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Once or twice each year, we venture south to conduct check-out dives in the crystal clear waters of the Florida springs. Check back here for the details of any forthcoming trips:
Price includes: 3-Nights Lodging KNIGHTS INN (Note: Double Occupancy, We will be staying Fri., Sat., and Sun. Nights, Motel has complimentary Continental Breakfast available each morning.), Admission Fees into both of the three dive sites, Sales Tax. (Also, BCD, REG SETS, Weight Belt/Weights, and 2 filled tanks are included for any student doing check-out dives to complete O/W Certification.) Not Included: Meals (Except for Continental Breakfasts), travel expenses, Rental Gear (If needed (Wet Suits?), additional Air Fills, and incidental expenses, such as souvenirs, etc. (What to Bring): In addition to the normal items required for any trip, be sure to pack the following:
· Dive Gear: · Personal Snorkeling System (Mask, Fins, Booties and Snorkel) · Your SSI Total Dive Log System · Underwater Communication Slate and Timing Device · Gear Bag Containing Buoyancy Control System and Air Delivery System ** · 2-SCUBA Air Cylinders ** · Lead Weights and Weight Belt ** · Wet Suit (The water temperature at both dive site will be 72 degrees. While this is not considered to be cold water, neither is it warm pool water! A wet suit will be required to make these dives. While we strongly recommend that you own your own exposure protection to ensure proper fit and so that you can get used to it, wet suits are available for rental at each site for approximately $15.00. At the last classroom session we will have a package for each person going on the trip. It will contain a complete itinerary as well as detailed directions. Your trip fee will also be due at that time. * There will either be a restaurant on site (Ginnie Springs) or a town nearby with a variety of restaurants to chose from (Blue Grotto) for lunches. However you may consider bringing lunch meat and a loaf of bread to reduce costs. The same applies to the evening meal. ** While there is not an additional charge to rent these items, you will need to stop by UnderWater World Scuba Sports before departing, (during regular business hours), to pick them up. You will also be responsible for returning these items to the shop after the trip (at your convenience). ITINERARY Friday, March 18, 6:30 AM: Meet at Underwater World (If following Joe), Load up for Departure. 7:00 AM: Depart for Florida. (Approx.) 9:00 PM: Arrive/Check-In Motel, (KNIGHTS INN, Lake City, FL) Saturday, Mar 19, 7:30 AM: Depart Motel for BLUE GROTTO. (Approx. a 70 minute drive.) 9:00 AM: Meet at BLUE GROTTO for pre-dive briefing by BLUE GROTTO Personnel. Unload, Gear-up for dive. NOTE: We will spending the day at BLUE GROTTO and making 2 or maybe even 3 dives depending on how things are going. We will head into the town of Williston for lunch somewhere around noon. (Approx.) 5:30 PM: Return to Motel for quick shower and change of clothes before going out for evening meal. Sunday, Mar 20, 7:30 AM: Depart Motel for day at GINNIE SPRINGS RESORT (Approx. a 30 minute drive.) 8:15 AM: Meet at GINNIE SPRINGS Registration Desk (inside the dive shop) for paperwork and registration. Unload, Gear-up for dive. 8:45 AM: Pre-Dive briefing prior to entering water. (Note: We will be entering the water at the upper end of the park for the first dive of the day. (This dive will consist of a tour of the “DEVILS EYE” and DEVILS EAR” spring heads, and conditions permitting, a dive in the SANTA FE River before exiting at the head pool of the main GINNIE SPRING.) 12:00 PM: LUNCH (There is a restaurant on the park premises, but everyone is free to eat wherever they desire for the next 90 minutes.) 1:30 PM: Pre-Dive briefing prior to entering water for our final certification dive, followed by post-dive debriefing/Log Dive and final course paperwork. (Approx.) 5:30 PM: Return to Motel for quick shower and change of clothes before going out for evening meal.
