Best place to stay in cave country while training

[gentlegiant]

Hello everyone. My first post on the new board format.

I am taking cavern and intro with Johnny Richards through Ginnie the week after Christmas and was wondering where the best place to stay would be. I am not sure what will or will not be open and what will be affordable.

Chris

[Moonfuzzy]

There are several 'inexpensive' motels in High Springs that would be convienent for you, if you are doing most of your diving at Ginnie. They aren't pretty, but I know several people who head that way when they come into town.
I believe SID likes the Cadillac motel.

[MikeH]

The High Springs Country Inn. $36 a night. Don't let anybody try to convince you to stay at the Cadillac to save a few bucks a night.

http://www.highsprings.com/cinns/

Mike

[Anonymous]

The Super8 off 75 just south of Lake City was nice. It's still fairly close to a lot of things, especially if you're going to a number of different locations.

[bubba]

Hers a link http://www.cavediver.net/archives/motels_cave_country/cave_country_motels.htm

[REastman]

One I did not see on the list posted by Bubba was Anita Berman's cottage...

http://www.diverscottage.com

One I did not see on the list posted by Bubba was Anita Berman's cottage...

http://www.diverscottage.com

Refresh that link...
http://www.cavediver.net/archives/motels_cave_country/cave_country_motels.htm
I can see it... :wink:

[Tegg]

Has anyone stayed at the Ramada on the list?

[REastman]

One I did not see on the list posted by Bubba was Anita Berman's cottage...

http://www.diverscottage.com

Refresh that link...
http://www.cavediver.net/archives/motels_cave_country/cave_country_motels.htm
I can see it... :wink:

Thanks....

Chris, I thought every new cave diver was supposed to camp at Ginnie for the first time. Just part of the experience. :-D

[gentlegiant]

I could camp out, but I figure the less I have to worry about the better. Plus with this being right after Christmas it will probably tend to be a wee bit cool in the nights and early mornings. I'll save my "being cold" time for when I am diving.

[Kane Overfield]

country inn is good and or Cindy's

[charlieo]

I stay at the houses/trailers that Cave Excursions rents. www.sidemount.com. Clean, Comfortable and convienent to cave country. You may want to contact Kathy at Dive Outpost. Also close to caves. Staying in one of Bill Rennaker's units makes the entire trip easy. Run a tab at the shop for the room, gas, stuff at the store, more stuff at the store, etc. Pay at the end of the trip. Last trip was $45.00 per night for the lodging.

[Herbie]

try the the Dive Outpost in Luraville. Sure its 50 minutes from Ginnie but you cant make all your training dives at one location so you will probally be going to Peacock or Little River also. The Outpost is a special place either way enjoy and have fun. take care. :D

[MichaelAngelo]

I have a cottage 4.5 Miles from Ginnie that I rent out to cave divers. E-mail me for details MA9001@aol.com

[Bob]

I have stayed in one of Renneker's trailers and would highly recommend them also

[seaghost]

I could camp out, but I figure the less I have to worry about the better. Plus with this being right after Christmas it will probably tend to be a wee bit cool in the nights and early mornings. I'll save my "being cold" time for when I am diving.

You're definately thinking. I did my Cavern class during November at Ginnie while doing the camping out thing. Although I love camping, the extra hassle was too much. It poured rain the second day & I was cold & wet the entire time, got a good dose of task loading (had to tear back to the campsite at lunch to rip down the tent in the pouring rain & race back, get air fills, gear up (where's my stuff? Everything was in a big wet ball in the back of my jeep) & barely ready for the final dive. I got in the water stressed, tired, hungry & cold and that's not a good way to start a dive. I was just relieved when it was all over. :smt104

[BillBowden]

I've stayed at Michael's cottage- very nice and great location. Contact MA9001@aol.com

[Trailridgefire]

Some things that are appealing are the washer/dryer and the fire pit.Good location between Branford and High Springs.E-mail Berman@alltel.net

[Me]

I like the trailers provided by Cave Excursions. I especially like having a full kitchen at my disposal. Cuts the cost of dining out. Plus there's plenty of room to hang gear and relax after diving....satellite tv too if you must.....

[resolute]

Ahhhh.... Cave Diving weekends and cheap North Florida Motels! What could be beter? :smt119

The worst one I stayed in had to be the old Steamboat inn back in the mid 1990s. Is it even still open? Just driven by a few times lately and can't tell... Don't think I'd stay there again though.. I usually rent one of the houses if I'm with some other guys or stay in Lake City or Gainesville (depending on where we are diving...) - more eating options that way..

But I have stayed in plenty of them around the usual towns (favorite in parentheses)

Lake City (Econolodge) - down and out room by the pool (back right up to the door for moving/messing with your gear)

Live Oak - Best Western - down and out rooms as well

Gainesville - Plenty of choices for down and outs!

Marianna - Comfort Inn at I-10 or the Days inn between the Millpond and Sheriffs office

High Springs (High Springs Country inn (all rooms are basically down and out..) or the lovely Cadillac (ditto..). Both choices are basically old leftover "tourist Court" motels from when people would travel to FLA on old highway 41 - but the Country Inn has been renovated since - the room I had in the Cadillac definitely had NOT been since the 1950s!!

