2009/10 Galaxy Dive and New Year's Day Social

Printable View

08-24-2009 11:44 AM
Sludge

2009/10 Galaxy Dive and New Year's Day Social

We had so much fun July 4th we're having another social this year!

New Year's Eve is a Thursday night this year so here's the plan: meet around 6pm December 31 for a mini-cookout at the Ginnie Spring ballroom pavilion, then have a bonfire leading up to the Galaxy Dive just before midnight.

After a few hours of sleep we'll be setting up at the Little Devil pavilion for a traditional CDF Social at noon. Although the mini-cookout will be simple (hot dogs and chips) the Social Cookout will be what everyone's used to - burgers, dogs, chili, plus whatever anyone brings. We plan on doing what we did in July, asking folks to bring something if they'd like, so we won't have to charge for the cookout, and none of the CDF staff will be out much money.

Our venerable CDF Social Director (BobK) will be working with the Ginnie staff to see what kind of diving discounts we can get. If anyone wants to be involved, send a PM to him, or any moderator, and we'll put you to work.

Hopefully, with the days of the week it's falling on this year it will be our biggest social and biggest Galaxy Dive ever!
12-07-2009 04:46 PM
UCFKnightDiver

I should be there, along with some of the UCF dive club looking forward to it.
12-07-2009 04:56 PM
SuPrBuGmAn

They're having one at Jackson Blue as well.
12-07-2009 06:23 PM
mfascuba

So we start at 6:00 on New Year's Eve, then on to another social on New Year's Day? Just checking!! I'll be on the galaxy dive this year - no sitting out.

Mark
12-10-2009 06:13 PM
BobK

I have been "sentenced" to Rochester Ny for the next six months by my job. Unless someone steps up there won't be a New Years eve galaxy dive nor a New Year's day social. I won't be able to make either. I told others about this turn of events but it has not apparently been communicated to the forum.

Thanks,
12-10-2009 06:57 PM
sskasser

http://www.cavediver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12046
12-11-2009 10:21 AM
netmage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slüdge

Our venerable CDF Social Director (BobK) will be working with the Ginnie staff to see what kind of diving discounts we can get. If anyone wants to be involved, send a PM to him, or any moderator, and we'll put you to work.

Hopefully, with the days of the week it's falling on this year it will be our biggest social and biggest Galaxy Dive ever!

Russell - any word from Ginnie on discounts to sweeten participation...?
12-11-2009 03:44 PM
Sludge

Quote:

Originally Posted by netmage

Russell - any word from Ginnie on discounts to sweeten participation...?

I've been playing phone tag with Rose - I can't assume they'll give us entrance specials, but they generally have in the past. I'm supposed to call her at 10am tomorrow, but that is predicated on me actually waking up that early!

Hopefully I'll make a post tomorrow announcing tremendous values, such as "Free entry for all bald-headed cave divers with a purple stripe on their drysuits."
12-12-2009 08:19 AM
stairman

Ill see if I can squeeze in the wifes 3 mil. I got the head part covered. Other than eating why not have a volletball this year. The banner and smell of food is somewhat inviteing but for those that dont know anyone It seems somethings missing. I know the age flux may be hard to agree on music but I think as long as its not Rap or some devil screeming headbangin crap it would appear more like a party. Obviously alcohol isnt consumed much with divers in and out of the water but I believe an icebreaker or 2 is needed.
12-12-2009 11:10 AM
JerseyJersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slüdge

"Free entry for all bald-headed cave divers with a purple stripe on their drysuits."

I guess I am not going... while I dont mind painting a stripe on my drysuit.... I am not shaving my head......
12-12-2009 11:21 AM
Sludge

You'd BETTER go! You just won't get free admission.
12-12-2009 06:04 PM
BobK

Quote:

Originally Posted by sskasser

http://www.cavediver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12046

Missed that, but glad to see it. Whatever else happens, the galaxy dive must go on !

My dogs don't like snow. I keep having to push them off the porch into the street so they can take care of business. Once I get back home I'll never complain about FL cave country weather in January again !
12-18-2009 05:03 AM
FW

IMPORTANT QUESTION

Who intends to be at Ginnie for the social?

