We took a field trip with our co-op group back in May. Our first stop was Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park where we learned all about the Florida aquifer. It dovetailed nicely with Rebecca and Kate's study of earth science this year. After studying the water cycle I set about planning a trip, and invited our friends along.
We learned about how the water moves through the layers join the Florida aquifer and where in the state that water flows out into the Gulf of Mexico and where it flows out into the Atlantic Ocean, all depending a single watershed point located just Northeast of Gainesville. We all learned a great deal about how sinkholes form, due to the way that water moves through rock, and how it impacts our water supply.
Our ranger on our tour (which you can arrange by contacting the park at least 3 weeks ahead of time), was a volunteer who was once a professor of geology at the University of Florida. He lives right next to the park and has spent several years volunteering. He was able to bring several rock samples, which especially interested Kate, as he explained the types of rocks that we were viewing and the ages of them. Some of the rock visible for example is the bedrock of the state and has been forced upward for the first time since the state began rising up out of the ocean. Other rock that is prevalent in sinkholes include limestone, which is incredibly porous and makes up a majority of the rock below the surface of Florida. Our Ranger wasn't only knowledgeable but he was incredibly patient answering many questions from our kids, and he ended up spending more than an hour with us. We highly recommend the ranger lead tours, furthermore they ask what sorts of things you are interested in and are always sure to focus on particular areas of interest.
Devil's Millhopper gets it's name from resembling the shape of an 18th century Millhopper. This was something the kids were familiar with due to Minecraft. The top is a funnel which takes in materials processes it through a box as you turn the crank and the finished product falls down below. Do to water and such being sucked in through the sinkhole and the extraordinary size of the area, early settler's postulated that it must be the Devil's Millhopper, and the name stuck.
After we finished with our tour, we set up climbing the 232 steps back to the top with haste. The kids felt like it was a race, but as for me I had to catch my breath after walking all of those without stopping. We took a few group photos from the viewing platform before walking a short ways down the trail to the bridge so that we could see where the water flows to enter the sinkhole from the North. The day that we were there it had been dry for sometime, so the waterfalls on the South side were small, and there was no standing water in the sinkhole. However it was still a very worth while experience. Ultimately we wrapped up our time here by having a picnic lunch together near the parking lot.
We would definitely recommend it, especially if you include the ranger tour. Without it I think you are missing out on a ton of what makes the area such a special geological feature. If you chose not to take a tour there is some detailed displays at the bathrooms that you can always read and explore. If you'd like to make a trip the address to the Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park is 4732 Millhopper Road, Gainesville, Florida. The park is open from 8 to sunset, every day of the week. Of course, you can always call for more information at 352-955-2008. Entrance to the Park is $4 a vehicle.
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