Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Florida

One of Florida's great mysteries is its Natural Springs, located throughout the entire sunshine state in various geographical locations. Some are known for their curative healing powers. Florida's springs have long been enjoyed by locals and European tourists, with people traveling from as far away as Germany. The supposed medicinal waters are rumored to have curative powers for a host of ailments, mainly arthritis, with its high mineral content, among other bone healthy natural substances.

There are so many popular spots for natural springs, but some are in old Florida country towns that people have never heard of. These are the types of places far from Disney World, where people often ask "where's that?"

Dunnellon is one such place. This town is famous for its hard rock phosphate mines, discovered in the eighteen hundreds. But there is a wonderful natural park in Dunnellon that is a world away from the tourists.

Rainbow Springs is an aquatic preserve, located on Route-41 in Dunnellon. Enchantingly beautiful, with light cobalt blue waters mixed with green reminiscent to tropical waters in the Caribbean, the 72 degree Rainbow Springs and Rainbow River take on a mystical hue when the sunlight is at its brightest, called "the prism effect".

The park is a beautiful retreat, with some wonderful hilly walking trails, where one can get a great cardio workout climbing the peak, a waterfall, then swimming in the crystal waters. There is a grassy area as well where people play, relax and picnic and a reptile display for kids.

This spring and river has fish, and they even may have some prehistoric creatures by the name of alligators! Though they often are not found at the park location, more so down the river, there is a sign stating to beware of alligators, which most people, especially locals, who are used to sharing their environment with Florida's dangerous wildlife, tend to ignore.

When swimming in any natural waters in Florida outside of the ocean, keeping one's eyes peeled for any large, floating masses is a good idea! Often one will spot the gentle manatee, a vegetarian "sea cow," the original mermaids that weary sea men and pirates often spotted while at sea. Mainly the spring waters are so clear; one can see straight to the bottom, the water is that pure. Gators often don't attack people when there are plentiful fish, often choosing to stay as bottom feeders, but do swim at your own risk if you go.

Florida has always had and still maintains its wild edge. The general appeal of Florida throughout the centuries has been its untamed wilderness, combined with God-given natural beauty. As far back as naturalist and writer Stephen Crane, people have been exploring and searching for meaning in Florida's wild terrain.

With the never ending land booms from the early 1900's till present time, Florida's natural scenery has disappeared to such an extent that nature preserves are the main thing holding Florida's eco-system and sacred areas together, to an extent.

What is left remains untouched, and one can still find those elusive, old Florida scenic spots that make the state truly unique, and special.