REL 3938 Assignment 9: Homasassa Springs

REL 3938 Assignment 9: Homosassa Springs

When I first arrived at Homosassa, I spent quite a bit of time in the main building that exhibited a lot of history.  I enjoyed this exhibit quite a bit.  I also loved how they had pictures and a diorama of the early town.  The history helped me paint a picture of how the park progressed through the ages.  I found it interesting that one of the first main attractions in the area was a fishing competition.  According to the exhibit’s information, this fishing bowl seemed to be the starting point as to what drew people to the area.  Another heavily emphasized part of the area’s history was the railroad.  Not only did this mode of transportation bring resources and supplies to the locals, people from out of town used the train in order to visit the area.  Later in the century however, people began coming for things besides just fishing. 

One of the attractions at the park were the animals.  Unlike a normal animal at a zoo, some of these animals were made famous through TV and movies.  An example were the animals owned by Ivan Tors, such as Buck (a bear who would substitute for Gentle Ben) and Lu, a hippopotamus.  Interestingly enough, the locals’ love for this hippo is so strong they were able to get Lu to become an honorary citizen of the State of Florida, which is the main reason she has been able to reside in the park. 

            Just as it was about half a century ago, the main attractions at Homosassa are still the animals, especially the exotic animals such as manatees (debatably exotic) as well as Whooping cranes, red wolves, and key deer (according to their website).   However, something that has not remained constant is the treatment and preservation of the animals.  As time has passed, people have become more aware and knowledgeable of animal protection.  Such can be observed with how Homosassa Springs has developed since the park has shifted from an animal attraction to wildlife preservation.  An example is Lu the hippo: just as we were informed in class, people used to come to the park to practically hand-feed Lu with food meant for humans.  However, now that the park workers know how to take better care of animals (as opposed to feeding hippos food that hippos shouldn’t eat), Homosassa has shown it to be an exemplary preservation, which is quite a difference than simply an animal attraction.

            I am sad to say that I am not familiar with Flipper, Gentle Ben, and Clarence the Cross-Eyed Lion.  But I can say that I know them now!  Because of this enlightenment to historical pop culture, I believe it is important that we make parks such as this one known so that more people can have a revelation such as mine (and thereby understand the importance of preserving such parks).

REL 3938 Assignment 8: Rainbow Springs

REL 3938 Assignment 8 – Rainbow Springs

When Arthur McKee Latta said “people don’t want to walk the Appalachian Trail, they want to ride it,” I believe he thinks tourists of places don’t want to be completely immersed in a different, alien-like surroundings, but rather want to observe and get as close as possible while still retaining their own comfort zone.  Even though people’s comfort zone may still be very close to being broken when they travel in a park (via boat, submarine, trams), the tourists do not have to give up that secure feeling in these modes of transportation. 

Given that everyone is different, I am willing to acknowledge that there are those that enjoy being immersed in a different feeling other than their comfort zone, which is why a lot of attractions, such as rainbow springs, do offer walking, swimming, and riding modes of transportation as opposed to solely trams, submarines, and boats.  An appeal to both types of audiences is what makes an attraction successful. 

            Unfortunately I did not get the chance to swim in this spring, however I have swam in the Cayman Islands and the water there is comparable to a clear spring: when riding on top of the water the ride appears to be two-dimensional: forward, backwards, left, right.  However, when swimming in the water, another whole dimension is added: you can move back and forth and opposed to being limited to riding in a boat on the water.  It is comparable as drawing a straight line on a piece of paper as opposed to a line on a sphere – the former you can only stay in one plane, but the latter you can explore many different planes.

            I think we are drawn to the water for many reasons.  One reason is swimming – swimming is one of the closest things to feeling weightless – almost like having a superpower.  With this imagination, many people may enjoy swimming since they are able to do things in the water they cannot do on land, such as move your entire body with only your hands. 

            Another reason, for more curious minds, is the unknown.  Even though Rainbow Springs has much more clear water as opposed to other bodies of water, sometimes we cant always see what is underwater.  This fundamental difference between the visibility of water and air is something that may frighten some people (understandably since alligators and sharks are a relevant fear) and may intrigue some people (such as scuba divers, like myself). 

            According to some sources, the spring produces hundreds of millions of gallons of fresh water every day, which means that the spring is a major contributor towards fresh water.  Now the trick is trying to preserve this natural feature.

The “Friends of Rainbow Springs,” or the Citizen Support Organization that saved the springs from “direct encroachment” has made Rainbow Springs’ protection possible.   Groups like these are what preserve history for a special reason, not just because we can learn from our past, but because they have a special place for these springs in the heart.  They don’t want this sacred ground to become lost in history with other forgotten places, but rather will fight to keep their memories and the park’s history alive.   

REL Assignment 7: Wakulla Springs

REL Assignment 7: Wakulla Springs

            Driving to Wakulla Springs, I almost got lost since we my phone decided not to take me on the highway but rather back roads.  Even though I was nervous at first, I began to appreciate the small towns and older parts of Florida I would have missed if I were on the highway.

            Wakulla Springs as the first state park I visited that has a luxurious resort for people to retreat to.  Built in 1937, this resort was envisioned to be “a most unique retreat” (according to a history pamphlet).  Ball “knew then that the area had to be preserved” and his resort lasts till this very day.  The military even found use in this resort in World War II by allowing trainees to inhabit it.  Interestingly enough, during this period, a trainee set fire to the roof and it had to be replaced with a metal roof (instead of the original wood).  In the next segment in history, Wakulla Springs was used to shoot some popular films, such as “The Creature of the Black Lagoon” and “Tarzan” (just as Silver Springs). 

