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Directions
¾ mile downstream from Poe Springs and ½ mile upstream of Rum Island Springs on the Gilchrist (south) side of the river. A large sign on a tree at the mouth of the spring run says, "Lily Springs." Directions to ramp at Poe Springs: From High Springs, drive south on US 41/27 about one mile. Turn west (right) onto State Road 340 (Poe Springs Road) and proceed about 2.5 miles to entrance to Poe Springs County Park. Directions to ramp at Rum Island: From High Springs, drive NW on US 27/SR20 about four miles. Turn left (west) onto State Road 138 and drive about two miles to turnoff to the left (south) at sign for Rum Island. Follow dirt road about 1.5 miles to river and ramp.For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address: http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida
Spring Description
Lily is a compact spring complex of 5-7 springs, depending on how they are counted. The springs lie at the head of a winding and canopied 175-foot run that is 20-30 feet wide and 3-8 feet deep. The spring pool is oval and about 100 by 50 feet. The springs lie throughout the pool. One is under a cypress tree on the SE end of the pool, forming a fissure beneath the south bank with several vents. Several of the vents are likely connected to a single flow source due to their proximity to each other. Another limestone opening is just in front of the private wooden dock in the center of the pool. Two more vents are beyond the dock in the basin, including one near a small shore area at the west end of the pool. In times of normal water levels, depths in the pool range from 4’-10’. Banks about the pool are a few feet above the water. The water is clear, and boils are evident. Fish, crawfish, and turtles are evident in the spring and spring pool. The water over the vents can be blue or green depending on conditions.Use/Access
Local SpringianaThe spring may be accessed freely from the river, and the area forms an attractive swimming hole. The land around the pool is privately owned and is used as a primitive camping area. The run forms a peninsula between the spring and the river on the north side, and on this peninsula is a hut on stilts occupied the caretaker of the property. With permission, visitors may beach canoes, camp, and have a look at the hut. It is possible to swim through a short tunnel along the vent by the south bank of the spring pool.
Lily is home to Ed the Hermit. Since 1984, he has served as caretaker of the spring. He built the wood and palmetto hut, which has 200 square feet of interior space, by hand. He lives in the hut year round, covered only in a loincloth and heavy beard. The hut has no electricity or running water.Ed responds to courteous visitors in kind, engaging in conversation and inviting them to dive from his dock and inspect his abode. Signs tacked onto trees in the run, including "Man is the most dangerous animal," and "Unattended children will be fed to alligators," suggest an interest in conservation and add to the ambiance of the place.
Ed's hut sits on stilts about 6 feet or so above the ground, facing toward the spring. The sides and roof are thatched with palm fronds. In front is a porch from which Ed can survey his spring and the canoeists who paddle in. Ed relates that the spring area was trashed when he moved in, but he has transformed it into something out of Swiss Family Robinson.
In a 1999 visit, RB observed a pile of large animal bones by a tree near the porch. A nearby skull looked too big to be human and was perhaps from a gorilla or other large ape. The polite visitor does not ask too many questions.
Personal Impressions
RB felt somewhat envious of Ed and his little paradise. It also occurred to RB that in spite of Ed’s being a "hermit," he might actually talk to more people than most of us.Nearby Springs
Other Nearby Natural FeaturesColumbia Spring, COL428981, Allen Spring, Poe Springs, Darby Spring, Hornsby Spring, Santa Fe Spring, ALA930971, COL930971, Pickard Spring, COL101971, Jonathan Spring, Rum Island Springs, GIL101971, Blue Springs, Little Blue Springs, Naked Spring, Johnson Spring, Ginnie Springs Group Ichetucknee Springs State Park O’Leno State Park San Felasco Hammock State Preserve Devil’s Millhopper State Geologic Site River Rise State Preserve Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park