Because of the possibility that the Suwanee will flood, many people may go to Jackson Blue. There is already a social there, and the CDF is considering having one at JB as well, on the 1st.

IF enough people are interested in having a social at Ginnie, we may just have two CDF socials.
12-18-2009 07:03 AM
SuPrBuGmAn

Thatd be cool if there's one at JB, I'll be there anyway :)
12-18-2009 07:30 AM
BabyDuck

i plan on being at ginnie with larry.
12-18-2009 08:20 AM
Sludge

I woke up this morning to the sound of pouring rain here in south Georgia. I don't see how Little River and Peacock and the others can take much more. As much as I wanted to spend New Year's at Ginnie, the writing is on the wall. If I go to cave country for several days I like to spend each day at a different spot. It is my guess that Ginnie will be about the only tourist spot open after Christmas.

Which brings us to Jackson Blue. A lot of divers were already planning to be there for Edd's New Year's Eve party. He has arranged with the Jackson County Department of Parks and Recreation to extend the free diving to Friday, January 1. So about half of the CDF staff will be spending New Year's weekend at the mill pond.

More to come...
12-18-2009 04:54 PM
cuznit

I will be there fri & sat camping.
12-18-2009 05:31 PM
cavemark

I was hoping to be there with my daughters again. If there is one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FW

Who intends to be at Ginnie for the social?
12-18-2009 05:41 PM
mfascuba

I'll be at Ginnie.
12-18-2009 06:03 PM
stairman

Im going to Ginnie as well. Mark if your there and you need to buddy up we can. Jacksons nice but the road trip isnt and since Im camping too Caverns State Park will probably be full for the holiday anyway.
12-19-2009 06:05 AM
tj

Denise and I are sticking to Ginnie for the 31st... Might head over the JB on the 1st though... but I could stay around for the 1st at Ginnie too... I don't know... I'm around NFL, somewhere, from the 26th thru the 3rd.
12-20-2009 02:19 PM
BobK

For those going to Ginnie,

Someone should run the galaxy dive. If you are interested and don't know how, PM me or Russell (Sludge) and we will explain how to conduct it. It'd be a shame if no one did the galazy dive New Year's eve !!

I'm in Rochester NY for this one. I'td be a double depresser if no one did a Ginnie Galaxy dive...
12-20-2009 07:48 PM
mfascuba

I'll be there Bob - if there are no other takers I'll make up the galaxy soup this year - I watched you and got glow stuff on my hands last year - just need a spotter with a semi-accurate timer to give the signal to release it.

Mark
12-20-2009 09:36 PM
stairman

I saw how it was done but not sure how to obtain the contents in that quantity. A close out on lightsticks somewhere and a sharp knife and large ziplock should do it.
12-20-2009 09:51 PM
Sludge

Quote:

Originally Posted by stairman

A close out on lightsticks somewhere and a sharp knife and large ziplock should do it.

Don't forget the pasta strainer. Otherwise, you'll get glass in the bag.
12-20-2009 10:22 PM
mfascuba

Russell,

I caught the strainer last year - I'll make sure no glass gets into the mix. A couple questions - how many glowsticks, how far in advance can the soup be made, and what's the best point to release the soup? I can think of above the flow, next to the flow, directly in the flow, off to the side out of the flow, below it, etc... The Ginnie Cavern has a nice focused stream of water - makes for easy directions!!

Thanks,

Mark
12-20-2009 10:34 PM
Sludge

The stuff glows for about eight hours, so you can mix it up any time after supper. We used fifteen of the huge sticks, but you can use twenty to thirty normal sticks.

Go down to the grate and there's a large boulder on the floor. "Ride" it like a horse and you can use your legs to keep yourself in place. At 11:59:30 unzip the bag, hold the bottom of the bag, and let the contents spill out. It only takes a few seconds for it to envelope the whole cavern.
12-21-2009 05:54 AM
mfascuba

Thanks for the details - I'll do a Clark Griswold on the glow sticks, we'll light that sucker up. So, the Galaxy dive for New Year's Eve is officially ON for Ginnie Springs!!!

Mark
12-21-2009 06:01 AM
FW

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfascuba

Thanks for the details - I'll do a Clark Griswold on the glow sticks, we'll light that sucker up. So, the Galaxy dive for New Year's Eve is officially ON for Ginnie Springs!!!

