Florida summers can most definitely be more than a bit on the warm side, but if you’re willing to brave the heat and get outside, you will be amazed at the wonderful places you will find. And if you look in the right places, you can even find ways to get a little break from the heat. One of those places is Manatee Springs State Park. You can hike one of the many shady, wooded trails that run through several types of habitat. The trails will give you the opportunity to see a variety of terrestrial plants and wildlife. You can also take the boardwalk that runs along the stream from the spring out to the river. From the boardwalk you can see fish, wading birds, dragonflies, snails, manatees (at the right time of year), and lots of scenic, cypress lined riverscapes like the one above. The beautiful waters of the main spring stay a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit year round and swimming is allowed, so if you get too hot while hiking it’s easy to take a refreshing dip in the cool, clear waters. All of that sounds a lot better to me than staying cooped up inside, even if there is air conditioning!