Little River Spring, now a Suwannee County park, empties into the Suwannee River north of Branford With the Suwannee's waters running low, Little River's spring waters etch an aquamarine path out to join her dark, tannin-stained flow. Two divers emerge from the spring's opening and sit in the pool area,. awed by Little River's labyrinthine underwater cave system. High bluffs wind around both the spring and the Suwannee, offering spectacular views of the waters that course through canyons of green woods. With squeals of delight, the kids from our group are first into the cold spring water. Their enthusiasm is contagious and soon the adults take the plunge as well.
Resistance is futile.
Pulling off my shoes, I dive into the water, clothes and all. Holding onto the side of the cave entrance, the water pulses around my body as I watch a tiny flounder scuttle along the spring's bottom. The cave's entrance spirals into a blackness that goes for miles. Bobbing back to the surface like a cork, I swim over to a gnarled tree wedged into the side of the cave entrance and perch for a while in one of its crooks, soaking up the warm sunshine. By now, John Webb has the canoes and kayaks ready for the second leg of our outing.