Mark

Thanks Mark!
12-21-2009 06:30 AM
BabyDuck

i don't think we'll make the dive, but we'll be there for the social. put us down for some dessert somethings.

marci & larry
12-21-2009 07:56 AM
tj

Denise and I are there for the Galaxy dive.... all day of the 31st.... and we'll have lots of friends with us. Not sure about the next day though.
12-21-2009 03:22 PM
cavebob

Did anybody ever find anything out about discounted admisison or anything like that for this?
12-21-2009 04:22 PM
tj

No, and they wanted us to pay for the pavilion on the 1st... So its a social of sorts on the 31st finishing with the galaxy dive.
12-21-2009 05:23 PM
BobK

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfascuba

Thanks for the details - I'll do a Clark Griswold on the glow sticks, we'll light that sucker up. So, the Galaxy dive for New Year's Eve is officially ON for Ginnie Springs!!!

Mark

Thanks Mark, I'll be rooting for you, and remembering how it looks !
12-21-2009 05:25 PM
BobK

Quote:

Originally Posted by tj

No, and they wanted us to pay for the pavilion on the 1st... So its a social of sorts on the 31st finishing with the galaxy dive.

TJ, if you don't want the pavilion, I'll cancel it. Hate to pay and we didn't even use it !
12-21-2009 05:54 PM
Sludge

I'm calling Rose tomorrow to cancel it. See my other post.
12-21-2009 06:08 PM
Sludge

http://www.cavediver.net/forum/showt...6093#post96093
12-21-2009 09:39 PM
mfascuba

Quote:

Originally Posted by stairman

I saw how it was done but not sure how to obtain the contents in that quantity. A close out on lightsticks somewhere and a sharp knife and large ziplock should do it.

I had the good fortune to watch Bob and Russell assemble the soup last year - I've got a few days to think about technique in preparing the glow juice, I'm thinking garden shears to cut the glow sticks and a strainer inside a large funnel -

We'll have a good time, everybody make sure you've got a full cylinder or set of doubles for the midnight dive, and remember to turn out your lights when the "prearranged signal" is given. Not too sure what the signal will be yet, but we'll be sure to prearrange it!

Mark
12-22-2009 04:56 AM
cavemark

Wow. My girls will be disappointed:smt086, as am I. Jackson Blue is a five hour drive. Santa is coming this year, but a tent site at Ginnie and two days of diving would be over $200 for the three of us. I don't think that's worth the trip without the social. I would be willing to buy the annual pass if it included camping and would get the three of us in for the New Years dive, but that doesn't seem to be in Santa's bag.

Is there camping or a reasonable hotel close to Jackson Blue? And would my daughters (OW) be able to do the New Years Dive?
12-22-2009 05:09 AM
FW

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavemark

Wow. My girls will be disappointed:smt086, as am I. Jackson Blue is a five hour drive. Santa is coming this year, but a tent site at Ginnie and two days of diving would be over $200 for the three of us. I don't think that's worth the trip without the social. I would be willing to buy the annual pass if it included camping and would get the three of us in for the New Years dive, but that doesn't seem to be in Santa's bag.

Is there camping or a reasonable hotel close to Jackson Blue? And would my daughters (OW) be able to do the New Years Dive?

I am pretty sure Mark is running a New Years eve dive, just not a social on the 1st.
12-22-2009 10:35 AM
Sludge

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavemark

Wow. My girls will be disappointed:smt086, as am I.

Not any more than I am.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavemark

Is there camping or a reasonable hotel close to Jackson Blue? And would my daughters (OW) be able to do the New Years Dive?

Edd will be allowing us to camp on his property, free. He has several acres next to his house/shop.

Diving is free, too. If they're only open water certified I don't see any reason why they couldn't station themselves at the mouth of the JB cavern where the glow juice will be flowing out.

Call Edd at 850/482-6016 for clarification.

(Mark, if you've never dived Jackson Blue you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this disappointing situation and come up and dive my favorite cave.)
12-22-2009 04:16 PM
BobK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slüdge

(Mark, if you've never dived Jackson Blue you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this disappointing situation and come up and dive my favorite cave.)

