Enthusiasts create Facebook page for sharing Florida spring images and knowledge

Photo courtesy TRAVIS MARQUES/Special to Alachua County Today

Left to right, Jhwum Ki-ak, Joe Cruz and Travis Marques go on the hunt for springs tucked away in Florida. They founded a Facebook page called “Spring Hunters” where spring enthusiasts could share information about and post images taken at springs throughout Florida.

 

By TRAVIS MARQUES
Special to Alachua County Today

FLORIDA – One day, not long ago, two springs enthusiasts started to notice each other’s photographs of Florida’s springs on different Facebook photography and nature pages. One would “like” the other’s photograph, and the other would “comment” on the other’s post.

When the two saw that they both had the “Springs Spirit,” that’s where it all began.
Not long after, the two met up to go and explore. Myself, I was accompanied by my significant other, Angel Hall, and Baby Jackson. Joe Cruz was traveling solo. Our first meeting was to go and explore or “hunt” a beautiful, little spring seep that I knew of in the Ocala National Forest known as Mormon Branch. Joe, Angel, Baby Jackson, and myself, trudged the clear shallow run as far upstream as we could go before the creek became impassable. Once the sun started to set, we parted ways.
Our next meeting was in Enterprise at the Enterprise Heritage Center. Rick Kilby was giving a presentation on “Florida’s Fountains of Youth.”
I knew Rick, like myself, had a love for Old Florida. I thought that since we had been communicating via social media, this would be a good opportunity for us all to meet and while we were at it, to go and see an “old Florida spring.” This time, it was Joe’s turn to show us the way. After Rick’s presentation, Rick, Phil Eschbach, Angel, and myself drove to Green Springs.
We parked and made the trek to the hidden, tucked away Enterprise Spring. Somewhere along the journey, Phil coined the term “Spring Hunters”. So we were born.
Soon after, Joe started this page. At first, we weren’t sure if people would “get it”. It didn’t take long before we found out that we shared a common outlook and love for the springs that so many others felt and could relate to.
Early on, Jhwum Ki-ak blessed us with the holy grail of interactive springs maps. I remember the first time that I saw it! He shared it to my Florida’s Hidden Gems page.
I almost wanted to keep the wonderful tool for myself in fear that it may fall into the wrong hands. However, it has since become my favorite springs exploration tool, right along with my GPS, machete, snorkel and mask, snake boots, and of course, my camera.
It is an automatic reference that I like to provide when people ask about springs locations. The map is updated by Jhwum periodically as new springs or seeps are “discovered”.
As the page started to grow, we decided to take on another administrator. John Starrett was sharing some amazing underwater images of lesser known springs up in the north western part of the state.
He displayed the same spirit of exploration of forgotten Florida that we could relate to. Being from the panhandle, he became our link to the far end of our state. He was the perfect candidate.
The page continues to grow... We want to thank you all for all of your support, contributions, and questions.
I want to give a special thanks to Rick Kilby for designing, donating, and allowing us to use the logo that we have.