Where the tannin-stained Wekiva River meets the crystal-clear Wekiwa headspring, there's a curious and visible exchange -- like strong tea infusing water. Wekiva is a Creek Indian word meaning "flowing water"; wekiwa means "spring of water."

Wekiwa Springs State Park sprawls around this area on 6,400 acres. The parkland is well suited to camping, hiking, and picnicking; the spring to swimming; and the river to canoeing and fishing. Canoe trips can range from a simple hour-long paddle around the lagoon to observe a colony of water turtles to a full-day excursion through the less-congested parts of the river that haven't changed much since the area was inhabited by the Timacuan Indians. Take I-4 Exit 94 (Longwood) and turn left on Route 434. Go 1¼ mi to Wekiwa Springs Road; turn right and go 4 1/2 mi to the entrance, on the right.