Peacock Springs: Experiencing the watery caves...

Continuing our Saturday adventure, from Troy Springs State Park, we drove to Mayo and then took Hwy 51 towards Live Oak.  On Hwy 51 we passed the sign for Peacock Springs and knew we had to explore.  Down the side road we went for several miles to the park entrance.

Interesting history... the springs were named
for Doc Peacock who homestead the area.
He had an active medical practice, raised 10 children, farmed the land
and managed to enjoy the springs.

The official name of the park is Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park, it is named after Dr. Peacock who purchased the property in the 1875.  Dr. Peacock was not only a medical doctor but a cattle rancher, farmer, and part-time pastor.  The springs that he found on the property furnished the town of Luraville with water around 1900.  

Orange Grove Springs & Picnic area
Dr. Peacock's home was near this area

Citizens of Florida are fortunate that The Nature Conservancy purchased the land to protect the stand of Florida maple found in its hardwood forest.  As with most Nature Conservancy land, it was sold to a public agency permanent management. The State of Florida acquired the land and opened Peacock Springs State Park to the public in 1993.

Maples along the nature trail

The park was later renamed to honor Wes Skiles, the late world-class explorer, diver, cinematographer and photographer.  Wes was a champion for Florida springs he...was an explorer who opened new worlds to us. He was a champion of Florida's freshwater springs. He was a dreamer who dared to dream that our springs could be saved and restored to their former glory. (http://www.karstproductions.com/)

Wes Skiles: 1958-2010
http://www.karstproductions.com/

I am always sharing wonderful facts about Florida and here is another, Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park features one of the longest underwater cave systems in the continental United States.  Just a quick glance at the following cave map lets you know it is huge.

Cave map which
greets you at the start of the nature trail

The lengthy watery trail with 33,000 feet of surveyed underwater passages attracts cave divers from all corners of the world.  As you can imagine, there are specific requirements for the cave divers to insure safety for everyone.

Trees grow just above the caves
as we wind along the nature trail

If diving is not your hobby you can still experience the caves from above by taking the 1.2 mile nature trail.  Not being a diver I found the trail fascinating with frequent kiosks explaining the cave system and rooms just below our footsteps.

One of the openings to the cave rooms below

At several locations we were able to glimpse into the water caves and imagine life below.  There are at least two areas where the earth above the cave has dropped and looks a bit like a sink hole.  However, the 'sink holes' are filled with beautiful topaz blue water that can only reflect the beauty of the cave room below.

A huge tree that stands atop
the massive cave system
Nature is truly amazing