San Marcos, TX

A bit of fun at the former Aquarina Springs, now the Texas State University Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Sam and his family were here when he was a boy. The story goes that when they returned to the car the staff had put Aquarina Springs bumper stickers on all the cars in the parking lot. His father was livid and would not leave until they had a staff member scrape it off. I'm sure my father would have done the same.
The Meadows Center is working to get rid of the invasive species of plants brought in to make the underwater prettier during the tourist days. The water is a steady 72 degrees as is the rest of the Edwards Aquifer which feeds this spring as well as Barton Springs in Austin and Hancock Springs we swim in at home in Lampasas.
The Springs are much deeper than they look and the water bubbling up in the bottom is at a force you cannot really experience unless you are down in the water, which you're not allowed to be at this time.

this and the next few shots are inside the
public education building. Lots of school
field trips to this place. 

Really cool "sand box". As you move the sand around the changing
colors show you ho something happening in one part
of the aquifer affects the whole. Good information to
have when considering development or rerouting water. 

Our glass bottom boat. 

Note the diving pig. There were "mermaids" and a chicken
the played a little piano. 

Mountain Laurel in bloom. 

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