Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill, Florida

Bill treated us to a day at Weeki Wachee state park back in January 2014, and then we went again with our family over Christmas vacation. Weeki Wachee is where the Mermaids live; they put on quite a show in the spring with the Ariel Mermaid theme.  After that we saw a reptile show where the hostess showed us some snakes, turtles and an alligator.  We then took a boat ride in the springs that run down to the gulf taking care to wait for and drive around the manatees that have come up the water to escape the colder water.

There are also a flock of peacocks that roam the area.  They are so beautiful.

The famous springhead supplies the 12-mile Weeki Wachee River. Weeki Wachee was named by the Seminole Indians, and means "little spring" or "winding river." More than 170 million gallons of water flow from the subterranean caverns daily. The spring's basin is 100 feet wide with limestone sides. Sixteen to 20 feet below the surface, the current runs a strong five miles per hour, posing a challenge for the mermaids to say in one place. 

In December 2016 Josh and Karen made a trip to visit Jacklyn in Florida. We visited Weeki Wachee after Christmas with Josh & Karen and Phil & JoAnn. The mermaid show still had the same theme, but Ellie loved it and was totally amazed.  She kept remarking that she finally got to see real, live mermaids.

Jim remarked that his parents brought him and Jack to Weeki Wachee when they were little, and now we came with our children and grandchildren.  That would make it four generations that have visited the mermaids.  The mermaids have been entertaining visitors since 1947. 

Princess Wonderous