Days 25 – 27 Caving in Georgia

7th July 

As we had been rained out the day before we were determined to find a place to canoe. Luckily for us the Dillard family owned a part of the River that was perfect for our plan. The team and I organized the canoe to be brought up to the part of the river that we were going to traverse and Charlie Wiggins stayed on standby just in case I might need a hand. As it turned out it wasn’t the negotiating of the river I should have been afraid about, it was Russ’ driving.

I am sure he will deny it but I will let the show depict the events that happened and you can decide.

8th July 

Our time in Georgia was coming to an end but we had one more adventure to overcome and it was one that I had been dreading. Georgia is known for it’s caves. In fact Tennessee / Alabama and Georgia (known as TAG) is known for it’s caves. Georgia has some of the deepest and dankest ones around. The one we picked was no different.

We met up with the local fire and cave rescue team and went over the plan for the night. Yes, the night. Did I not mention we would be sleeping in the cave? I believe one of the firefighters, said simply, ‘why?’ It was a difficult argument but we all agreed ‘why not?’. Also we were going to be traveling through the night and it is easier to camp then to carry on. The guys took us to PettyJohn’s Cave. Near Ellison’s Cave up in the hills of Georgia, by Rock Springs. The air was incredibly humid but the cave entrance felt like a fridge door wide open. As we went in the light was gone and the deeper we got, the more vertical I became.

We were in the hands of experts but in caving there is no guarantee. With all the fresh break around us I became more nervous about the next 11 hours I had underground with limited ways out.

9th July 

Leaving the cave the next day was a surreal experience. I slept surprisingly well, unlike some of the team, and if anything I felt refreshed. This only lasted until I realized the caving, climbing, ducking and diving had really taken an effect on my body.

There is no rest for the wicked though and after a quick shower on the firestation we had to move. We were due in Vicksburg, Mississippi and there was a long 8 hour drive ahead of me.

The drive was long, rain was intermittent and the weather grew gradually more and more humid. As we arrived late night in to Vicksburg we were hungry and sweaty from the drive. The only thing that would satisfy me now was a bourbon and some local blues. Which luckily, on a Tuesday night, Vicksburg offers both.

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