Florida Getaways of the Day -- amNY.com

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<b>Apopka:</b> Old-fashioned water ride -- by inner tube<br>
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My mother grew up in Orlando "pre-Disney" and cherished memories of inflating tire tubes from my grandfather's Firestone store and jetting down Rock Springs in them. She described the place as secluded, unpredictable, inexpensive and pristine -- a wonderful relief from a muggy summer day.<br>
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"We didn't have water parks back then, and everybody knew about Rock Springs," she said. "But post-Disney, it's just kind of been forgotten."<br>
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Rock Springs offers my kind of admission fee: $1. Children under 6 are admitted free. There's plenty of parking, camp sites for RVs and tents, a concession stand, charcoal grills, pavilions, a playground, sand volleyball court and two miles of nature trails.<br>
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The water is cool -- almost cold. Between 68 and 72 degrees year-round, the spring is perfect for -- and often crowded -- on blazing summer days.<br>
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-- Melissa Harris, Baltimore Sun<br>
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<b>Getting There:</b> Kelly Park / Rock Springs is about a 45-minute drive from Orlando. If you're renting a vehicle, it's best to have a minivan or sport utility vehicle to accommodate rented inner tubes for the springs. Kelly Park, 400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka, FL 32712<br>
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<a href="http://www.orangecountyfl.net/dept/cesrvcs/parks/ParkDetails.asp?ParkID=22">For more information, visit Orange County's Parks and Recreation web site at www.orangecountyfl.net</a>

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Apopka: Old-fashioned water ride -- by inner tube

My mother grew up in Orlando "pre-Disney" and cherished memories of inflating tire tubes from my grandfather's Firestone store and jetting down Rock Springs in them. She described the place as secluded, unpredictable, inexpensive and pristine -- a wonderful relief from a muggy summer day.

"We didn't have water parks back then, and everybody knew about Rock Springs," she said. "But post-Disney, it's just kind of been forgotten."

Rock Springs offers my kind of admission fee: $1. Children under 6 are admitted free. There's plenty of parking, camp sites for RVs and tents, a concession stand, charcoal grills, pavilions, a playground, sand volleyball court and two miles of nature trails.

The water is cool -- almost cold. Between 68 and 72 degrees year-round, the spring is perfect for -- and often crowded -- on blazing summer days.

-- Melissa Harris, Baltimore Sun

Getting There: Kelly Park / Rock Springs is about a 45-minute drive from Orlando. If you're renting a vehicle, it's best to have a minivan or sport utility vehicle to accommodate rented inner tubes for the springs. Kelly Park, 400 E. Kelly Park Road, Apopka, FL 32712

For more information, visit Orange County's Parks and Recreation web site at www.orangecountyfl.net (PHOTO COURTESY ORANGE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION)

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