About
the Author
Being a Florida Native I have enjoyed Lithia every
since my early childhood. Like many other Floridians I always thought
of springs as just swimming holes. Boy was I wrong.
My interest in springs came later on in my life through a strange
turn of events. I was working part time in a local pet store and
became interested in set up and maintenance of salt water fish aquariums.
The diversity of colorful marine animals, invertebrates and corals
captivated my interests.
Wanting to take things one step further I soon found myself enrolled
in an open water scuba class. Eagerly awaiting the opportunity to
visit the offshore coral reefs to see marine life in its natural
habitat!
But as my luck would have it an incoming tropical depression and
high seas would cause our class of beginner scuba divers to change
plans. It was announced that we would head up to north Florida to
dive a spring. My reaction was why scuba dive a swimming hole. No
reefs, no schools of fish , I was disappointed to say the least.
I arrived at Blue Grotto
and immediately noticed an abundance of divers from all over the
state and continental US. What could be down there that would bring
so many divers to converge on this one spot? I was about to find
out!
Upon entering the water the first thing that caught my eye was FISH
and many,many of them. The sunlight jetting through the calm clear
water combined with the white puffy clouds overhead created a stunning
sight that can hardly be described by words. At a depth of 40 feet
I felt the calming feeling that only Florida's Springs can provide.
From that day I was hooked!
Since then I have gained the opportunity to dive the oceans reefs.
From the west coast of Florida down through the Keys and even a
few select locations in the Caribbean.
It is unfair to compare the oceans reefs with Florida's Springs.
They both have very distinct differences and offer distinctly different
pleasures. In my opinion a day spent in one of Florida's springs
is a true "Florida" experience.
--Brian Newsome |
I often enjoy exploring one of Lithia's many nature trails.
(L to R)
Brian Newsome, Susan Mixon and Scott Eckmyre enjoy a relaxing
day diving the cool clear waters of Crystal River.
Snapshot of
me diving a reef in the Florida Keys.
photo by K. Mendoza
|
