Road Trip!

From time to time, we need a change of perspective to enlarge our world view. This is where our beloved road trips lead us to adventuring. When we need to shrug off our load of daily demands and simply focus on having fun, we plan a road trip.

Our recent travel took us to the 5th largest naturally occurring water spring in our state. This photo shows where the spring fount occurs, originating from large underlying geological karst formations.

In the spring, water levels in all streams and bodies of water are higher from winter melt water and spring storm run-off. The turbidity of the water is greatly increased. This is a deep spring, 100+ feet, which discharges 100 million gallons of water per day. Very impressive! We’ll go back later in the summer when the water is clear, when we can see to the bottom of the spring.

It’s a beautiful area of the state, near a large forest in what is considered a scenic belt. There’s much to explore here…. After arriving home, I discovered that another spring, also located in this same area is considered to be the largest natural spring in the country. Well – we will just have to plan another road trip to see it. lol

This particular spring has a historic drive trail in the surrounding hills to an old iron mine. This mine is the reason this spring area was originally developed. The springs and river flow powered the iron works machinery.

This spring site supports a fish hatchery. As we walked along the paths surrounding the ponds and waterways, schools of large trout followed us, waiting for us to throw food pellets to them. There is a dispenser pondside, where a 25 cent handful of pellets may be acquired. The children visiting the springs threw handful after handful to the fat fish.

Water in it’s various appearances and forms is always soothing and engaging for me, the perfect respite from a busy life. It’s an enriching creative resource that I bring home to my art making.

I love our mother earth!

Photos by Brad – 2024