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Goldie_n_jake · 11-23-2008, 10:37 PM,

Just finished two days of diving Cannonball Spring in SE Missouri. The dives were excellent despite the 40 degree air temps and upper 30 degree surface water temp. To be sure, Missouri diving is not the same as FL. The water temp is 56 degrees in the cave vs 72 in FL. FL has many more major explored systems than MO. However, MO does have some advantages.
1) Proximity. It's a lot easier to get to MO for an extended weekend vs FL which requires a one and preferrably 2+ weeks.
2) Many of MO's caves are pristine. There are so few divers other than locals who go to MO the cave systems they are almost untouched.
3) Local divers are eager to share locations and are not distrustful of "non-locals."
4) Ed and the gang at Ozark Dive Co were awesome. I called a few weeks before heading down and they turned it into a get together. They have strong technical background and the resources to support tech diving.

Missouri will not replace FL anytime soon for world class cave diving but for people in the midwest it deserves serious consideration. There are several old lead mines (not counting Bonne Terre) to dive too which is like a cross between wreck diving and cave diving.

Anyone who is interested in going to MO in 2009 let me know. A week long trip would be good but I would settle for a 4 or 5 day trip too.

Mr.Pitbull · 11-24-2008, 07:27 PM,

John,

Sounds like a real good time? What kind of costs are involved? Lodging local to the dive sites?

Inquiring minds need to know more.

Goldie_n_jake · 12-05-2008, 08:46 AM,

I dove Cannonball Cave about 20 miles from Poplar Bluff, MO. Poplar Bluff has a wide variety of lodging options and during the summer there are a number of state parks for camping. I stayed a Drury Inn which was about $60/night. But included a great breakfast and complimentary cocktails during happy hour. There were a lot of motels around the area that would be comparable to The Cadillac or Country Inn in High Springs FL.

Mine Lemont is about a hour from Poplar Bluff. Like FL there are a number of caves in spread around.