Florida Getaways of the Day

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<b>Apopka:</b> A scenic, serene canoe run

Rock Springs Run is an 8.5 mile stretch of gently flowing, clear spring water through an unspoiled Florida forest -- and it's 30 minutes out of downtown Orlando.The spring-fed stream can be canoed or kayaked in about four hours. The current is strong enough that much of that time, however, you can float and maybe just steer a little.

It's hard to say what makes the trip more special -- the abundant wildlife, which includes birds, turtles, fish and an occasional gator or otter; the forest of magnificant oaks, cypresses and ferns, or the swimming-pool-quality water that lets you see the bottom the whole way. There is something else, too: Because the stream runs through an undeveloped area, the solitude may be the best thing about it.

An outfitter -- Kings Landing -- rents canoes and picks up paddlers at the end of the run.
(Bonnie Gross)

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