Visiting 5 NW Florida Springs in One Day

[@John-B69692]

Ponce De Leon is my home town 1978 - 1984-ish from 6 - 13-ish years old . I practically lived at the PDL springs during the summer months. Went to the school that is (was) about a half a mile away. I lived at the end of Jack Brown Road (named after my Paw Paw) just down the street from where you are standing (Area we called Old Town). It hasn't changed much. That brick building in the background that's coming down (10:08) was my Paw Paw's General store. I'm 51 now and this spring my family and I (my mom and brothers) are planning to come down there to spread my Dad's ashes at Morrison Springs. My dad's favorite place to go froggin' back in the day. Awesome video. Brought back a lot of good memories... Thanks.

[@gonpow]

Moved to defuniak in 1995 been in area ever aince vortec springs also in pdl is good and so is econfina well i guess thats a creek

[@terrybest8973]

I was born in Marianna Florida and live in bonifay lol about 12 miles from Vernon

[@momusmorgus]

just moved to NWFL a few years ago and have been searching for the best springs. THIS video is PERFECT!!! Its frustrating to find incomplete info online then drive hours only to be disappointed in what you find. I wento to the Morrison and Vernon holes today and couldn't be more content with what I found because of you and your boys. THANKYOU

[@jeinat.5041]

Wonderful video. I moved to nw fla from ca back in 2017. I love the southern hospitality and the beaches and springs here are beautiful hidden gems. Morrison is our go to springs. Cant wait til summer comes!

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Thanks for watching and yes, there are some beautiful gems in the panhandle of Florida. I’m glad you moved here and hope you left CA’s politics/bad ideas there 😂

[@miket3343]

Great video!!!!!!!!!! I think I will try to do this 5 springs in a day.. thanks so much!!!!!

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Awesome, have fun!

[@jeffpf38]

I can't wait to visit all of these one day! Great video, Gabe.

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Thanks for watching!

[@brannonevans3685]

Love the freshwater springs, since I Was a kid. Have snorkeled and dove many of them in Florida. Saw Hightower once, but never got a chance to snorkel it. I know its small, but I dont care. All the springs and the life that are in them fascinates me. Cant wait to snorkel Hightower and film it with my GOPRO.

[@504ever4]

Ponce De Leon Spring looks cool! I've driven that long stretch of I-10 so many times, stopped in DeFuniak Springs for food several times, but never realized that cool state park is right just a mile off the interstate! I'll definitely plan to make a stop there at one point, maybe even in a few weeks when I pass by there!

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Let me know what you think once you do.

[@brannonevans3685]

Many people downplay Ponce De Leon State Park and its little spring as to small, nothing there, etc. I challenge the ones who say that to put on a mask and snorkel and swim around. I guarantee you will find something fascinating in that small spring. Fish, turtles, plant life, etc. Just saying. I went one time when it was a little flooded, the water level was up, but the park was still open. I snorkeled the spring run, and was totally fascinated.

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Yeah it is a pretty little spring run. I like that it will never brown out due to the river being high. Thanks for watching!

[@kngbllr805]

We love all of those springs, we just discovered hightower about a month or 2 ago as well. Have y'all done Econfina since Michael?

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Hi, Thanks for watching! We have done Exonfina but it was last year. We didn’t make a video for KZbin about it as I had a lot of friends with me. Unfortunately, I have never seen it pre-hurricane Michael. I’ve only seen photos and heard that it was like paradise! I hope it regains its former beauty. Thanks again for watching! And be sure to subscribe for more videos like this.

[@keithlawson7469]

Will be visiting Ponce De Leon State Springs Park and Morrison Springs next week. Any advice?

[@oursimplestorychannel]

It should be great weather for it! Get to those places early before they get busy and bring gnat spray because the gnats are in full swing right now. Also, watermelon goes well with swimming. Enjoy!

[@flaboytrucker]

enjoyed the video i hope to visit some of the springs in this video. keep up the good work

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Thanks for watching and have fun!

[@reginesamples5624]

I loved your video, I've been wanting new adventures in the area! The view of morrison springs and hurricane Michael brought back many memories. We drove down from Pensacola for restoration work in its aftermath. Ponce de leon is a true hidden gem. If anyone is interested check out vortex springs as well!

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Thanks for watching!!

[@jamespetty9545]

We’re are going to cypress this Saturday I didn’t know about high tower springs either

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Get ready, cypress spring gonna be packed!

[@richardreeves193]

Like you I grew up and graduated high school there went to the spring about every day it was warm enough to go but there are actually 3 springs there the big one the smaller but deeper one and another that most people don’t know is there it’s not big enough to get in I remember when the state bought it and glad when they did because it was private before many good times there I last visited last year in July and planning on going back this year I live north of Tampa now

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Thanks for watching. Where are the three springs you’re describing? Is that at cypress?

[@shaybaines8483]

Nice.. I'm excited 😊

[@jennifertiitinen9006]

There are a few springs called blue springs. Which one were you referring to?

