"Eustis my home" a Eustis Travel Page by Michael_D

When most people think of Florida they think of Theme parks. Ive been a seasons passholder at WDW for 20 years now, but that not MY Florida. The REAL Florida can bee seen in the Ocala National Forest...its awesome!!! The big scrub of green expanses and sparkling waters of the clear springs nestled amoungst the huge trees are trully a natural wonder few people see because most people opt for Disney and the beaches.

Statistically the Ocala National Forest receives more visitors than any other national forest in the Sunshine State.

The word Ocala is thought to be a derivative of a Timucuan Indian term meaning fair land or big hammock. The Ocala`s vegetation lives up to its name. You will see towering palms, large live oaks and zillions of the scrub pines that dominate forest`s scrub oak ecosystem. The Ocala`s sand pine scrub ecosystem is the WORLDS LARGEST continuous forest of this type.

You will also see scrub palmettos>palm trees>cypress trees>turtles>alligators>deer and an abundance of birds of all types as many of them spend the winter in the sunshine state and migrate north in the spring.

The parks to see are Alexander Springs, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Clearwater Lake, Lake Dorr, Juniper Springs and Blue Springs, where it is not unusual to see 3 or 4 manatees or sea cows swimming in the warm springs during the winter months.

My favorite is Clearwater Lake. Its where I go to think/ponder far from the hustle/bustle of Orlando(muchless New York) and all you can hear is the wind in the pines.I cant help but imagine how the local indian tribes must have appreciated this area multiple hundreds of years ago. Part of the Florida trail passes through Clearwater lake area on its way toward Fairless Prairie near Gainesville.

Another favorite is Alexander Springs where the `boil` of the spring bubbles out of a cave 40 feet below you are perfectly clear water and a constant 72 degrees all year around. Silver Glen Springs is quite similar and has excellent facilities but with infinitely better snorkeling. The Springs all have excellent>bathrooms>changing areas>snackbars and a protected hiking trail with miles of marked paths with trees and vegitation noted on signs along the way with splendid views of the forest and swimming areas. I especially like to visit when the sad dimbulbs up north in Rochester NY are "enjoying" their "change of seasons" from Oct-April and are shoveling out their driveways inbetween MD visits to treat "depression" LOL

With all its natural beauty..the Ocala forest is a VT `MUST SEE!`