By Jim Watkins
We had a wonderful outing today in the warm springs south of Sarasota. The day was a warm summer day and we traveled down across the Skyway Bridge. Then past Sarasota to North Port, our travel destination was a warm spring / spa just north of North Port on US highway 41.
The unimpressive entry building was a single story entryway to a very relaxing spring fed lake. This building houses the Spa and a little restaurant that seemed to specialize in European foods and home made soups. Borsch and perogies were featured items the day we were there.
The grounds were well kept and full of flowers, bushes and trees all pleasingly landscaped. There were plenty of chairs to sit in, if you did not want to stretch out on a towel or blanket on the manicured lawn. There was a choice of full sun for the sun worshipers or shade for those not ready for the full suns rays. Shade was supplied with either a thatched hut or natural shade from oak trees or a grove of Sable Palms. The Oaks were old trees that have low slung branches, some covered with resurrection ferns
The lake was a spring fed sinkhole that emptied into a small rivulet running off site. The water was perfect for a summer’s afternoon, 87 degrees year round. It was not too hot, nor too cool. The water was full of minerals that are said to have healing powers. The locals had a system where they waded out into the water and then walked around the lake. The adventurous deep and the relaxing group drifting in the shallows. Some were intent on exercise while others were spending time chatting with new and old friends. There was an area sectioned off with shallow water for the children to play in. There were several wheel chair entry ways into the lake as well. The springs are well equipped to handle everyone from the most energetic to the mobility challenged people.
Even in the heat of summer there were wildlife walking around seemingly without fear of humans. I managed to get close to a Tricolored Heron as he was chasing minnows. I imagine that in the winter this would be an area packed with many different types of migratory birds Fancy tailed Mollies swum with us as we made our way local style around the lake. I saw a soft shelled turtle scurry along the bottom of the rivulet, off on his own mysterious business.
The geology of the springs is fascinating and extends from prehistory to present with the spring as the center point. From toe deep to over 200 feet deep in the deepest of the spring, there is much to enjoy and explore here. Even the patterns in the rocks are curious enough to be interesting.
If you live near North Port, or have a good excuse to travel nearby, I recommend you check out these warm springs. We enjoyed our day.
