Crystal River 2004

Well were back safe and sound from a fun filled "HOLIDAY WEEKEND" to the Florida Springs.  And while I'd be lying if I said the weekend was spent in Sunny Clear Weather.  I can honestly say that the great group of divers   we had on this trip and the diving more then made up for a little inclement weather.

We left not to bright and early Friday Morning (Feb 13) for a non-eventful 13 hour drive to Crystal River, Florida where we were going to start our weekend of diving the next morning.

Saturday Morning arrived and the weather was a little cool and overcast but we were waiting for the Sun to show at any minute (It didn't).  Crystal River 04 003.jpg (1273471 bytes)  We meet the rest of our fellow divers at the marina and while they were started setting up, Crystal River 04 007.jpg (1446765 bytes) I went to find our pontoon boat (naturally it was the one docked farthest away from the parking lot Crystal River 04 011.jpg (1493338 bytes) ).  With the theme song from Gilligans Island running through everyone's mind and me at the helm  Crystal River 04 029.jpg (1104558 bytes) we left the dock headed for our first dive "King's Spring".  There were a few  divers and boats already there (after all it was a Holiday Weekend), but we just picked a spot for the S.S. Discovery Diving amongst all the other pontoon boats Crystal River 04 016.jpg (1276436 bytes) and made anchor.  While Lee worked with his Open Water students the rest of us made our our way over to the Spring Opening.  It was hard to make out the opening for all the fish Crystal River 04 020.jpg (1042340 bytes) but once inside it opened right up.  With the lack of sunshine and all the other divers the visibility was a little off, but everyone had a chance to adjust their weights for the fresh water.  After finishing up at King's Spring we headed for another dive and looking for Manatees as well (this is usually when I'm hoping I'm not going to have to pull out my Manatee costume and that we'll actually come across some real Manatees).  Sure enough we came across several Manatees Crystal River 04 032.jpg (1266356 bytes) and spent quite a bit of time snorkeling with them.  We got to see a baby nursing off of it's Mom Crystal River 04 036.jpg (1037433 bytes), that was pretty neat.  We were able to spend enough time with the Manatees that we didn't have time for another dive, so we headed back for the docks and this is when the sky opened up Crystal River 04 031.jpg (1292367 bytes) (oh yea we're having fun now).

We loaded up Crystal River 04 042.jpg (1493164 bytes) and headed for our next destination a Drift Dive at Rainbow River.  Upon arriving at Rainbow River we got on another Pontoon Boat Crystal River 04 047.jpg (1413985 bytes) for the short ride up river to the entry point.  The dive was pretty neat Crystal River 04 051.jpg (1105457 bytes), once again slightly affected by the lack Sunshine (but we were waiting for the Sun to show at any minute).  We came across several Alligator ---- Garr (a couple pretty good sized ones), some baby snapping turtles and along the bottom you could make out where some of the Springs were bubbling up through the sand Crystal River 04 056.jpg (1337502 bytes).  All and all the dive lasted about an hour.

The next morning, Sunday we awoke to a slightly overcast sky (but still waiting for the Sun to come out).  We checked out of the hotel and headed up the road to Devil's Den , where we would do our first dive of the day.  When we got to Devil's Den wouldn't you know it but the Sun actually did come out Crystal River 04 058.jpg (1407960 bytes).  There are two sites to dive at Devil's Den, the "Den" Crystal River 04 060.jpg (1487743 bytes) and the "Pond" Crystal River 04 062.jpg (1413353 bytes).  The Pond is a giant man made dive site that was filled with Spring Water, unfortunately the great visibility found in most springs can not be found in the Pond.  This being the case we dove the "Den", entry to this Spring is made walking down a flight of stairs with your gear on Crystal River 04 061.jpg (1461757 bytes).  At the foot of the stairs is a huge open Cavern and the Spring.  Lee finished up his students here and everyone else enjoyed a really unique dive with some good sized Catfish.

After finishing up at Devil's Den and saying bye to the Open Water students (they had to be back in Beaufort Monday Morning for class at the Duke Marine Lab), we headed for our final dive destination, Ginnie Springs.

Our first dives at Ginnie Springs were done at Little Spring, Devil's Eye and Devil's Ear Crystal River 04 074.jpg (1469660 bytes).  These three Springs are real close to each other and a simple swim.  If you weren't Cave certified you weren't allowed to take a light with you but with the Sun being out visibility was still pretty good Crystal River 04 084.jpg (1484954 bytes).  They have sign to remind of how dangerous cave diving can actually be Crystal River 04 088.jpg (1414296 bytes).  After we were done here we loaded up for quick ride back up to another Spring also located within the Ginnie Springs Park Crystal River 04 075.jpg (1386226 bytes).  This site featured a really neat overhead environment Crystal River 04 089.jpg (1475517 bytes).  They do allow you to dive with a light here and it's a pretty neat dive.

After finishing up here we loaded back into the van for the ride back up to Jacksonville Florida where we spent Sunday night and then on home Monday.

I want to thank everyone that went along and to remind them that even though it was a "Holiday Weekend the Sun finally did come out".  If you didn't make it this year hopefully you'll be able to join next year.

Bill

Click here for all the pictures from this great trip.