On our last day at New Smyrna Beach, FL, our friends Bob and Dottie took us to Ponce DeLeon Springs State Park, home of one of the many natural springs in Florida. Unlike its name, Ponce DeLeon was never in this area. The name was changed from Spring Garden in the late 1880's when residents changed it to its present name to attract tourists after the Jacksonville, Tampa and Key West Railway was constructed in 1886.
The park offers a variety of activities including picnicking in any of five large pavilions, fishing, hiking on a 1/2 mile paved nature trail or the 4.5 mile Wild Persimmon trail, a little history museum, a 50 minute guided boat trip on Spring Garden Run (creek) and canoes, kayaks and paddleboats for rent to use the Run to access Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge with more than 20,000 acres of lakes, creeks and marshes.
The main attractions of the park, however, are the natural spring pool (a constant 72 d. as all natural springs in Florida) and the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant, the building across the pool on the right.
The interior of the restaurant retains some of the original sugar mill equipment. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch, but most people prefer the unlimited regular or 5 grain pancake breakfast. The tables are equipped with griddles where diners cook their own pancakes and eggs. Meats are cooked in the kitchen.
After stuffing ourselves with pancakes we walked the park learning its history and admiring the beautiful clear spring water.
Back at our friends house, we chatted while breakfast settled, them enjoyed a few games of Euchre before saying goodbye to Bob and Dottie.
Thank you friends for a wonder visit!
Moving day tomorrow.
Louise and Duane
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