Blue Springs in Orange City

[DM]

Is it diveable? Anyone know?

But you can always call to make sure... (386) 775-3663

[GLM]

Dove it on Tuesday. The river is way up, but the water is clear. The flow seems a little higher.

By the way, I just wanted to say that the ranger "lady" at the front gate was one of the rudest people I have met in a long time.

[cavedivingcentral]

Dove it on Tuesday. The river is way up, but the water is clear. The flow seems a little higher.

By the way, I just wanted to say that the ranger "lady" at the front gate was one of the rudest people I have met in a long time.

Go to this link and put in a report card.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/communications/reportcards.html

This seems to be an increasing problem with the state park system. If it is bad enough a letter to your state representative wouldn't hurt.

[GLM]

I'll send a report card. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Limestone Cowboy]

Wow! Is the dive Nazi still there? My dive buddy and I used to have so many problems with her when we dove there a lot. This was the mid 90s so I'd be surprised if it was still her.

Drew

[pdoege]

Blue Springs in Orange City has long had a reputation for having terrible rangers.

I personally do not like going there as I do not wish to get a ticket.

I have seen divers get the most BS tickets. Arrgh!

I am told that not all of the rangers are bad, but will the good rangers please rein in the bad ones?

It really makes me appreciate the hard working, competent, friendly rangers at PSSP, Manatee, etc.

Peter

[pdoege]

I was kayaking there this Sunday and they were letting OW and cave divers dive.

The normal swimming platform is under water and roped off. All access is via the smaller steps close to the spring.

Quite the walk in doubles!

The water is up about 5' over normal and you cannot walk to the spring via the right bank, swimming all the way!

The water is wonderfully clear as usual and the lack of swimmers means that there is quite a bit more wildlife near the spring including 2 alligators on Sunday.

Peter

[robohips]

Remember the days when you had to set up your equipment at the gate and check to make sure you had a knife! AH those were the days. Yes it was a female type ranger back then and she was rude too! Maybe she had little Rangers? :-D

You can find some pictures that TJ took of a dive at Blue Springs this last Sunday (10/24/2004) on the Main Forum under the "weekend 'gotta get wet...anywhere...'" topic. We did a 67 minute dive to 122'. Yes, robohips was correct; we had to swim up the whole way. On a positive note, we had a better dive on the way down to the first steps with the deeper depth.

I thought your post was funny robohips, but I haven’t ever had a problem with the Rangers at Blue Springs in Orange City. They have always been nice to me. The Rangers at the State Parks help enable us to dive at some very nice locations. It’s better to have them on our (Cave Divers) side and some of them are members on this list. Please try to speak kindly about them.

Thanks Chip

[pdoege]

Were you guys with 3 girls, 1 in doubles?

I was kayaking topside when they came out of the water. What a beautiful day.

Peter

Nope, we had four guys (TJ, Dwain, Mathew and I). It's funny that you mentioned something about our dive configuration. TJ was using sidemount, Dwain was using doubles, Mathew was using a single and I had a closed circuit rebreather.

After our dive we saw a team getting ready in the parking lot. Three ladies in singles with Halcyon BCs and a guy in doubles.

Sorry we missed you. Maybe we will see you there on our next adventure.

You are very correct about the day. It was a little cool, but bright and sunny. I didn't see one cloud in the sky.

[pdoege]

Nothing quite like equipment commonality :)

Glad you had fun!

Peter

[MikeH]

Nothing quite like equipment commonality :)


They planned it that way....it was a statement against....well...you know...that group that they all look the same. :-D

Mike

[robohips]

Well I really did not mean to slam any Rangers of any system. So I apologize!! You see I to happen to be one of those Crick Dicks, or Meadow Mashers or Tree Pigs (I have been called them all) and have been for over 25 years. I have always enjoyed conversing with other Ranger type individuals. I am truly lucky to have been doing what I really enjoy for so long. With that said apologies offered.
Enjoy your next dives and if you get in trouble with a Ranger just tell them oh it's ok officer I'm with robohips!

My post really wasn't targeted at any individual, although I did mention your post. It was a general statement. The first posts about a problem with a Ranger seamed fine, but it was carrying on. I was trying to get the thread back on the main topic and away from violating rule #6 http://www.cavediver.net/misc.htm .

Thanks for your help Chip

Follow this link for a Blue Springs dive report and pictures:

http://cavediver.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?p=1306#1306