Florida is a boater’s haven as confirmed by its over 950,000 registered boats. Many Loopers stay over a month or more in southern Florida and the Keys before making their way north along the Atlantic ICW. But not many explore the wonderful small towns along the ‘Bend’ (Steinhatchee, Suwanee, Cedar Key) much less another Florida wonder, its natural springs. These areas are not exactly social meccas and most Looper boats are too big to get in and out of them comfortably. But they fit L.T. and me just fine.

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I had explored Manatee Springs in Manatee Springs State Park on the Suwanee River in early February. It’s a ‘First Magnitude’ spring meaning more than 64.6 million gallons per day – a 100 cfs flow for my western friends.

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My son Tommy (the T in L.T.) flew into Jacksonville in late March to join me for six days over spring break. I chose an up and back trip on the St. John’s River to be sure I could get him back to school on time. A local boater suggested Salt Spring as a destination/turn around point, about 80 miles upriver to Lake George and then 4 miles up Salt Springs Creek to the spring.

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Tommy, L.T. and I held our breath as we bumped across the sandbar to get into the creek and then picked our way in 2 to 8 feet of water to the spring. It was well worth the effort as a pod of manatee came to check us out as soon as we dropped anchor. They seemed most curious about L.T.’s anchor line.

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