From raceway to romance

Producer Allen Thigpen

Just miles from the July Fourth sporting spectacle of the Coke Zero 400 at the Daytona International Speedway is an escape to coastal paradise at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. Visitors to the beachside resort’s 212 guest rooms and suites enjoy an array of amenities and entertainment, including Indulge day spa, Azure restaurant, an outdoor tiki bar and cabana service, oceanfront pool and pampered-pet accommodations for cats and dogs (up to 50 pounds). For information on offers, like the First Kiss Again … at The Shores romance package, visit the resort’s Web site at www.shoresresort.com, or by phone, (386) 767-7350.

See more new products from area stores in the July issue of Water’s Edge, on newsstands now.

Florida’s cool, cool waters

Come summer, thoughts turn to springs

Writer and Photographer Allen Thigpen

Among a forest of cypress, maple and pine, our group of five made its way along the trail to the landing dock below, every step matched by the procession of parents, children, teens and college students around us. Bright yellow and blue inner tubes, looped over the shoulders of each, bumped along to the rhythm of the downhill march. It was the calm before the summer swarm, the makings of a splendid day at Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White, Florida.

The sweltering months of summer mean more than sand and seashells to Floridians. The state’s interior holds many treasures, chief among them the springs. Every year, thousands flock to the likes of Ichetucknee, seeking fun, relaxation and rest in nature’s cool, clear waters.

“I call it a stress reliever,” says Patty Martin, assistant park manager at Ichetucknee Springs. “You jump in the tube and, as it takes you down, you get so caught up in the scenery and natural beauty of the park you just forget about your troubles, relax and have a great time.”

Springs form where groundwater from the aquifer – a water-bearing layer of underground rock – meets the surface of the earth. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection estimates the state is home to more than 700 springs, all of which produce clear, pure water at a cool and constant 72 degrees. The nine springs of Ichetucknee churn out 233 million gallons of water a day.

For the better part of two hours, we sat back and let the lazy Ichetucknee current do the work, ushering our inflatable flotilla down the southern half of the park’s river run. Up to 750 swimmers and tubers are allowed on the run each day during the summer months, resulting in a ride of stark visual contrast.

The same gentle surroundings that are home to river otters, wood ducks and white-tailed deer were filled with laughter, playful splashing and floating traffic jams. Our view stretched on for as long as the trees and curving river route would allow, a funny image of bright plastic doughnuts drifting across the otherwise natural landscape.

The occasional swimmers would disappear from their tubes to explore the recesses and overhangs along the bank’s rock wall, limestone niches carved away by water and time. We passed several independent-minded cypress tree branches, growing out and above the river. A few adventurous teens made use of these ready-made diving perches, climbing to the top for a run of backflips and cannonballs.

Our group’s ride was trouble-free, aside from some humorous missteps toward the beginning. Attempting to launch from the midpoint dock, Charles Williams of Jacksonville slipped, splashing into the water and knocking his inner tube out beyond the shallow entry waters. A memorable 15 minute man-versus-tube struggle ensued, with Charles eventually righting the ship, so to speak, and settling in for the ride.

We were barely moving, but time seemed to fly. At run’s end, we decided once just wouldn’t do. We hopped the shuttle back to the south lot and took to the landing dock once more, setting our day of relaxation to repeat.

Check out “the springs spec sheet” – everything you need to know if you plan to visit one of Florida’s natural springs, in the July issue of Water’s Edge, on newsstands now.