New from Orlando!

[KitsimiTheFox]

Hello!

I'm newly interested in caving, living around Orlando/Central Florida!

I've read about some interesting caves near the Ocala area, Lucky Lundy's and Tucks! Hope to meet some people who can help me explore that and just make some friends! Have a good night y'all!

[ohiocaver]

As a former T-BAG member, I'll point you to the NSS's list of Florida grottoes. Pick one close to Ocala and attend a meeting or two. Hope to see you underground!
https://caves.org/committee/i-o/grottos ... s.shtml#FL

[KitsimiTheFox]

Thanks for the pointers, I'll check that out!! For Ocala would you suggest River City or the Central Florida Grotto?

[KitsimiTheFox]

Sick thanks for the pointers!!! Would you suggest the River City or Central Florida Grotto for Ocala stuff?

[trogman]

Hello KitsimiTheFox! Welcome to Cavechat!

I once lived in central FL, but I was unaware at the time of the number of caves in the area. Although many FL caves are underwater, quite a few are not. If you are an NSS member, you have access to the Convention Guidebooks from past years online. The one in 2008 was held in Lake City, FL, and has a plethora of info about a number of FL caves, both wet and dry.

Also, if you get adventuresome, you can always take a short drive up the road to TAG, where the BIG ones are.

Trogman

[arachiya1]

Once an NSS institutional member, my tribe purchased land near Belleview for our new nation (our old one was located around Rock Springs, near Apopka). The caves were an important factor in selecting the land. Their existence discourages development. The tribe has its own caving program, TERRANAUT CORPS, which explores, digs out and maps the cave on the property. It is currently based in Pine Hills, next to Orlando and we visit the cave as often as possible and also to work on the property. Sadly, those who were interested in participating, usually never returned to the meetings. We had one person in Ocala who was going to lead our first chapter, but he violated our rules and procedures by trespassing, telling others where our property was, not following established procedures, not having his friends sign waivers, not accompanying them and not notifying us that he planned a trip to the property (all of which is mentioned on the waivers and rules he was given. Sadder still, he is an NSS member and president of the local Grotto). They were caught on camera and refused to admit that they broke the law. They now have police records. So we are no longer going to have chapter groups and no one may go to the tribe's property without a tribal member accompanying them.

Our ad appears periodically in the Orlando Sentinel under clubs; Order of the Skywatcher Clan.

[arachiya1]

I purchased land for my tribe that has a cave we are exploring and digging out. It has great potential to be a very large system based on reading the terrain. If you would be interest in helping out send me a PM.

[arachiya1]

We are heading to the cave this Saturday, March 07.