We decided to say farewell to 2009 and enter 2010 the best way we know how - with a cave diving trip!  After dropping Samantha off with her Grandma and Poppy on December 31, we made our way to Marianna, Florida for a week of diving through Cave Adventurers.  We got there in time to do an afternoon dive and get some rest before our New Year's Eve dive - both in Jackson Blue.  The plan was we would enter the cave at around 11:30 p.m. and be back in the cavern just before midnight.  We joined another 10-12 divers in the cavern where they released a bag of glowstick juice to herald in the New Year.  It was a very cool experience - and a great way to celebrate the new year.

Cave Adventurers hooked us up with a BBQ on the 31st and Cave Diver's Forum treated everyone to a BBQ on the 1st.  Cave divers are a great, friendly bunch and it was great to meet people we had chatted with online.

We spent the next six days diving diving Jackson Blue, Twin Caves and Hole in the Wall.  Like last year, the pontoon boat is definitely the way to go... there is no way you can miss any of the caves, really (they are all well marked) and Cave Adventurers outfit boat with a ladder for easy entry and exit.  Also like last year, Sara experienced a little "flooding" - last year it was her computer; this year it was her dry suit. 

Each system was very different, but very cool.  The flow in Jackson was down from last year, but there was still a nice ride out.  In Hole in the Wall we dived the upstream system.  In between dives at Hole in the Wall we talked with some great people from Pennsylvania.  It was cold - one of the coldest weeks on record in Florida, so we did most of our surface intervals back in the warmth of the house we rented next to Cave Adventurers.

On our way to pick up Sammy Girl, we stopped in Luraville for a quick dive at Peacock Springs.  It had been more than a year since we'd been there last but we had a great dive.  Really, really relaxing.  We're looking forward to going back!

We then made our way to Gainesville to drop off Sara's suit at Steve Gamble's.  Fingers are crossed it is a true drysuit when we get it back :  - ).   

After picking up Sammy Girl, we stopped in Raleigh on our way home.  We went to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and took Sammy to see her first NHL game.  The Hurricanes were hosting the Avalanche - unfortunately the Avs lost, but we still had a blast!

All-in-all, it was an amazing way to start the year.  Incredibly relaxing atmosphere and awesome caves!  Can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!