Things to do around Ginnie with the Family

[murfef]

Going to Ginnie and gonna have a whole day without diving with my wife and 2 kids(2&6). Wondering if there is anything other than the Springs to do that is close by. Thanks.

[WEPIV]

Your children would probably enjoy seeing the Florida Museum of Natural History on the University of Florida campus, which is about a 30 minute drive from High Springs.
There are various exhibits there including a cave you can walk into. It has always been a favorite with my children.
Also, how about canoeing down the Ichetucknee River?
There are many things to do in the Gainesville/High Springs area but the museum came to mind first with your children and the cooler temps we've been having recently.
Website: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/

[sskasser]

I like tying them to a rope and dropping them off the back of the boat while tooling down the river, just to see how many gators there are. A bonus is if they come up with fish or treasures!

You may have to use some weights on the little one though, to get the proper depth on her.

Note: This is probably why I'm not allowed around small children.


:smt081

[murfef]

Ok, thanks. The museum sounds like a great idea. I had given the canoeing thing some thought but not sure what the weather will be like.
And Shirley, your idea isn't bad either except that that could cause the wife to hate me and probably get law enforcement involved which would result in NO diving for me so I'm gonna pass on that one. LOL

[WEPIV]

I like tying them to a rope and dropping them off the back of the boat while tooling down the river, just to see how many gators there are. A bonus is if they come up with fish or treasures!

You may have to use some weights on the little one though, to get the proper depth on her.

Note: This is probably why I'm not allowed around small children.


:smt081

That reminds me of a short canoe trip we took with my in-laws on the Santa Fe River back in the mid 90's.
My son was 18 months old and even though my wife and I were watching him constantly he still managed to fall face first out of the canoe into the tannic water.
Thanks to his life vest we were able to pull him right back into the boat.
He's 15 now and a NAUI AOW diver. I guess he had the urge even then to drop into the water. He just asked me this week about diving in the Santa Fe again after it clears a bit to look for artifacts.

[murfef]

The last time I took the wife and son canoeing, he was about 3 yrs old, an enormous gator splashed into the water and started swimming toward us. My son was, shall we say, in a panic!! LOL Still trying to get him back in it. He loves the water but relates the gator to the canoe. I guess I'm lucky that he still likes the water. Might still give it a try though next weekend though.

[Slüdge]

Shirley has two adult children, right? I wonder how many she started with.

[murfef]

good question!!! Those two were the ones that were good at playing hide and seek. lmao

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Things to do around Ginnie with the Family

I think most of the locals end up marrying family, they seem to enjoy it enough.

[murfef]

sounds like fun. haha Think I'll keep my distance from the locals then. On the other hand, I should be safe, I'm not related to anyone there that I know of.

[Me]

There's also that park with a sink hole in it that is not filled with water. There are steps down into the sink hole and you can see the flora, fauna, and the stream, etc. Isn't it in Gainesville? Something or other hopper?

Rats.....old age sux.

Found it....the wonders of Google....

http://www.floridastateparks.org/devilsmillhopper/

[OFG-1]

Well, if you want to really fit in and pass for a local, several family activities come to mind, such as:

Tobacco Juice spittin contest
Meth cook off
Beer can squashin and throwing
Countin the young un's teeth
A good ol fashioned family tatooin
English Language massacrein
Bonfires, really big ones with old couches thrown in for fun
Automotive trash flingin - How far will a MickyD's cup fly?
Mail Box smashin, a good late night favorite (really good if you'enz cant find any cows to tip)
Raccoon Huntin, but you will have to borrow or rent several dogs
Mud Boggin
Deer shinin, heck don't worry if the season is over, Bambi don't know what day it is
Road Kill identification practice, my favorite

These should make your trip memorable!

[sandy]

good question!!! Those two were the ones that were good at playing hide and seek. lmao

How about hide and seek in the catacombs for something different?

[WEPIV]

There's also that park with a sink hole in it that is not filled with water. There are steps down into the sink hole and you can see the flora, fauna, and the stream, etc. Isn't it in Gainesville? Something or other hopper?

Rats.....old age sux.

Found it....the wonders of Google....

http://www.floridastateparks.org/devilsmillhopper/


I've often wondered about trying to fill the Millhopper up with water. That would make it much more interesting to many of us...

[Me]

I've often wondered about trying to fill the Millhopper up with water. That would make it much more interesting to many of us...

Very true! The time I went there I had a major head cold and couldn't clear to save my life. My buddy and I canoed that week and did the Millhopper prior to my head clearing up.

[Line Squirrel]

Your children would probably enjoy seeing the Florida Museum of Natural History on the University of Florida campus, which is about a 30 minute drive from High Springs.


Yea, lots of cool skeletons (the giant Sloth is terrific) of different critters among some other great stuff. The kids might like the butterfly atrium as well that is right next door.

[Slüdge]

Countin the young un's teeth!

Or countin' the adults' tooth.

[murfef]

how far is it from Devils Millhopper to Ginnie or the other way around?

[WEPIV]

how far is it from Devils Millhopper to Ginnie or the other way around?

For me I usually count on around 30 minutes getting from Ginnie to Gainesville depending on traffic and where in Gainesville I'm going.
Basically, you're just getting on I-75 at Alachua and heading down one to three exits depending on where you're going.
So, it's not long at all.

[murfef]

alright, these both, the museum and millhopper, sound like a good way to fill the day with the family on Friday and then its in the water on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks to everyone who responded. I'm open for any other suggestions as well. I'd rather have to many things to choose from rather than just sit around the camp site. The wife is gonna get her OW. I'm pumped. It's gonna be tough staying out of the water with the kids while she's blowing bubbles!