The Great Wekiva Plot Twist: Springs, Sunsets & Surprise Boil Notices

February 2025: Seven hours, one snake-themed rest stop, and a few minor disasters later, we rolled into Wekiva (wuh-KY-vuh) Falls RV Resort in Sorrento, Florida, expecting a tropical paradise. What we got was... well, let's just say, “adventure” is one way to describe it.

The Road to Wekiva

Our travel day started off with great excitement. Central Florida, here we come! But, like any good sitcom, the twists began rolling in fast. That morning, when we called to confirm check-in time, we learned that the 72° year-round sulfur spring - the crown jewel of Wekiva Falls - was closed due to hurricane damage from last October. No biggie, though, right? There was still a pool! Except... nope. The pool was also out of order. At this point, we should have just assumed that the water would be problematic across the board.

After several hours on the road, we took a break at Paynes Prairie Rest Stop, also known as The Snake Wall/Queen Snake Lookout (because nothing says “relaxing break” like a 325-foot slithering stone reptile). In all fairness, the view was pretty stunning - Florida’s vast prairie landscape stretching out in every direction. Little did we know that our love of water scenery was about to be seriously challenged at our destination.

Welcome to Wekiva Falls—Where the Water is a Guessing Game

We arrived, set up, and then got hit with yet another surprise: a boil water advisory due to a cracked water pipe. Perfect. So, let’s recap: No spring, no pool, and now, even the tap water required extra effort. But hey, at least our RV’s water tank was full, and we came stocked with wine, beer, and whiskey (IYKYK). Crisis averted.

Finding the Silver Linings

Once we got set up, we spent the rest of the afternoon biking around the 100-acre park, getting a lay of the land (aka, scouting out the functional amenities). The sunsets here, however? Absolutely stunning. Fiery oranges, deep purples, and golden hues over the park’s palm trees and moss-draped oaks - nature’s way of saying, “Sorry about the water issues, here’s something pretty.”

Friday Night Karaoke: “Are You a Resident?”

When life hands you sulfur-free, unheated, non-chlorinated lemons, you go to the Wekiva Falls Tiki Hut and sing your heart out. And that’s exactly what we did.

It was my first karaoke night at the park, and I went all in. After a few songs, the locals started giving me curious looks and asking, “Are you a resident here? Because we need new blood!” (Flattering? Slightly ominous? You decide.) Fortunately, we made some fast friends with fellow RVers Jackie & Bart from Missouri - thanks to their initial shout-out "Is that a Brinkley?!" when we drove past - who jumped right into the fun with us. When talking with them we hyped up our beloved Splash RV Resort so much that they made it a stop on their way home!

A Day in Sanford: Punk Rock & Baby Cuddles

Another highlight? Our day trip to Sanford, FL, where we joined our long-time friends Dan, Stacey, their daughter Lizzie, and her sweet baby Scarlett for lunch at The Station.

I first met Dan when I joined Aqua Engineering in Fort Collins in 1991, and our families quickly became inseparable. Later, Stacey became our childcare lifesaver when she watched our three boys - Logan (2 mo), Devan (4), and Cory (8) - alongside her non-sleeping, colicky newborn, Collin. Honestly, I don’t know how she survived that era without at least a personal assistant and a lifetime supply of coffee. We were heartbroken when they left Colorado for Florida to be closer to family, but getting to reunite and meet their newest addition - their grandbaby Scarlett - was beyond special.

Back to our day trip…Sanford is a charming, historic little town, so imagine our surprise when we stumbled upon a punk fest blasting just down the street. Mohawks, leather jackets, and combat boots? Not exactly what we expected in this otherwise picturesque setting, but hey - Florida keeps you on your toes.

Super Bowl Sunday

Sunday was a special treat. We headed to Dan and Stacey's in nearby Lake Mary, FL, for a Super Bowl gathering where we also hung out with Lizzie’s husband, Ramon. And while the Broncos weren’t playing, both baby Scarlett and Darren showed up decked out in their Bronco gear, proving that true fandom knows no game-day boundaries.

Final Thoughts

Wekiva Falls may not have delivered on its advertised swimming options, but it more than made up for it in friendships, music, and unforgettable sunsets. Plus, let’s be real - there’s no adventure without a few unexpected plot twists. And at least this time, the biggest inconvenience was just boiling our water and not, you know, snakes in the restrooms (knock on wood).

Until next week…

Cheers!

- Chasing 78° 🚐🚲🎤🍻🏈🌞🌴 #Chasing78 #RVLife #FullTimeRV #WekivaFalls #KaraokeNight #TravelAdventures #BoilWaterAdvisorySurvivors #AdventureSquad