Before we ever even left Florida last week, we stayed one night at Weeki Wachee Springs.
Weeki Wachee is a former tourist trap attraction that is now a State Park (only in Florida). It is is the one where you can see a LIVE! MERMAID! SHOW!
In the 1940s, entrepeuners developed a lot of roadside attractions as they tried to attract tourist dollars. It actually makes sense that the State has bought up some of the best ones and restored them, in order to preserve the history.
And of couse, tourism is still a huge part of Florida's economy. So the State gets some of the dollars. It doesn't feel like a State Park, but it was definitely worth the stop...
... Because I've wanted to see this show since I was about seven years old, when I lived in Eastern Washington State and Florida might as well have been Timbuktoo! We both remember reading about the live mermaids when we were little children. I'm sure it was in Life Magazine, which I used to read cover to cover as soon as it arrived in my parents' mailbox!
The mermaid tank is in a real deep-water spring and real animals live there (they get fed by the mermaids, so they arrive on time for the show).
It was hokey, but it was fun -- not as magical as it would have been if I'd seen it when I was seven, but definitely worth it.
FOR: OUR WORLD. Thank you hosts.
Loved the mermaid photos - funny you should mention, it was my Dad James Lewicki who did the mermaid painting for Life magazine, part of the American Folklore series.
Best wishes,
Lisa Lewicki Hermanson
Posted by: Lisa Hermanson | June 25, 2013 at 07:54 PM
Dearest Sallie,
I wish I could see the show; your pictures are SO beautiful♡♡♡ The mermaids look really lovely and I remember I wished to see the ocean becoming mermaid when little p;)
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid Miyako | June 21, 2013 at 05:08 AM
Fun shots. I used to want to be a mermaid.
Posted by: Carver | June 18, 2013 at 04:43 PM
Now that looks like a show I would LOVE to see. The mermaids look so "real", lol.
Posted by: kerichojoy | June 18, 2013 at 01:01 PM
I grew up going to see the mermaids there. We used to go when we came to visit my grandparents. When I was in grade school I used to tell my Mom I wanted to be a mermaid when I grew up. I used to practice holding my breath. Some things turn out for the better though.
Posted by: Dina J | June 18, 2013 at 12:15 PM
wow, how fun is that. I woudl have loved to see it. You got soem great shots too. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: NatureFootstep Photo | June 18, 2013 at 12:04 PM
Seems like a magical place for any age group - it's very purpose might be for us to enjoy the gift of wonder calling at us to believe in magic...maybe not the kind of magic we once believed in but the magic that comes from kindness, compassion, and care. It's a great reminder for us to spread just a little magic ourselves. Great post, blessings to you & have a great week!
xoxo,
Allie @ Framed by God
http://framedbygod.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Allie | June 18, 2013 at 10:56 AM
Your pics are great Sallie- glad you two stopped and enjoyed the show.
Be safe out there!
Posted by: Pam | June 18, 2013 at 05:26 AM
Hi Sallie! We drove over there a couple of years ago, but they were just closing, so we took a bunch of photos and left. I posted some of those photos on our Florida Fotos blog. It looked rather run-down and scruffy then. Better go back and see if anything has changed.
Thank you for your very kind comments and I hope that you are having a great time "on the road again."
Posted by: Lowell | June 18, 2013 at 04:24 AM
This has to be one of the strangest things I have ever seen! Its too crazy not to be wonderful!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | June 18, 2013 at 04:22 AM
I'm for anything that preserves history. It looks a pretty amazing show too.
Posted by: diane | June 18, 2013 at 01:52 AM
How original ! but I wouldn't want to do this job, being in the water the whole day, lol ! Especially I don't like to be under water !
Posted by: Gattina | June 17, 2013 at 11:38 PM
Great and cool photos!
Posted by: Birgitta | June 17, 2013 at 11:17 PM
A wonderful beginning to your trip! Enjoy yourselves.
Posted by: HAZEL UK | June 17, 2013 at 11:01 PM
I was not sure mermaids exist but now, I know it's true ! Thanks to you, Sallie !
Posted by: Annie | June 17, 2013 at 11:00 PM
Sallie was für schöne Bilder von den NIXEN :D :D
LG vom katerchen der einen schönen Tag wünscht
Posted by: Name katerchen | June 17, 2013 at 10:48 PM
Ah, so mermaids do exist?! :-)
Posted by: Lady Fi | June 17, 2013 at 08:39 PM
It's funky, yet cool.
Posted by: Gaelyn | June 17, 2013 at 08:34 PM
This is really wonderful experience.
Posted by: Rajesh | June 17, 2013 at 07:06 PM
I have always loved the idea of mermaids. I would have enjoyed this as a little girl and probably still would. Your second image with the 'mermaids' and the bubbles facilitate the fantasy!
Your trip is off to a wonderful start.
Posted by: Carletta | June 17, 2013 at 06:56 PM
You were a kid again! I never knew Mermaids have different colored fins!
Posted by: Barb | June 17, 2013 at 05:10 PM
How fun!! And what great captures for the day! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: sylviakirk | June 17, 2013 at 04:49 PM
What a great idea. Oklahoma has bought a tourist trap or two also. I think that is a good idea. I love your pics. They have a nice patina to them.
Posted by: Yogi | June 17, 2013 at 03:14 PM
too cute! somewhere in texas, they had a live mermaid show. a guy i worked with married a redheaded mermaid. :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | June 17, 2013 at 02:28 PM
Sallie, it looks like a fun tourist trap! Loved the photos, thanks for sharing. Have a happy week!
Posted by: Eileen | June 17, 2013 at 02:18 PM
Definitely a tourist trap (I would say!) but it looks to be great fun!
Posted by: Mick | June 17, 2013 at 01:40 PM
it's fun, especially if you have a little umbrella drink while you're watching that :)
Posted by: Photo Cache | June 17, 2013 at 01:39 PM
It looks like fun. I expect they can hold their breath for quite a lot longer than i ever could.
Posted by: Fun60 | June 17, 2013 at 01:29 PM
Great review!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | June 17, 2013 at 01:16 PM