Getting There and
Checking In and Out
GETTING TO JACKSON BLUE is relatively easy. Just take I-10 one hour west of Tallahassee. You can get off at either exits 20 or 21. From both exits, it is a short drive north to US90.
Avoid Being Gouged on Gasoline: Gas prices on I-10 between the I-75 interchange and Tallahassee run 10-15 cents higher than you need to pay. You will find your best gas prices at: Exit 80, between High Springs and Lake City on I-75; Exit 27, on I-10 just west of Tallahassee (at the Flying J Travel Plaza); and, at Exit 21, the Marianna exit on I-10.
Upon arriving in Marianna, your first stop will be the Sheriff's. To get to the Sheriff's office, take US90 west to the far end of town. You will go down a hill and under a railroad overpass. An eighth mile ahead on your right, you will find the Sheriff's Department. It is difficult to miss.
At the Sheriff's office, tell the receptionist you have come to check in for diving. He/she will direct to the Dispatcher's office, through the double doors and to the left. On weekends, there will be no receptionist; however, a window behind the receptionist's desk allows you to look in on the Dispatcher's office.
MMYou can't actually enter the Dispatcher's Office. You will have to gain his/her attention though a reinforced glass window (this sometimes takes a while).
MMIf this if your first visit, the Dispatcher will have you complete a form while he/she makes a photocopy of your driver's licence and C-card. This is a process you only need complete once; your information will be on file from this point on.
MMThe dispatcher will also have you log in and post your expected departure time. He or she will also collect you diving fee. This is $15/day or $25 for the weekend. (A year's pass is $100.)
MMThe dispatcher will also give you a key to Jackson Blue, unless they are all checked out. If no keys remain, the Dispatcher will ask you to get one from divers who are already on site, but leaving ahead of you.
On to the Site: The dive site is roughly ten minutes from the Sheriff's office. You do, however, get to drive all the way back through town (lucky you...). Take US90 east to SR71 north. Shortly after turning left onto SR71, you will see a large agricultural implement dealer on your right. Immediately after this you will see the turn off for SR164. Turn right here.
MMOn SR164, continue approximately two miles. You will be looking for a red, white and blue sign that says, "Blue Springs Recreational Area."
Use the key the Dispatcher gave you to let yourself in the gate. Close the gate behind you (it is common for people to leave the chain in place, hooked on a nail, but to not actually lock the lock). If you did not get a key, and the chain is locked, walk around the fence and get a key from one of the divers who is already inside.
When you are done diving, you will have to go back to the Sheriff's office to check out. If you are responsible for a key, turn it in at this time.
MMBy the way, we all owe a great deal to the Jackson County Sheriff, John P. McDaniel, who went to bat for us with the County Commission to ensure that there would be a way for us to have access to the spring. (Thanks, Sheriff!) At the moment, Sheriff McDaniel certainly qualifies as being a Cave Diver's Best Friend.
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Overview
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Getting There/Checking In
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Making the Dive
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Where to Stay
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Other Area Dive Sites