Monday, Mar 21, 7:00 AM: Depart Motel for trip home. NOTE: While subject to change, these times are to be adhered to as closely as possible. Anyone who is driving on their own is welcome to follow Joe in his RV or free to find their own way (See attached maps.) Just make certain to meet up with the group at the dive sites each day for the group registration/sign-in. (YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER OR DIVE WITHOUT THE SIGN OFF OF AN INSTRUCTOR!) DIRECTIONS From PORTSMOUTH, OH to Motel (KNIGHTS INN) There are actually, several different ways to get to Florida: The most popular are to head West and pick up I-75 South at Lexington, KY and just follow it all the way to Florida or you can head East towards Charleston, WV and then take I-77 to I-95 into Florida. Once in Florida, head West on I-10 until you hit I-75 south. The following directions are the first method: From Portsmouth, cross the Carl D. Perkins Bridge into KY. Turn right (West) onto St. Rt. 8. Follow it to Quincy, where it becomes Rt. 10. Stay on Rt. 10 until it dead ends into Rt. 9, also known as the “AA Highway”. Turn Right (West) onto the AA which you will want to follow all the way into Maysville, KY, (Approx. 50 Miles). At Maysville, pick up Rt. 68 South towards Lexington. On the outskirts of Lexington, look for the signs, and pick up I-75 SOUTH (Approx. 75 Miles). Follow I-75 southward through the cities of Knoxville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Macon, and Valdosta, and on into the state of Florida. After entering the state of Florida, continue southward until you cross I-10 (Which is where you will be turning south from if coming the other way.) Approximately 10 miles after intersecting I-10, watch for and take exit #423 (Lake City/Live Oak/Rt. 90). At bottom of exit ramp, turn left (West). Go approx. 200 Yards and you will see the entrance into the Knights Inn to your left. (The entire trip, which usually takes about 14 hours to complete, is approx. 750 Miles.) The rooms will be reserved in the name of Underwater World Scuba/Sports)
From Motel to BLUE GROTTO (Saturday; Approximately a 70 minute drive): From the KNIGHTS INN Motel, take I-75 SOUTH for approx. 45 miles. Take Exit #382 (FL #121 S) toward WILLISON for 21 miles. Once in WILLISTON, turn left (WEST) at WILLISTON TIRE and then turn RIGHT at the next light onto Alternate US 27. Stay on the 4-lane and 2 miles after passing McDonalds, (across from HOLY FAMILY Catholic Church), turn LEFT onto 172nd Court (a dirt road). Follow this road for a ¼ mile and you will see the entrance into BLUE GROTTO on your right. (For complete information about BLUE GROTTO, including pictures both above and below the water, go to www.divebluegrotto.com From Motel to GINNIE SPRINGS RESORT (Sunday; Approximately a 30 minute drive): From the KNIGHTS INN Motel, take I-75 SOUTH for approximately 25 miles. Watch for and take EXIT #404 (Rt. 236/High Springs). After arriving in HIGH SPRINGS, continue straight on #236 through 2 stop signs, then approximately ½ mile further to the turn off for County Road 340/NE 182nd Avenue. (Look for a sign on top of a pole indicating the turn off for GINNIE, BLUE and POE Springs) Turn RIGHT onto County Road 340 and go approximately 6.5 miles to the sign indicating the turn off to GINNIE SPRINGS (NE 60th AVE.) and turn RIGHT. Follow the road for approximately 1 mile to the park entrance. We will meet at the dive shop to get everyone signed in as a group. (To save time, please fill out the attached GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVFER OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT, Front and Back) (For complete information on GINNIE SPRINGS RESORT, go to www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com) PHONE NUMBERS: DAVE VETTER CELL (740) 352-6899 JOE KASKEY CELL (740) 357-2534 KNIGHTS INN (386) 752-7720 BLUE GROTTO (352) 528-5770 GINNIE SPRINGS (386) 454-7188
If you have ANY questions or concerns, please contact the shop or either of your instructors by phone, by email, or in person.
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dvetter@adelphia.net with questions or comments about this web site.
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