Has anyone ever stayed at that little B&B in Mayo right across from the courthouse (I think its called the Chateau de Layfayette)? Any good?

JB

I have to agree with resolute. One of the rooms, some students were in, had roaches coming out of the wall during the day! We were afraid to see what would happen at night and we requested another room for them.

I tried to get a trailer from Cave Excursions, because they have some really nice places, but they get booked well in advanced. Make your reservations early!

Cindy’s motel was really nice when I stayed there.

Dive Outpost is also another good option. I stayed in the bunkhouse. Kathy went out of her way to welcome people and she had a nice home cooked dinner for everyone to enjoy one night.

The Johnson’s ranch is a great option (when invited). His Mom goes out of the way to help everyone out and the place gets wild on the 4th of July. Ah, the memories.

[scubasam]

Bills "rental homes" are the way to go especially if there will be more than 1 of you, last time I was there it was $45.00 / night... plus $ 10.00 per person over if you have more than 2 in the unit. :lol:

[DeepSea]

I have a cottage 4.5 Miles from Ginnie that I rent out to cave divers. E-mail me for details MA9001@aol.com

I have stayed at Michael's place and would recommend it over any of the hotels. Everything you need is there.

[DogDiver]

The very best place to stay will be Anderson House Bed & Breakfast. Under construction now. Four miles north of Branford on SR 247. 8 miles from Little Rivers, 22 miles from Ginnie and 25 miles from Peacock. Included with the B & B will be a dive shop with Nirrox and TriMix via Nuvair membrane system. Dive Lockers, Classroom, pool and hot tub... Schulded for opening Christmas of 2005...

[JP]

I liked the steamboat inn :D $5 for a bed in the bunkhouse was cheap and most of the time you were alone.

Plus if you got bored you could tell Dustin, Gene Broome said he would kick his A$> and watch him flip out!

Those were the days

[Line Squirrel]

Plus if you got bored you could tell Dustin, Gene Broome said he would kick his A$> and watch him flip out!

Those were the days

ROFLMAO - I have stayed at Dustin's in the past, been a couple years now...interesting is the word that comes to mind :wink:

Dive Outpost is my personal choice...gee...I wonder why :-D

[SLIM]

I have to say Dive Outpost. They not only have a great relaxing atomsphere but the tank monkey that was there, Opps I mean the Dive Shop Assistant was very helpfull and willing to do what ever it took to keep the place running just like Cathy. She will do almost anything unless it is a day for her to kayak then she will get it done even faster.

Mr. Mike, remember I feal for you. My season is starting up here.


SLIM

[amphipod06]

Cathy's is the place to stay in Cave Country, a place to sleep, great company and you get to meet a whole lot of interesting folks.

My 2 c's.

Celia

PS Mike, my new doubles are in and I can't wait to dive them, see you next weekend?

[Line Squirrel]

Mr. Mike, remember I feal for you. My season is starting up here.

SLIM

Hey Slim - we aren't even open yet and their coming over the fence with beach towels and suntan loation in hand, gotta keep kicking 'em out :-D

Celia - Yea!, at the park if everything goes according to plan! Looks like we are on schedual to open for the big weekend...CALL FIRST :wink:

[Starryskies]

I have to say Dive Outpost. They not only have a great relaxing atomsphere but the tank monkey that was there, Opps I mean the Dive Shop Assistant was very helpfull and willing to do what ever it took to keep the place running just like Cathy. She will do almost anything unless it is a day for her to kayak then she will get it done even faster.SLIM

Couldn't have said it better - The Dive Outpost is the place to stay - doesn't get any better than this!!

-All the comforts of home
-Great company
-Great location

p.s. Hey Mike - how's Bug?

:-)

[DeWayne]

I have to say Dive Outpost. They not only have a great relaxing atomsphere but the tank monkey that was there, Opps I mean the Dive Shop Assistant was very helpfull and willing to do what ever it took to keep the place running just like Cathy. She will do almost anything unless it is a day for her to kayak then she will get it done even faster.SLIM

Couldn't have said it better - The Dive Outpost is the place to stay - doesn't get any better than this!!

-All the comforts of home
-Great company
-Great location

p.s. Hey Mike - how's Bug?

:-)

Especially when Cathy is in a cooking mood and decides to throw an impromptu party out back 8)

[SLIM]

LOL yes how is Bug?

Starry, almost forgot to mention the great learning that can be done around the campfire to broden ones knowldege of differant languages?


LOL you get back up there soon tell everyone I said HI.

SLIM

[FW]

You could always stay at a Holiday Inn Express. When you woke up, you might *think* you were a cave diver :-)

[bullfrog]

If you stay at Cathy's you get Mike to fill your tanks. This guy is consistant. If you ask for 3300 in your tanks you get 3300. If your guage reads different, you better get it fixed.

[allcoast]

ROFLMAO - I have stayed at Dustin's in the past, been a couple years now...interesting is the word that comes to mind :wink:

Dive Outpost is my personal choice...gee...I wonder why :-D

I think I know the word!

[Line Squirrel]

Wow - talk about reviving an old thread LOL, the last post was over 5 years old :rollguy

[Slüdge]

talk about reviving an old thread

I guess this "Mike" fellow really had a reputation! :smt064

[Line Squirrel]

I know nothing :mrgreen:

[jeffersonwsm]

You got messages. JROME