What we know today as Florida was originally settled by Native Americans. The tribes, most of which settled around water sources, cultivated crops and traded raw materials, finished goods and artisan goods. Florida was later "discovered" by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon during his expedition to find the legendary Fountain of Youth. It is now thought that he landed either what is present day St. Augustine, the Ponce de Leon Inlet, or Melbourne Beach on Ponce de Leon Island. Whichever location was the actual site, he named the land, which he thought to be an island, La Florida, because of the rich flora and perhaps because it was during the Easter season which was known as Pascua Florida in Spain. And while the flora, especially the Spanish Moss that drips from every tree as far as the eye can see, is striking, I was much more impressed by the fauna...
Manatees are rather large marine mammals, often called sea cows. Many people think they got this name because they are large, slow grazers that can inspire thoughts of cows floating through the water. However, the real source of this name comes from the Spanish who brought the animals over to raise and slaughter for an easy source of meat. Swimming with these big lumps of blubber it is easy to imagine why the Spanish would choose them, they don't shy away from people, but on the contrary will surface underneath unsuspecting snorkelers and rest on rocks in shallow areas where swimmers can stand in waist-deep water to scratch their algae coated skin. Really the combined size and grace of these creatures is what's truely impressive as they glide along over the sandy bottom, rolling on their backs and rocking from side to side. Even the babies are massive, the smallest one I saw was at least three feet, and solid. Their genteel nature makes them an easy prey item and an easy target for hunting, so it doesn't take much imagination to see why they are endangered. They really are impressive animals and swimming with them was one of the highlights of my stay in Florida.
The part of the state that I was in was swampy, with quite a few lakes and marshes where things like alligators could hang out. After going kayaking and walking around numerous lakes, I finally saw a small juvenile alligator, no more than three feet long in a shallow region of a small lake. They are rather skiddish and don't remain in plain sight for too long before dissappearing into the murky depths of the lake. Another resident to these types of habitats are soft-shelled turtles whose leathery shell, long neck and exaggerated nose give them a very distinctive look.So Ponce de Leon never discovered the Fountain of Youth, but what he did discover had to impress him...even just a bit.
