Being smack dab right in the middle of Gainesville, it can be pretty annoying to try to plan a beach trip. What is a poor soul to do when they want to plaster on the sun screen and get toasty by the water? Run through a nearby sprinkler? Buy their own kiddie pool? Dump a bucket of water on their head? No, they get their butt right on over to Ginnie Springs.
There are lots of perks to the cool 72-degree waters of the springs, but there are also some…small downfalls to the vacation spot as well. Before you pack up your swim trunks and Coronas, take a minute to go over this list so that you are not surprised by what you may find at this seemingly perfect paradise.
You can tan
Pro: For those of you out there who actually want to get a little color, trust me, you will find plenty of sun at any of the camping spots or along the seven separate springs. If you want to make sure the sun really reaches every inch of you, be sure to stop by the spring during the summer months.
Con: If you don’t 100 percent love being out in the sun for hours, let me tell you now, being out there can be like being placed in a microwave or an oven for about two hours. It feels like the sun directed every ray it could right on that one spot on the Earth. If you didn’t have skin cancer before, after your visit I can assure you, you will.
You can explore the waters with scuba gear
Pro: Not only is there swimming and river tubing at the springs, but there is also snorkeling and diving available. Ginnie Springs has several grottos, underwater caves and caverns and they are open to the public to explore.
Con: God forbid you drop of lose anything, just losing a snorkel will cost you about $50 right on the spot. If you can’t provide that, I don’t know what they’ll do you do to you…
The waters are cool and relaxing
Pro: After being manhandled by the rays of the sun, it’s really nice to dip into the waters and be able to cool off. The water at Ginnie Spring is 72-degrees 24/7, so you can always rely on the water to freshen you up.
Con: 72-degrees sounds cool and it is…after you have been in the water for about 20 minutes. However, that first dip into the springs leaves you feeling like a victim of the Titanic, floating around an iceberg.
You can take long walks before you get to the springs
Pro: For those of you who love nature walks, if you have to park your car far from the entrance to the springs, you can enjoy a nice, quiet walk along the water. The scenery of bright green shrubs and tall trees is quite picturesque and looks like it was ripped right from the pages of a fairytale.
Con: If you left your shoes in the car, prepare to walk on sharp pebbles and rocks on your quest to the river. To give you an honest and accurate description, it feels like you are stepping on kitchen knives, blades and swords.
It can be a great date spot
Pro: It’s a unique and really cool place to take someone if you want to actually spend time with them. I promise, it won’t be like the same old dinner and movie deal. You can spend the day swimming and snorkeling together and end the day cooking burgers and hotdogs on the grill where things will get real dirty -- with the barbecue sauce I mean.
Con: Not only will you think it’s great place to spend time with your date, but so do all the animals there too. Dragon lies buzz around all day and every time you turn around a pair of the them is having sex right on you while turtles lie along the river getting real freak nasty. It’s an animal orgy out there.
All in all, it is a super fun place; just don’t be surprised by the…extras…that the brochure did not tell you about.
