Melting Away

As temperatures rise and snow and ice melt down the side of Mt. Gushmore, all that water has to go somewhere. Turns out, it's collecting in pools and gullies around the base of the mountain. Melt-Away Bay is the largest of these reservoirs, with bobbing waves created by the constant flow of fresh water down over the rocks.

Elsewhere, runoff flows into Cross Country Creek, carrying swimmers and drifters alike on a relaxing tour of the resort area. Entry points to the creek are labeled for ease of navigation, with each section named for an animal - some native Floridian and others clearly transplants happy to find wintry weather. There are the Flamingo and Manatee Landings, as well as the Bunny Landing (although that could well be "snow bunny"), but there are also landings named for Reindeer, Polar Bear, Penguin and Ice Gator.

Of course, as much as folks have happily adapted to the changing weather conditions around Blizzard Beach, there are also those who wish desperately to maintain the "status snow." This retrofitted trailer from the Sunshine State Snow Making company was established with good intentions, but just can't keep up. The new snow is melting into ice cold water before it even gets through the blower.

Sunshine State isn't the only snow-making operation. High atop the mountain, along the path to Summit Plummet, you'll find the Joe Blow Snow Co, but their luck isn't any better. It seems the only thing on ice is their business.