I was watching The Travel Channel yesterday where they featured "Extreme Roadside Attractions". Yes, I tend to have a lot of time on my hands. One of the segments featured a place I'd never heard of, Weeki Wachee. This attraction features an underwater show with mermaids - so cool!These mermaids perform routines in the natural springs of this Florida location at 72 degrees some 16-20 feet below the surface. And, they do this without scuba gear. Since 1947, these mermaids have entertained some 35 million visitors daily only with the support of a hose that pumps compressed air into their lungs.
Each mermaid, before she earns her fins, has to complete rigorous training schedule for 6 months. Once she has earned her scuba certification, perfected the use of the hose and the routines, she becomes a part of this unique show. In addition, she has to learn to deal with the wildlife that also call Weeki Wachee Springs home - like fish and turtles.
Wacky! I'm definitely adding Weeki Wachee to my bucket list.
Those mermaids look pretty hot for someone that's been doing this since 1947!
ReplyDelete@ nonamedufus - LoL, it must be all that swimming around in 72 degree water, it preserves their youthful appearance.
ReplyDeleteI've been kayaking at Weeki Wachi, but have never taken in the mermaid show. It's a great place to see manatees in the wild. The water there is also home to water moccasins... as my sister kept pointing out (oh, so thoughtfully) every time my kayak would go anywhere near a leafy overhang. Thanks, bitch! Way to spoil a perfectly good kayaking outing!
ReplyDelete@ CatLadyLarew - Man-o-man, water moccasins! I grew up canoeing and fishing in Arkansas where water moccasins hang from every limb and crawl every bank making it most difficult for a pit stop. Damn snakes!
ReplyDelete>>>these mermaids have entertained some 35 million visitors daily
ReplyDeleteThat's a huge crowd to entertain every day. You would think everyone in the world must have seen them by now.
@ David - Exactly! That's why I was marveled by this roadside attraction. ;)
ReplyDeleteTheir tails look natural enough, but I never realized that mermaids wore bras in their natural habitat. Another fantasy shattered. How disappointing!
ReplyDeleteHaving lived in Florida at one time, I can testify to the validity of the show. Before Florida became home to the big "Theme Parks," its three top attractions were Cypress Gardens, Silver Springs, and this.
ReplyDelete@ Joel - I think by wearing a bra-top, it makes them less buoyant. Sorry about your fantasy.
ReplyDelete@ Skip - So did you actually attend the show or did you just see the signs from the highway? Thanks for stoppin' by today.
Yes, actually visited, and shot video there when I was working for a TV station. Thank YOU for stopping by my site!
ReplyDeleteI want to go there and live with the mermaids and the turtles. Really, I do. It sounds nice.
ReplyDelete@ Skip - Very cool! I hope to made a road trip of it one day. Hopefully, when the water moccasins aren't about.
ReplyDelete@ MikeWJ - I hope you get you wish! Maybe they can add you to the show as King Neptune!
MeMe they are very entertaining. you absolutely must go. best time is after a few tropical cocktails at the 4pm show. it's magical, trust me. I live in Tampa.
ReplyDelete@ EntrePOD - Thank you for the tip, it's always best to be prepared before attending such an event such as this. I really look forward to it. And, thanks for stopping by today.
ReplyDeleteThey could make it more interesting by release a few gators to swim as well - always fun for the kids.
ReplyDeleteNext time I'm in Florida this show is on my list. Thanks for stopping by today!
ReplyDelete@ Haley - Yeow! Now that would be interesting. I read where in Australia a swim coach used a crocodile during practice to get his team to swim faster.
ReplyDelete@ Buggys - I'm with you! I love finds like this.
I can finally make my Little Mermaid Ariel fantasy come true!
ReplyDeleteThey let you have sex in there, right?
hi, reminds me of a joke. do you like fish sticks?
ReplyDeleteI've been there as a kid. My family did a Florida road trip and stopped there and in Silver Springs where we hopped aboard the glass bottomed boat for an interesting tour. Classic 50's vacation. What fun!!!
ReplyDelete@ moooooog - Oh, sure you can. I guess you don't mind people watching.
ReplyDelete@ Nooter - Bwhahahahaha!
@ Don - Sounds like a lot of fun. What did you see while in the glass bottomed boat? Mermaids?
One thing I will admit to, howbeit secretly, having fantasies about:
ReplyDeleteActually spending time with real, honest-to-goshen mermaids--especially swimming with them underwater and trying to attempt converse with them.
THat is sooooo cool! I remember when I was a kid my older sister would tell me if I stayed in the bathtub long enough I would turn into a mermaid...
ReplyDeleteIt never worked :(
That is def. going to be on my bucket list!
It's good to see you blogging again! I am still at it, but my entries aren't nearly as frequent as they used to be. Ever since I got a job that I liked, it's harder to get material for it :P
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