of unparalleled beauty, offering respite to early settlers who drew sustenance from its 99.8 percent pure artesian spring waters.

We didn't really know what to expect, but Lesley had checked it out on the internet and thought it had plenty to offer - and that we would see some 'critters'....

Silver Springs’ popularity flourished after Hullam Jones invented the glass bottom boat there in 1878. By installing a glass viewing box on the flat bottom of a dugout canoe, he created a window to an underwater world teeming with fish, turtles, crustaceans and fossils more than 10,000 years old.

Other interesting things we found out:

1973: Silver Springs began a Wildlife Rehabilitation Program designed to rescue and rehabilitate animals injured in the wild.

1990: Jeep Safari, a 35-acre jungle safari, opened to the public. This was the first new expansion at Silver Springs in 12 years.

1995: The White Alligator Exhibit opened to the public.

We really enjoyed the day, and had encounters up-close & personal with giraffe, llamas, alligators and bears! Pictured above is a Kodiak Bear from Alaska!