We were on our way to Ocala from Crystal River and stopped in at Rainbow River State Park. Our timing was perfect - we hit the peak of azalia season in this part of Florida. Like other Florida State Parks, this started out as a "theme park" type attraction. It was "Gaudy Florida" said the engaging volunteer we talked to. It had glass bottom boats, man made waterfalls, a skyway tram shaped like two leaves, an aviay, wild animals, etc. It fell into disuse as so many theme park properties did when the Disney empire began its growth and when I-75 took visitors away from state highways. To their enormous credit, local folks protested to save Rainbow Springs from condo development and the State of Florida purchased it, and continues to put a great deal into
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