Day 38 - February 5, 2016 - Ja Mar RV Resort - Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Mermaid Show

After yesterday's rain the humidity and temperature dropped dramatically. The expected high today is 63 with cold winds.

We thought it would be  a good idea to take a ride to Weeki Wachee Springs Sate Park and take in the Mermaid Show. There are mixed mixed reviews on the show but it is something to do. 

The park has an interesting history so I added that from the Florida Parks website. 

http://www.floridasprings.org/visit/map/weekiwacheesprings/

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

This historic and world-renowned tourist attraction features Weeki Wachee Spring, 1 of Florida’s 33 first-magnitude springs. The spring, plus a second-magnitude spring in the park and several smaller springs outside the park, combine to form the 7-mile-long Weeki Wachee River.

The spring’s average discharge is 112 million gallons a day. The sandy-bottomed spring pool is large, at 165 feet by 210 feet, but the vent is a small 20-foot by 3-foot opening through exposed limestone rock at a depth of 185 feet. The force of the discharge is too great for safe entry except during drought conditions. Divers report that the cave has a roomlike tunnel that is 55 feet wide, 28 feet high, and 220 feet long. They have been able to map and explore over 6,700 feet of deep passages, and report 1 pit to be just over 400 feet deep, the deepest recorded in the United States. The mermaids at Weeki Wachee Spring have delighted visitors since 1947, and visitors can still witness their magic from the 400-seat submerged theater. The park is located on U.S. Highway 19 at the intersection of State Road 50, just north of Spring Hill and south of Homosassa Springs.

At a Glance:

Activities: Mermaid show, animal shows, boat tour, kayaking/canoeing, scuba diving, wildlife viewing, restaurant, banquet hall, snack bar, picnic area. Buccaneer Bay (a seasonal water park) offers swimming, a water slide, and snorkeling.

We were surprised to see so many people in theater when we arrived. Mostly adults  and a few kids. The show was unique but not too exciting. I guess we just weren't into the "Little Mermaid." We did get a charge out of the turtles that were trying to take advantage of the air bubbles and had to be constantly pushed away by the performers. 

After the show we took a ride on the river boat that was very nice. 

Then we saw the animal demonstration and stopped for lunch. There were several peacocks hanging around hoping for some crumbs.

Later that day we did some shopping then went to Perkins for dinner. By evening the temp was dropping rapidly and walking Jewel required our winter  coats. So much for heat and humidity.

Rain is expected again for tomorrow. It seems that it is raining here every other day.