Floating down the river......yes that's the place to be on a hot summer's day in Columbia County, Florida.

Cool crystal clear spring water, eel grass, little and not so little fishes swim underneath your tube.

Tiny minnows gently nipping you as your legs dangle in the water, a family of red-eared sliders (turtles) sunning themselves on a moss draped cypress log, distant sounds of nature... Florida as it was in the beginning.

This is a place where my family has been going to for generations. I can remember when it was only known to the local folks. My grandparents would load up all us young'uns, and anyone else who would fit in my grandfather's 1956 Buick. Those were the days......

Ichetucknee Springs is now a Florida State Park and the most popular river for tubing in Florida. The fast-flowing icy water begins at the head spring of Ichetucknee and flows more than three miles to join the Santa Fe River.

The park is located on U.S. 27 North of Fort White. Enter the Ichetucknee State Park on State Road 238.

Concession and picnicking facilities are available in the park, but no food or drink are allowed on the river.

The park is open 8 a.m. until sunset. Tubing ends usually the first week in September. Then you can canoe on the river.