A few from Buford

[inkdiver]

Had a great dive at Buford on Saturday. It was my first time there, but definitely not my last. We encountered some freedivers toward the end of the dive, which was cool. I wish I'd had time to get more shots of them. More photos here (http://www.doncurriephotos.com/gallery/7296687_pmGbG/1/469206054_NGb4v)

http://www.doncurriephotos.com/photos/469206054_NGb4v-L.jpg

http://www.doncurriephotos.com/photos/469204433_F9G7c-L.jpg

http://www.doncurriephotos.com/photos/469222462_34gJx-L.jpg

http://www.doncurriephotos.com/photos/469222868_eDFG9-L.jpg

[sskasser]

Very nice! It is a beautiful place. Great shots, Don.

[chimie007]

You forgot to bring stages and deco bottles for the money shot ;)

Kidding aside. Sounds like a fun trip.

[scblade27]

Nice photos! We were just there 2 weeks ago with a single tank. I can't imagine hauling those big doubles through the muck.

[ffdiver5597]

I was there for my cavern class, its an awesome place to dive.

[metaldector]

Great shots. I really love Buford.

[scgibby11]

Hey,

We got lost and carried away by mosquitos last I went looking for Buford (May, last year). I know we were very close, but anyone willing to post some detailed instructions?

Scott

[jdsffa]

I have a few friends who are only cavern certified and we are looking for some caverns that might not have been effected by the high water. I was wandering how to get to Buford and if its divable right now

John

[caverkevin]

Are those free divers with Gara fins and snorkels in the pictures? Did they have any spear guns as well?

[ARY]

Beautiful pictures, thanks for posting.

[inkdiver]

I have a few friends who are only cavern certified and we are looking for some caverns that might not have been effected by the high water. I was wandering how to get to Buford and if its divable right now

John

John, it is definitely good diving there right now. You'll definitely want bug spray, but the walk through the swamp should be fine, especially if you stay to the left on the way in. As far as how to get there, it is off US19 south of Homosassa, about 15-20 minutes. You want to go into the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area. It is $3 per person at the iron ranger or you can buy a wildlife management pass at any Wal-Mart for $27 for the year. When you enter the WMA, keep going sraight. The road will split and off to the right is the local Sportsman Club. Stay to the left and then follow the road for a few miles. You will go through a section where the road gets real tight, and you can tell it would be really wet if it were raining. You'll go over a series of little wooden bridges, and by little I mean about 3-4 feet each. When you come out of this section, there will be an area to your right that will have a little space to park and a wooden fence. Park there and follow the little tram road into the woods for about 1/3-1/2 mile. The tram road will end and you will need to enter the swamp and head for the basin. There are orange ribbons tied onto the trees to mark your path to the basin. Stay to the path on the left, as the one on the right is still mucky even now. The left side it pretty much dry as a bone. Eventually, you will come through the swamp an will be treated to a beautiful basin in the middle of nowhere. If you enter the basin as far to the right as possible, you will minimize silting. Also, when you finally enter the cavern, if you float on the surface over the trees and logs until you see the opening, you will keep the cavern clear. If you walk to the edge, you will knock down a waterfall of muck that will definintely impact your view and enjoyment of the cavern.

I wheel my gear on a hand truck down the tram road and then gear up right before entering the swamp. You can walk the gear down from your vehicle, but it is a long ass walk, especially in 90+ degrees with bugs swarming.

[inkdiver]

Are those free divers with Gara fins and snorkels in the pictures? Did they have any spear guns as well?

Hahahah, it was the weirdest thing. I looked up and there they were free diving. One of my buddies thought it was sort of a hike to go free diving, until I reminded him that we had tanks strapped to our backs.

[HeloDriver]

Great job on these images. I very much like the composition and your ability to maintain sharpness.

Charles

[Ed Jackson]

My wife and I were there yesterday. The conditions are good, but the bugs were bad. The bug spray acted like salad dressing. They still swarmed us. Here is a picture my wife took.

http://www.cavediver.net/forum/gallery/showimage.php?i=8750&catid=newimages