Positive things that happen in Cave Country

[cerich]

This is simple...

Over the years I have had so many great and unexpected wonderful adventures and met great people in Cave Country.

Being dragged to Wayne's house for Thanksgiving Dinner one year when I was so stressed from work that that was the only time I could sneak away and get in a couple dives.

Midnight dives in Ginnie with quite a few folks over the years.

Deco at Ginnie on Spring Break

Spending half the day just meeting and chatting with people in the parking lot at Peacock

The annual party at Edd and Stacy's...and firecrackers...if you were there you remember.

Fixing somebodies wrist seal on a weekend day he blew out so he could continue diving on his dive vacation...and it keeping him dry.

The socials... the information freely shared...good and bad.

Being back on the surface after big issues on a dive...... feels so good it "almost" made the issues worth having...but I'm not that brave.

The consistently good customer service from Cave Country, Amigos's Light Monkey, Dive Rite, Cave Adventurers, Outpost and I have heard Halcyon and EE () and more

The people, let's be honest, this silly obsession of ours attracts some unique folks, it's a rich tapestry and each and every person add their own splash of color.

Spearfishing at JB


Yours?

[Sh0use]

Though I've been around the cave diving community for only ~1 year, I've had many great experiences already. Finding buddies on the fly to get in some quick dives in between semesters, sitting with Wayne for an hour while he explained how FWDC became Amigo's. Riding back to KY with a cave diver from Indiana because my buddy had something come up, allowing me to get in 8 extra dives. Diving with Bobby's wife Xenia when I needed a buddy at Twin Caves, AND allowing me test out an UWLD light. Sharing stories at Robs cottage in Marianna.
My experiences with the cave diving community have been great. This is a vital reason why Im so drawn to the sport. Everyone I've met has been very welcoming and willing to help out. I'm extremely thankful for all the buddies that took the time to dive with me, and all the knowledge they shared with me while doing so.

[twaldo]

I want to hear more about this spear fishing experience at JB?

I have had 99% positive experiences at dive sites in N Florida since moving here in 2010.

[Samantha]

The generous full cavers and CCR divers who dived to my sixth when I was at the intro level.

The numerous river cleanups Wayne runs to pick up hundreds of pounds of garbage on the Santa Fe and Ichentucknee.

The more experienced cave divers who have mentored me and answered my numerous questions about gear, training, and caves.

Online acquaintances and dive buddies who I am fortunate to call my friends.

Steve Boyer and his crew of volunteers who work their wood magic to give us equipment benches, boardwalks, changing rooms, and steps at the various dive sites.

There are much more but I am too sleepy now. Carry on with the list...








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[MarkR]

I lived in Gainesville from '87 to '97, and fell in love with the area the first time I tubed down the Ichetucknee.

Before I knew anything about cave diving, I was hanging out at Ginnie with some drunk college students (late at night) when the water started to glow from a specific area, then with sweeping beams of light from an unknown source. A few minutes later a couple divers climed the steps with steam radiating from their gear as they slowly walked to a van. The reaction of a bunch of semi-drunk college kids was priceless.

I ran a delivery route in Alacha/HS/Ft White from 94/95 and got to know a little more about the are. Just love many of the locals I got to know in that job. There used to be a general store out at 340x47 and there always seemed to be something hillarious going on there. I remember Floyd at Floyd's Gulf in Ft White would flag me down with cases of old returnable bottles Long after we stopped selling or picking up returnable glass bottles. I did not have the heart to refuse, and at some point paid him deposits out my pocket. becuase he seemed like a nice old guy. Still have a few old wood soda crates I got from him.

So many nice memories of the area. Lots has changed. This is big part why my wife and I purchased home in High Springs and will be moving there this summer.

[Pullnglide]

There are many things I can say about my positive experiences. I would say the most amazing thing is several months ago I bought 9 tanks from a gentleman in south FL. I planned on driving to get them but figured I would post here about getting them a ride a little closer to me. What ended up happening is Jeff (diveconjeff) was in the Pompano Beach area and picked them up for me and took them home with him. A couple weeks later he came up to High Springs and dropped them off at Wayne's. About a week later Eric (bamafan) then went out of his way on the way back to PCB from Tampa to pick them up from Wayne's. A few days later he brought them to the front door of my shop in PC. Neither of them would accept any compensation. It's simply amazing what some people will do for others! I have been lucky to meet some great people and dive a few places that not many people do. Eric, Oliver and Rob have been a tremendous help to me and thank you all for answering my countless questions at times! I could go on and on about my positives experiences but I'll leave it at that.

[tbone1004]

there was a thread on sb a while back that asked what your favorite thing about diving was, or why you kept at it, etc. I had three responses
I work with students because I love seeing the lightbulb go off when they are at OWT and something clicks
I ocean dive for the history of the wrecks and the beauty of the creatures around them *or taste of said creatures *
I cave dive primarily for the social aspect of it. I love bonfires at Cathy's with everyone grilling and shooting the #### after a full day of diving, I love meeting people randomly because you heard a first stage blow in the parking lot and offered them a spare regulator, dinners at HITWH and Edd's gym, laughing as Edd tries to light a bonfire with a tracer round and having to watch poor William run down and light the gas covered bonfire, all of the other smaller things that happen just make the whole experience. The diving is great don't get me wrong, but the people are just fantastic and that's what really keeps me coming back.

Thanks for posting this Chris, it's important to remember all of the good things that happen while we are going through this turmoil...

[Dsix36]

One of the biggest things that I have noticed is the never ending line of volunteers. I mean this in regards to cleanup, bench building, gear transport, dive buddies, spare parts, generous BS, and the list goes on and on and on and on and on and..............

This is reason that I volunteered to build a cart, remove a tire, dive below my level for new divers, transport gear and anything else that I can to help do my part for this great community that I am fortunate to belong to.

I have made some great friends from all over the world and look forward to many more.

PS - It didn't hurt to witness Dr. X do her Abe Davis dive in a bikini either.

[Kelly Jessop]

This is reason that I volunteered to build a cart, remove a tire, dive below my level for new divers, transport gear and anything else that I can to help do my part for this great community that I am fortunate to belong to.

You sir are a good person, thanks for what you do.

[cavewoman]

That time Sam brought me advil for the killer headache I had at work, the many customers who gave gifts to either myself or my little girl (so sweet of you all). Being asked if I wanted anything from the diner while I fill some tanks. The divers who have salvaged dives by sharing gear, tools, or parts so that the dive isn't called before it's begun (I've been happy to do the same). Meeting people from all over the globe and sharing something wonderful with them through the love of the sport. Some awesome memories! There are a lot o great people in this community.