            Predating this resort was another interesting piece of history: the mastodon remains.  Even though I was unable to find these remains, I found out they were found in the river where boat tours are given.  Not only does this make Wakulla Springs more mysterious, but this also adds to the rich history this park has to offer.

            As I walked around the hotel wearing my Gator T-Shirt (30 minutes away from Tallahassee), I couldn’t help but notice that I felt out of place not only because this town is practically the rival of UF, but also because everyone else was dressed very nicely and proper.  It was at this moment when I realized that this hotel did not fade into history like some attractions from the “Wish You Were Here” era, but rather this Lodge and these springs remained a “unique retreat” as well as a historic landmark throughout time and hopefully people in the future will still have the chance to stop by and see what Wakulla Springs has to offer. 

REL Assignment 6: Weeki Wachee State Park

REL Assignment 6: Weecki Wachee Springs

When my GPS told me “ Arriving at destination on your right,” I was very surprised since I was still on a very busy road.  Nevertheless, Weeki Wachee Springs still proved to be an interesting state park hidden right on State Road 19.

             I noticed the park to be very similar to Busch Gardens (minus the loud roller coasters and masses of people).  I say this because there were a lot of natural-looking paths that had concession stands around the corner.  Also noteworthy were the peacocks roaming around the park without bounds (also similar to roller coaster tycoon).

            The first show I watched was an animal show.  There were not too many people at the show, but those who were present had their attention kept by the animal handler.  A lot of the visitors were either older folks or middle-aged folks with their kids who were between the ages of five to thirteen.  It was fun having people point out the gator on my shirt when the handler brought out a baby gator.

            Even though this show was interesting, the second show was the highlight of my trip.  The Mermaid Show is what Weeki Wachee is known for and I can understand why.  When I first walked into the Underwater Theatre, I didn’t think too much of the appearance of the outside.  It looked somewhat old and worn down.  Before the show was playing there were TVs playing black and white films of old mermaids (I presume) along with beachie music – a very nice touch.  When I heard that the show would be based on “The Little Mermaid,”  I knew this one an appeal to a more contemporary audience since the popular animated movie did not come out until 1989.  However, this does beg the question: why was the mermaid show popular in the 1950s?  According to WeekiWachee.com, back in the 50s the performers would stand on the side of the road and try to coax visitors from the side.  When they came the performers would then get ready to perform the show. 

            Something else I noticed that was similar to Busch Gardens was how the park’s main trail was in the shape of a circle.  Apparently the DEP wants to straighten this curvy path so that all parks have a similar look.  Personally, I would not like this because the curvy paths give this park a little adventure (an example is that the animal show was almost hidden, but on the way there the park workers decorated the area “Halloween-themed”). 

            In the end, it should have been Busch Gardens that reminded me of Weeki Wachee (since the latter has a seniority in Florida).  However, after watching these two shows and exploring the park, I can understand and imagine how this place used to be a major attraction in Florida and how the older populations that visited this small treasure in their childhood may see Weeki Wachee as special as a child today may see Busch Gardens. 

REL 3938 Assignment 5: DeLeon Springs

REL 3938 Assignment 5: DeLeon Springs

            When I first found the visitor center, I noticed how the archives/information on the walls was in order from the oldest history to the most recent history of those who lived around (what is now called) DeLeon Springs.  Beginning with ancient inhabitants that date back as far as 6,000 years ago (according to a hand out the center provided) to becoming a state park in 1982, DeLeon springs is definitely a site with immense historical value.

            Before the intrusion of European explorers, there were many Native Americans who inhabited the area.  Such evidence of these people includes shell mounds, middens (garbage heaps), and tools.  While we can verify the presence of these populations, some of history cannot be verified but rather is left to speculation.  An example in the timeline of DeLeon Springs would be that in the 1500s, Ponce DeLeon came to DeLeon Springs in order to find the Fountain of Youth.  However, the museum does confess “there is no historical record or archaeological evidence to support this.”  Perhaps this “fake history” was developed in a later time period.

            DeLeon Springs was not always called DeLeon Springs – before given its current name, DeLeon Springs was known as Spring Garden.  At Spring Garden, one of the first economic growths came from producing sugar.  A man named Colonel Orlando Rees constructed, “the only water-powered sugar mill in Florida” (along with 90 slaves).  When Spring Garden began to attract tourists after the Civil War, the tourists were enticed with “a deliciously healthy combination of soda and sulfur (most likely referring to the sugar from the sugar mills).  Other original attractions to DeLeon springs, “before it got fancy” (the name of a poster that contained pictures of the Springs) include a bathhouse, a platform for diving, a swimming hole, and boating. 

            At this point in history, DeLeon Springs was a simple attraction that brought in some tourists.  Eventually, during the “Wish You Were Here” age, DeLeon springs wanted to garner even more tourists.  This is most likely where the “legend” of Ponce De Leon visiting the Springs began to be formed (as seen in old postcards and signs).  This period also introduced many unique attractions, such as Queenie, the waterskiing elephant and a high-class resort/casino. 

            The only remaining section of the DeLeon Springs Inn is the chimney, which can be seen attached to the visitor center.  Looking at this visitor center with this treasure of history attached to it brought me back to a time where swimming and birthday parties were not the only attractions that made people come to this park.  It is hard to believe the rich history that took place on these grounds, which is why we must not forget the past and do our best to help future generations understand what previous generations experienced.