A Tradition in the Scrub

 We kicked off our Florida trip this week with a bit of a "sightseeing first" strategy. With a full slate of meetings at UCF on Friday and the big campaign event on Saturday, we carved out Thursday to head north into the Ocala National Forest. For me, a visit to Juniper Springs is more-or-less required by tradition—it’s a place that feels like a homecoming every time I pull into the lot.

Juniper Springs Water Wheel c. 1965:
The historic CCC-built millhouse and waterwheel, which once provided electricity to the campground.

Juniper is a highlight of the historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) era, and walking through the grounds is a masterclass in 1930s rustic architecture. We spent part of the morning hiking through the woods, where the air was thick with the scent of palm and damp earth, and resurrection ferns were out in full force along the oak limbs. The centerpiece of the site remains the old millhouse and its waterwheel, which once provided the only power for the camp. Of course, despite the packed schedule ahead, I wasn't leaving without a swim. The springs stay a constant 72 degrees, and there is something uniquely centering about drifting in that crystalline water before the busy weekend begins.

The state tree of Florida, the Sabal palmetto, towers over the hammock near the spring run.

Taking advantage of the clear, spring-fed waters before heading back toward Orlando.

A quiet moment in the headsprings where the water remains a steady 72 degrees regardless of the season.

While striking, these bright red berries belong to the invasive Coral Ardisia found along the hiking trails.

A sun-drenched saw palmetto leaf showcases the iconic fan-shaped silhouette of the Florida scrub.

Vibrant resurrection ferns blanket the bark of a live oak, springing to life after the morning humidity.

Classic Florida clouds begin to tower over the pine canopy of the Ocala National Forest.

Looking back toward the millhouse from the lower bridge, showcasing the rustic stonework and the wheel in action.

Wherever your travels may lead, I hope you find a clear spring to wash away the day.

Don Bergquist - Feb 19, 2026 - Juniper Springs Recreation Area