Russell, don't be talking him out of the Ginnie Galaxy dive ! At least someone is carrying it on !
12-22-2009 07:10 PM
mfascuba

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobK

Russell, don't be talking him out of the Ginnie Galaxy dive ! At least someone is carrying it on !

Different Mark - I'm mfascuba, Galaxy Dive at Ginnie on New Year's Eve is definitely on by me. I'll be there in the afternoon, may go for a nap, then back by 9:00 or so, mix the glow soup by 11:00 or so, then in the water at quarter to Midnight.

I've dove Jackson Blue before, nice cave but the drive is a bit much for where I'm coming from. Once my house in Branford is complete (next year), it will be a do-able dive.

Mark
12-23-2009 04:43 PM
BobK

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfascuba

Different Mark - I'm mfascuba, Galaxy Dive at Ginnie on New Year's Eve is definitely on by me. I'll be there in the afternoon, may go for a nap, then back by 9:00 or so, mix the glow soup by 11:00 or so, then in the water at quarter to Midnight.

I've dove Jackson Blue before, nice cave but the drive is a bit much for where I'm coming from. Once my house in Branford is complete (next year), it will be a do-able dive.

Mark

Sorry Mark, and Mark :)

The Ginnie galaxy dive continues... Next year I'll be back.
12-23-2009 08:17 PM
tj

Mark,

Our schedule that day is similar to yours. See you there on the 31st!

tj & Denise

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfascuba

Different Mark - I'm mfascuba, Galaxy Dive at Ginnie on New Year's Eve is definitely on by me. I'll be there in the afternoon, may go for a nap, then back by 9:00 or so, mix the glow soup by 11:00 or so, then in the water at quarter to Midnight.

I've dove Jackson Blue before, nice cave but the drive is a bit much for where I'm coming from. Once my house in Branford is complete (next year), it will be a do-able dive.

Mark
12-23-2009 08:19 PM
whodunit68

I've tried to read through a little of this thread...to net it out...there IS a dive/meet at Ginnie on New Year's Eve? I'm thinking about flying down from NJ to spend New Year's Eve diving instead of up here freezing.
Is this open to anyone? Are there folks going to be there?
thanks in advance.
12-23-2009 08:26 PM
mfascuba

C'mon down - there will be folks to hang out with, folks to dive with, and a galaxy dive to ring in the new year!

Mark
12-23-2009 08:37 PM
whodunit68

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfascuba

C'mon down - there will be folks to hang out with, folks to dive with, and a galaxy dive to ring in the new year!

Mark

thanks Mark! I just might do that....I'm still trying to find a flight for tomorrow to get down there for this weekend. then I'll work on next weekend.
Steve
12-23-2009 08:50 PM
tj

RSVP....

There will be about 10 to 20 in my 'group'...
12-23-2009 09:15 PM
whodunit68

Quote:

Originally Posted by tj

RSVP....

There will be about 10 to 20 in my 'group'...

wow...the Pied Piper is a cave diver!
12-23-2009 09:21 PM
tj

Quote:

Originally Posted by whodunit68

wow...the Pied Piper is a cave diver!

I think its my wife those guys are following... not my flute.... :smt102
12-23-2009 09:30 PM
whodunit68

Quote:

Originally Posted by tj

I think its my wife those guys are following... not my flute.... :smt102

TJ, you're a real nice guy and all but all this flaunting about your flute in public...I just don't know!
12-27-2009 11:40 AM
mfascuba

OK, I cleaned out Bass Pro Shops supply of glow sticks last night - got all of the green ones (some 6", some 4"). Going shopping for a strainer and funnel today, almost ready to start the count down to the beginning of the last year of the decade!

Mark
12-27-2009 11:48 AM
Sludge

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfascuba

almost ready to start the count down to the beginning of the last year of the decade!

Finally, someone who understands fifth grade math! :rollguy
12-27-2009 09:23 PM
mfascuba

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slüdge

Finally, someone who understands fifth grade math! :rollguy

I threw that in for ya - couldn't resist. I never gave it much thought until you mentioned it here.

Mark
12-31-2009 10:00 AM
cavehunter

There are two in my group. See you tonight. Meet there at 10:45 to help with glow soup.
01-01-2010 12:15 PM
mfascuba

Happy New Year!!