[@thedooms4476]

Hey! Loved the video of the 5 springs! We're coming to the panhandle in August and would love to visit some springs. We're coming from Minnesota. We've been down the last 4 years with our little girls. Mostly southern Florida. We're trying the panhandle this year I think! We were able to do Weeki Wachee a couple years ago and Silver Spring last year along with another little one. You mentioned in this video that there were a bunch of little secluded springs in the area. Would you be willing to share any of those locations or information with me? I know a lot of people don't like to disclose that information but that small one we visited last year was the most amazing place. We had to walk about a mile/mile and a half to it but no one was there. It was like heaven! lol I have Cypress on my list for sure if we can find kayak/canoe/sup rentals in the area. I haven't researched that much yet. But if you would be willing to share any other small springs, we would love that! Even if you just want to private message me, that would be wonderful. If not, i get that, too! Thanks for sharing your videos. =)

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Glad you liked the video! Most of the little hidden springs are on private property so I’d shy away from those. There is one that is accessible via boat on the Choctawhatchee but the locals would be upset if I shared it. It is just north of the little town of Westville. If you ask around enough in Westville (especially at boat ramps), they’ll tell you. Honestly though, Cypress Spring is my favorite. It was in the video.

[@sherryg3634]

Y'all did it. 😊👍 Enjoyed this one. I think I liked Morrison Springs and I think another one was Crystal Lake? Thank you for doing this one. Happy Spring y'all!

[@shaybaines8483]

I agree

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Hi Sherry! Glad you enjoyed it! The lake was Merrits mill pond in Marianna, Florida. Have a great spring!

[@michaelkennedy7871]

Great video Gabe…all my hangouts!

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Hey Michael, how are ya man? Why aren’t we hanging out there together??

[@GardenGateLawn]

I love the panhandle. Especially cape San blas. I wish we could relocate from Kansas City Mo. do you ever see gators or venomous snakes?

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Thanks for watching. I see some every now and then but both are very skittish of humans aren’t out to attack them. I say that but my mother in law was bitten by a moccasin (cotton mouth). She thinks she stepped on its tail. She needed lots of antivenom but survived okay.

[@GardenGateLawn]

@@oursimplestorychannel thanks for the reply.

[@carlbausemer4077]

The springs are pretty cool. You should try the Salt Spring in Fort Mccoy. The blue crabs are cool to see. I think they charge $6.50 during the week.

[@oursimplestorychannel]

I’ve never even heard of that! We will have to add it to the list! Thanks for watching.

[@shaybaines8483]

Loving it

[@chefevilee9377]

Love this video! Great job! What time of year was this shot during? I’m asking because of the one park being closed but also I don’t see a bunch of alligators around.

[@oursimplestorychannel]

It was shot in early spring. Thanks for watching!

[@laurakilmer8652]

very nice video

[@blackmonfamily1596]

I liked the last spring best! They are all beautiful tho!

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Yes indeed. The last one is pretty cool. It was one we visited on our long river trip. I think my favorite is still cypress spring (the second one). Thanks for watching!!

[@nancyrice7569]

I'm writing an educational historical fiction book for children based on a spring in Florida. It was inspired by the Windover Archeological site on the Atlantic coast near Titusville. There were ancient burials in a pond there that date to 8,000 years old, and older than the Pyramids in Egypt. They were splendidly well preserved because the Native Americans would stake the bodies down into a pond. They wrapped them in woven mortuary like burial cloths. The site has the oldest known preservation of fabrics in N. America. They were discovered in 1980 and if it had been discovered today, it's likely considered a sacred place and would probably not have happened. Oh I could go on and on about the Windover Bog People! Go check it if you're interested in archeology!

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Super interesting! Send me a copy of your book when you’re done and I will plug it in my channel for you!

[@kimdavis2508]

Have you seen any gators? I love the springs but I’m just to afraid of the gators.

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Not on this trip, no. Gators here are few and far between and what gators there are, they are scared of humans.

[@kennethlee2133]

I grew up in Vernon. I live about a mile from Hightower Springs and have property on Culpepper Lane. Morrison Springs is my favorite. Cypress Springs is to crowded now during the summer because of all the canoe rentals.

[@oursimplestorychannel]

Very cool!

[@terrybest8973]

I tied steel with Kevin Lee he was my best friend we worked in south Florida planet city together and for Vickers and patronis steel for many years I miss him already he died a while back but my brother always he was crazy but my favorite

[@kennethlee2133]

@@terrybest8973 Kevin was my older brother. He passed away about two years ago from cancer.

[@terrybest8973]

@@kennethlee2133 yes he probably told you about Mike best that's me

[@terrybest8973]

@@kennethlee2133 I didn't even know about what happened to Kevin for about 8 months then my ex wife told me he will be missed for sure

[@katjones2781]

When you invite people to come visit and live there be careful what you wish for

[@terrybest8973]

Did you ever know Michael Moore or tj Moore from over that way bud

[@oursimplestorychannel]

I think so, yes. I lived in Bonifay from 96 to 2003.

[@shaybaines8483]

Sold

[@alexeatonexploresamerica5511]

These are the kind of videos I hate I've been going to these springs for years and now there's too much trouble going to them and I don't even care to go to them anymore

[@CallJimRice]

How did you get a CSA passport?

[@oursimplestorychannel]

CSA? Confederate states of America?

[@williamzee7748]

Like most things these days you need to call ahead….come on Dad….common sense.🥴