Adventures in Paradise By Nanette Wiser
Daycation Trip #1: Rejuvenation Station
Trip 1: South of Sarasota, North Port is home to Warm Mineral Springs, a peaceful location to recharge and experience the sole naturally occurring warm mineral spring in the state. Florida is home to more than 1,000 springs, but Warm Mineral is one of only three known natural hot springs in Florida, and the only one with public access.
At about 87 degrees, Warm Mineral Springs is the warmest and southernmost spring in the state. It also boasts the largest number of different minerals — calcium, magnesium, strontium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, silica, sulphur, nitrogen, fluoride and chlorides — at least 51 in all. Because of its high mineral content, the water also has gained a reputation for being magical. Research shows that magnesium helps nerve function, sulfate helps fight infection, and potassium helps electrolyte balance.
It’s a sinkhole, believed by archeologists to have opened to the surface as much as 30,000 years ago. Some 10,000 years ago the spring was used as an Indian burial ground. The mineral water preserved the fossils of saber-toothed tigers, sloths — and ancient humans and their primitive tools. Learn more at www.warmmineral.com. For more on Florida springs, visit www.floridasprings.org.
Daycation Trip #2: Safety Harbor
Trip 2: With special spa packages, a natural mineral spring and glorious wellness program, a day trip to Safety Harbor Resort & Spa is a terrific holiday gift for a friend…or you! The 50,000 sq. ft. spa features 30 newly renovated treatment rooms including men and women’s bath and shower facilities, Kerstin Florian Signature treatments and products, three swimming pools and world-class dining for a revitalizing mind and body experience. Daily fitness classes include yoga, Pilates, Zumba, tai chi and Aqua Yoga. Ask about half day and full day packages with Florida resident rates. safetyharborspa.com/spa.
Safety Harbor is a serene community, anchored by the Resort and fun to explore from the history to the boutiques and excellent restaurants In 1539, Hernando Desoto reached the shores of Old Tampa Bay and discovered the natural springs, later named “Espiritu Santo Springs,” believing he had found the legendary “Fountain of Youth” missed by Ponce De Leon. In 1964, Safety Harbor Resort and Spa was named a Historical Landmark; in 1997 it became a Florida Heritage Landmark.
Daycation Trip #3: Manatees in Crystal River
Trip 3: In Crystal River, hundreds of the slow moving mammals meander from the cooling Gulf to pristine spring Nov. 15-March 31. Known as the Manatee Capital of the World, the Crystal River area is home to an amazing network of springs along Kings Bay and the Homosassa River, where the waters remain a constant 72 degrees (23 C). It is also home to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, the only refuge in the United States specifically created to protect critical habitats for the manatees. Crystal River and Homosassa are the only places in North America where swimmers can experience an up-close encounter with manatees in the wild.
With COVID-19 precautions top of mind, many outfitters now offer semi-private and private boat tours, carefully cleaning all swim and snorkel gear to ensure visitors have the safest, most rewarding underwater experience possible. New for this year, visitors can expect to see improvements at Three Sisters Spring Refuge. Though there is no ramp access to the springs from the refuge, the area is popular for its winding boardwalk, where manatees can easily be seen, thanks to the crystal clear water. The refuge has paved the entry road for cars and opened restrooms for park users.
Why so many manatees? Fed by the Floridan aquifer, Crystal River springs are the natural choice for manatees to seek warm water shelter when temperatures in Florida waters fall below 65 degrees (18 C). In waters that cold, manatees can experience cold stress and even hypothermia. Springs are the natural sheltering choice for manatees since the springs have a constant temperature of 72 to 74 degrees (22-23 C).