Exploring the World with Pokémon Go: Gemini Springs Park
I finally made it to Gemini Springs Park. There was a lot to see and do here and so made sure to get up early to make it before the sun was too intense.
Gemini Springs has a lot going on around the springs themselves. Even the entryway is pleasing to the eye. I started my journey by the entrance to show as much of the space as possible. You can see the next trail I’m planning to explore crossing a couple of times. The first is right when I started taking pictures.
The park is almost completely walkable with very little getting in the way. I stayed on the sidewalks at first to respect the green space, but there was hardly any need to do so. That green space is filled with many species of trees and plants. I don’t know most of their names, but they look cool. And that has to mean something right?
Right near the middle of the park, you can see a house designed like a barn. This is the groundkeepers house. Signs told me to stay off the property. I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t want random people running around my house either. Not sure if I would want to live around where my job is, but it does seem convenient for them.
Oak Tree Area:
The next section of Gemini Springs Park featured more open fields. Some of this land is probably used for camping. At the moment though, its empty and quiet. I almost didn’t feel like I should have been there. The only noise to disrupt complete silence was a hawk. You can see the bird in flight in one of the photos above.
The ground was a bit mushy and that deterred me from going all the way across the field. Maybe that combined with Florida’s signature heat is why there isn’t anyone else in this section of the park. So I continued past this section, and only after the fact saw the name of it: Oak Tree Area. I assume there must be some oak trees in the pictures.
The rest of this area of the park follows the main road and I loved how even the areas leading to the exit were designed with care. The next set of photos shows just how beautiful areas even rarely explored by people is.
Near the Exit:
As I continued walking around Gemini Springs Park, I realized I was heading towards the exit. Oops. This isn’t part of the park that most people go to though, so I decided since I was already here I might as well showcase it. As it turns out, such attention to care was given when designing the space that even land rarely seen on foot has a lot going for it.
I imagine that some of those fields are used for camping, but like the earlier area, the ground looks mushy right now. Not the best place to pitch a tent. I’m sure the mosquitos and other insects love it though. Perfect place for them to lay eggs. Since I didn’t want to become their next meal, I decided to stay out of the grass.
Yes I get that there is a Pokémon joke to be had about staying out of the grass. But I doubt there were any worthwhile Pokémon in those fields. Take my word for it.
Off in the distance in one of the photos you can see the exit. And right near that exit you can see the trail again. I’ll be getting plenty of pictures of that trail on one of my next adventures.
Camp Grounds:
After exploring the exit, I turned around and headed back to the center of Gemini Springs. This time I intended to check out the springs themselves. But there was plenty to see before I reached the water.
I keep mentioning camping in this post. And that is because this section of the park had tents pitched. The grass must have been less mush and more solid ground. But I couldn’t test it to find out. Plenty of signs warned that if I was not a registered camper, then I would be trespassing by entering that section of the park. I don’t like breaking laws, especially when taking pictures and documenting adventures.
Even without going to the camping grounds though I had plenty to look at. Most importantly, I found a map that outlined the different sections of the park including the ones I had already visited. Now I knew where to go and what the most important features to check out were.
The Springs:
After a lot of exploring I finally reached the springs themselves. The reason that this place is called Gemini Springs Park is because there are actually two springs here. I made sure to get pictures of both.
Plenty of walkways allowed me to check out the crystal clear water from several angles. Though unlike at some other springs I have visited in the past, I was not allowed to enter the water. I’m not sure why swimming is prohibited here, but I can come up with some guesses.
Doesn’t really matter to me though. I was happy just looking at the water and the way that nature has changed as a result of this water bursting up from below the ground. Springs are unique and create a lot of neat features wherever you might find one.
Rather than talk more about what I saw, I’ll let the pictures of the springs do the rest. I was mystified by what I saw and several times just stopped walking and looked at the springs and the water flowing from them. I advise you to do the same.
Sink Hole:
The springs were not the only place at Gemini Springs that demanded my attention though. Springs are created by forces moving under ground and there is another feature, a bit more dangerous that can appear seemingly out of nowhere by those same forces. I’m talking about sinkholes for those reading and unaware.
Many lakes in Central Florida were created initially through sinkholes forming. Maybe a long time from now, the one fenced off that I took pictures of will fill with water and become a lake as well. For now though, its a potentially dangerous feature that looks like something out of Stranger Things. Especially after I read the sign talking about the tunnels formed from Limestone under my feet.
Florida has wonderful weather when it isn’t horribly hot and humid. But we always need to remember that maybe were were not supposed to live in the middle of a swamp. These sinkholes are a constant reminder of nature and its incredibly deadly power.
Pokémon Go:
I wonder how a massive park with tons of landmarks will turn out to be in Pokémon Go? Obviously that is a rhetorical question. It was quite clear before I even came here that it would be a fantastic spot to play. I was not disappointed. Countless spawns with plenty of Pokestops to spin while exploring the park meant that I hit the jackpot at Gemini Springs on all counts.
Even the corners of the park like the exit and open fields had plenty of spawns although most of the stops and gyms were concentrated around the center where the actual springs are. But if you are looking for a place with fantastic stuff to see and do while playing Pokémon Go, look no further than Gemini Springs Park.
I hatched a Slugma from an egg and was deeply disappointed. Almost anything else from the event eggs would have been better. But there will always be more eggs to hatch and more places to explore while walking the distance needed for it.
Don’t worry, Sandile did not actually go in the water. For a Sand Croc from a desert, water in small amounts is good, but for a Ground Dark Type, water is a weakness. But no worries, my buddy is just fine and had a great time.
Here I am not boiling in the sun because I visited before it got too hot out. Naturally this ended up being a wise move. The Florida heat can get intense in the summer and even a bit dangerous. But I ended up being fine and got to explore one of the neater parks I have been to in a while. I can’t wait to see what else Volusia County has to find given how exciting Gemini Springs was.