Good report, David. If you weaned yourself from purchasing LED caving lights, since you say you never cave, or from driving to places to look at lights, you could afford to take dive lessons. But, that was when you still had gainful employment. Take care and keep us posted. Fritz
________________________________ From: David [mailto:dlocklea...@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 4:00 PM To: Cave Texas Subject: [Texascavers] NSS Convention - Ichetucknee River For me, the highlight of my summer vacation was floating down the Ichetucknee River in an inner tube. Jay Jorden took me on this trip. We accidentally met other cavers along the river, like Rita and Elvis from Missouri. This trip is somewhat like the San Marcos float trip. But imagine doing the San Marcos in the 1700's, when it was still pristine. The water in the Ichetucknee had a slight dark color to it, but was clear enough to see the bottom. In many spots in was several feet deep and covered with some sort of green plant growing vertical and swaying in the current. There were large fish to see. Birds like egrets were along the shore and seemed disinterested in the tubers. We heard an owl howling. Unfortunately, the weather was not ideal for tubing during most of the convention. But was great on Friday when Jay and I went. We only floated the last half of the tourist portion of the river, because we got there 20 minutes too late. The authorities confiscated my gatorade before entering the shuttle bus. I feel they should have warned us about that at the entrance to the park. You could possibly sneak a small flask of liquor if you had a fanny pack? The river was beautiful and free of signs of civilization, with only one over-head power line near the end of the trip. In my opinion, the park should set up some sort of free refreshment stands at the mid-point. Young kids could probably not go 3 1/2 hours in the hot sun without a beverage. Or did I miss a loophole in the rules?? I wish I had had my snorkeling gear. I did not find the water cold. But those that do would want some neoprene reef shoes. And maybe a neoprene shorts with a nylon shirt. If you do the trip early in the morning, the trees will hide the sun. They close the river entrance at 2:00 p.m. and the midpoint entrance at 4:00 p.m. If you can get there near the end of those times, then the evening sun will be behind the trees. I highly recommend this trip, and hope to do it again someday with my daughter. I heard Ginnie Springs had a similar float trip that was just as nice. I would like to return someday and do more float trips. I would like to learn how to dive, so I could at least check out the twilight zones of these caves. But that is an expensive hobby, and I have other priorities right now. David Locklear
