Blue Springs Park in High Springs Florida

Yesterday, my kids, and some of our homeschool friends took a trip to Blue Springs Park. Blue Springs, is in Gilchrist County, and about 20 min from our home. It lies on the Santa Fe River, just up the road from Poe Springs that we visited last week. There is another Blue Springs in Levy County, but it is not nearly as beautiful as this one. There are actually three springs in this one park. Big Blue Springs, Little Blue Springs, and Naked Springs. They are all able to be swam in, but we steered clear of Lil Blue Springs. It looked icky. This is now my new favorite place to visit. Unfortunately it is not super affordable, like the state parks, but still a nice treat. We will be taking my fil here in just a few weeks. The kids just absolutely loved it. For the first hour we were the only ones there. Public school is back in session, that explains that, lol. Gilchrist County is actually home to 60 springs, some unnamed, and some only accessible by canoe or boat. It is amazing because Gilchrist County is the youngest county in FL, and the smallest. Below are some links to read up on the springs, and where they are located. I learned something new. I always wondered why most of the springs have such clear, and often blue waters. The limestone that forms them acts as a filter for the water as it comes into the spring. It is an amazing, and beautiful natural wonder to see. We decided next week we would go to Fanning Springs, for one last spring trip before we start back to homeschool lessons for the year.

http://www.floridasprings.org/

http://gilchristcounty.com/map/index.html

Tri County Earth's Kids Club

I found Earth's Kids quite by accident.  Then I learned you could start your own club, so I sent for info and decided to do it.  While we will continue to do 4H, Earth's Kids affords me the opportunity to learn more about nature and things that have to do with helping our environment.  4H is more agricultural than anything.  Since I have no interest in starting a new blog, all my Earth's Kids posts will be put here, on FB and on a new Yahoo group.  This will afford me the convenience of keeping track of things, plus anyone who does not have Facebook or Yahoo can still be a member and follow along.

Since we are in Gilchrist county, the group was made for the Gilchrist, Dixie and Levy county areas.  However, members can join from other counties, but of course there may be a bit of a drive to get to meetings and club events.  This is not a  homeschool group.  I can not stress that enough.  All children will be allowed to be a member, homeschooled or public schooled.  Right now we have three families already interested, plus mine of course.  A meet and greet is scheduled for July 9, 2012 at 6 PM.  The place of the meeting will be announced when we get closer, and I know how many families may be coming.  You can contact me at melissaruede@yahoo.com if you have any questions.  Listed below are the other two links to the group's pages.  Feel free to join and follow these pages as well, or just follow along here.  If you are following on this blog, you may need to type in Earth's Kids Club to find the latest updates, in the search box at the top of the blog.  I look forward to this being a great experience for my children, and any children who decide to join.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/earthskidsclub/
 http://www.facebook.com/TriCountyEarthsKidsChapter