First some background, just so you'll know who you are dealing with. I have been caving for several many years (NSS 9294) mostly up in the Virginia and West Virginia area. Several years ago I came down with a rather rare nerve disease, was retired on disability from the University of Virginia, and eventually moved down to Florida, west of Ocala. I read the Cave Diver's Forum, joined the CDS of the NSS, etc., but have never been cave diving, nor do I anticipate doing so in the future. I do, however, drive a kayak. I may not be able to walk or talk very well anymore, but I paddle pretty well.

Anyway, my mother died earlier this year, and my brother is driving up to Washington, DC to take care of the "residue" of the estate. It looks like I'll have something in the middle of 5 figures which I promised my mother I would waste on land in northern Florida. I have no investment plans for the land, and I have no need for it to produce any income whatsoever. The very features I find attractive (sinks, springs, limestone outcroppings, etc.) are the things most realtors would rather not mention, they certainly aren't the "highlights" of the property for most folks. I realize I'm no "spring chicken," either, and I have no heirs, so the property will probably end up with the NSS-CDS or something. While it would be neat to find a spring or a cave on the property, I'm not banking on it, but if it is somewhere near the junction of I-75 and I-10 folks driving here from out of town could at least park and camp, although I don't want to go into competition with campgrounds or anything. Having dealt with landowner relations for a number of years up in the Virginia area, I don't want to queer anyone's negotiations or deals by nosing around sensitive areas.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I'd hate to be sitting around and hear about the spot that really needed a friend while I went out and bought something else. Like I say, I can't talk very well so phone numbers are pretty much lost on me, as well as my participation in any negotiations is quite likely to be fruitless. Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated. I can be reached at ghekhuis@earthlink.net.