you'll feel better

that's the motto of the Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, Florida

thought to be the Fountain of Youth found by Ponce de Leon in 1521

(1521 - wow, no screens or air conditioners....

tough time to be in Florida)

this is an aerial view several years ago

the springs is essentially a cenote, a deep limestone collapsed cave

"During the ice age, Warm Mineral Springs was an underground cave with a lake at the bottom. As glaciers receded and the ice caps melted, the water level rose. Eventually the ground over the cave collapsed, exposing the lake. Over the years, divers exploring this sinkhole have discovered 11,000-year-old remains of prehistoric hunters, saber tooth tigers, a giant sloth, and camels, proving that the cave was once above water. Today the spring is an hourglass shaped geological feature that is 230 feet deep. More than nine million gallons of warm water flow into the springs each day from a 3000-foot deep aquifer, keeping the water a constant 87 degrees year round."

Read more: http://attractions.uptake.com/blog/warm-mineral-springs-north-port-florida-2447.html#ixzz1eDWBk95k

the springs boast

and

it is also the largest warm mineral spring in the world

wow and only 12 miles from our house

we have lived here 2 years

we heard about it, but it cost $20. bucks each and we thought well....how good can it be

so on Groupon I found a deal, 2 for lunch and swim for $35.

that made it worth trying

at first when we got there it seemed kind of cheesy

lots of old people speaking some eastern European language

then we got in

it was cold at first but then we got use to it pretty quick

clean, clear water with a nice sandy bottom

there was a slight current that went around clockwise

we floated around for an hour then had lunch

it was a great natural food restaurant

everything was organic and fresh

it was lovely sitting on the deck, eating and watching the springs

 oh by the way, the fountain of youth did de Leon no good though

he was attacked by natives and died of his wounds a few months later

William did find a large petrified bone in the shallows, maybe it was his..........

 after lunch some lawn chair lounging

and we went back in for a couple more hours of leisurely floating

 I can't wait to go back

and you know what - I do feel better