Well, I'll go out on a limb and say that the Ginnie Galaxy Dive was a success by all measures. The weather was nice, no rain, and the diving in the afternoon was fantastic.

I brought my supply of glow sticks, as did several other people - we probably ended up with close to 60 cyalume sticks, which filled a 500ml water bottle about three-quarters of the way. Lights were off with everyone in place by around ten minutes to midnight, I did a hand signal for each minute of the count-down, and turned off my primary at one minute till. Pulled the bottle of glow juice out of my drysuit pocket and did the ten-second countdown by waving the bottle, then let 'er rip. This was my first Galaxy Dive, absolutely fantastic. Can't wait until next year - I'll buy them on line a month ahead, we'll see if we can fill a 2-liter soda bottle next year!

Thanks to everyone who brought glow sticks and participated in the dive - I hope you had as much fun as I did.

Happy New Year,

Mark
01-01-2010 04:05 PM
ScubaRob

How were the conditions at ginnie. I am heading up Sat.
01-03-2010 08:08 AM
BobK

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfascuba

Well, I'll go out on a limb and say that the Ginnie Galaxy Dive was a success by all measures. The weather was nice, no rain, and the diving in the afternoon was fantastic.

I brought my supply of glow sticks, as did several other people - we probably ended up with close to 60 cyalume sticks, which filled a 500ml water bottle about three-quarters of the way. Lights were off with everyone in place by around ten minutes to midnight, I did a hand signal for each minute of the count-down, and turned off my primary at one minute till. Pulled the bottle of glow juice out of my drysuit pocket and did the ten-second countdown by waving the bottle, then let 'er rip. This was my first Galaxy Dive, absolutely fantastic. Can't wait until next year - I'll buy them on line a month ahead, we'll see if we can fill a 2-liter soda bottle next year!

Thanks to everyone who brought glow sticks and participated in the dive - I hope you had as much fun as I did.

Happy New Year,

Mark

Thanks for running this Mark ! Kim and I hope to be back for next year !
01-03-2010 09:01 AM
Sludge

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobK

Kim and I hope to be back for next year !

No, you WILL be back next year. As will I!
01-03-2010 12:01 PM
SDHussey

The conditions at Ginnie were great and the Galaxy Dive was fantastic. Thanks Mark et al. for organizing a dive and New Year's celebration that we (read fiance and I) will not soon forget.

Happy New Year's!
01-03-2010 10:06 PM
mfascuba

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScubaRob

How were the conditions at ginnie. I am heading up Sat.

Conditions in the cave were great - I did a dive on New Year's Eve to the back of Mainland- it was very clear and crisp, no cloudiness, etc. The water levels are low - standing in the water you've got to just about kneel to get your wing to support the weight of your cylinders. Temperature at the surface is very cold - below freezing this morning, with a hard freeze warning for tonight. I've not checked the weather towards the end of the week though.

Happy New Year,

Mark
01-03-2010 10:54 PM
tj

http://www.divetraining.net/pictures...9/DSC05060.jpg
Devil's Ear & Eye from steps on New Year's Eve.
01-06-2010 09:45 PM
mfascuba

So one last question for the folks that were on the Galaxy Dive at Ginnie last week - I did see that someone had a camera - did any pictures or video come out? I'd love to see it if possible!!

Happy New Year,

Mark
01-06-2010 09:56 PM
Squirrel Girl

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfascuba

So one last question for the folks that were on the Galaxy Dive at Ginnie last week - I did see that someone had a camera - did any pictures or video come out? I'd love to see it if possible!!

Happy New Year,

Mark

I have a bunch of pictures of people that I have not a time to do anything with. I dumped a bunch of pictures from my whole week here:

http://www.deepcaves.net/diving/FL_D...L_Dec2009.html

But I don't have captions up or anything. Gajillions of things to do and not enough time! The people will go up sometime, I hope before too long.
01-06-2010 10:29 PM
Sludge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirrel Girl

I dumped a bunch of pictures from my whole week here:

Those white cylinders in photo #11 are Boooooooring. Thank goodness you made up for it with the last photo.

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:40 AM.