When Ponce De Leon waded ashore around Easter Sunday, 1513, he quickly realized the potential for this primitive and undisturbed Eden . Dubbing the new land ìPascua de Flores,î or feast of flowers, he opened the sultry paradise to the Spanish purpose for conquest, namely, gold, God, and glory. Florida has changed with the passing centuries. The Daytona Beach area, noted for beautiful beaches, NASCAR, bike week, and the annual deluge of Spring Break adventurers, has managed to retain the history of the ancient people who lived on the land when Ponce De Leon first arrived.

In fact, De Leon Springs State Park is most likely one of the first places visited by De Leon . He stated in his journals, ìWe have ascended a large river, passing through two small rivers and three lakes, whence we came to a great boiling spring which the Indians called healing waters.î Of course, this spring greatly intrigued Ponce  De Leon since he was searching for the rumored ìFountain of Youthî. The spring bubbles from a limestone cave network deep underground and feeds into the Choctawhatchee River at a rate of 14 million gallons daily. Snorklers and scuba divers are welcome in the crystalline waters of the soda and sulphur spring. The onsite museum depicts the history of the first inhabitants and settlers in the area.

The historical traveler will also be rewarded with the remains of a sugar plantation built on the site around 1783. American artist John James Audubon visited the spring while researching his nature drawings, and certainly, there is still an abundance of animal and marine life found in the 603-acre park. Keep an eye open for the crafty alligator floating among the lily pads below the spring dam and ask for the location of several cochina Indian mounds located in the park. A unique experience awaits the morning guest at The Old Spanish Sugar Mill and Griddle located beside the spring. Visitors prepare their own pancake and egg breakfast. Each table has a built in griddle and hot coffee is plentiful. Information is available at (850) 638-6130.

A ìmust seeî attraction for anyone with an interest in Native American history is Tomoka State Park . The park is located three miles north of Ormond Beach on North Beach Street. The area was once populated by the handsome, tall, and elaborately tattooed Timucuas who lived in palisade villages. These indigenous people planted two crops of corn, pumpkins, beans, and squash each year. The forests were full of game, especially bear and deer. The Timucuas were master hunters and used bows so strong early Spanish explorers could not pull them back far enough to effectively launch an arrow. Several cochina mounds and middens are located in the park at the confluence of the Tomoka and Halifax rivers. The mounds may have been priest or chief quarters or simply retreats during tidal surges or floods. The middens were debris piles used for decades to deposit shellfish remains. While excavating the largest mound in 1882, Archeologist A. E. Douglass discovered eight stunning ceremonial axes called Banner Stones. They were deposited in the mound centuries after it was built but before the arrival of the first Spaniards.

The park also has the largest stand of old growth live oak in eastern Florida. The arching tree branches, covered with copious amounts of Spanish moss, ferns, and tropical orchids are sure to delight all guests. In addition, the Native American history on display at the park museum adds to the adventure, especially if the guest has the opportunity for camping and canoe rentals. Salt marshes flooded daily by tidal action provide a natural breeding habitat for a variety of sea life as well as over 160 species of wading birds and hawks. The canoeist may also spot the allusive manatee, Bottlenose dolphins, and, of course, alligators. For a guided tour, ask for the park manager, Benny Woodham. He can be reached at (386) 676-4075.

Not too far away is Turtle Mound, located in Canaveral National Seashore and Park. Standing over 50 feet tall and covering two acres, this Timucua Indian mound dates back to 2000 BC and is made of oyster and shellfish remains. A well-designed boardwalk allows quick access to various parts of the mound. Try this trip in the evening to catch the ocean breeze while climbing to the top for a panoramic view of the Atlantic on one side and a docile salt lagoon on the other. For additional information on the described parks try http://www.floridastateparks.org/ .

In the 1770's, an early botanist and Florida voyager, William Bartram, noted a Native American mound during his travels and stated, ìNear the path was a large artificial mound of earth, on a most charming, high situation, supposed to be the work of the ancient FloridiansÖî Today, the ancient Floridians have long-since vanished without leaving a written record, or even an oral history behind. Nevertheless, the keen and knowledgeable traveler will feel their presence while visiting the many mounds they left behind.

Happy Traveling

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me:  jones@photoandtravel.com