Back in Rockport State Recreation Area forest near Alpena Michigan lies 12 relatively un-explored Devonian Era sinkhole karst features — flooded sinkholes that might contain archaeological clues from the last Holocene and the possibility of dormant cave passage. Certified cave divers Adam Haydock, Chris Parks, and Mike Apke brought gear to the Big Sink for an initial checkout dive. I stayed topside while Mike and Chris descended. Visibility 20ft at surface to 25-40ft depth. Two types of plant...

Pless Cave near Blue Springs Indiana — trip leader Dave Everton. Six cars of cavers. Walking entrance with rimstone dams, collapse entrance, flowstone climb to upper level, slot canyon passage into final formation room. Some sections required swimming and crawling with head turned sideways, ears in the water. Bacon drapery quite pretty. Thanks to Dave Everton for sharing this cave once again.

Day 3 in Alpena Michigan. The SS Florida — a 271x40x15 wooden steamer sank May 1897 when the George Roby rammed her starboard aft in 10-12 minutes. She rests at 197ft bottom, deck at 176ft. Dove into 2-4ft waves and descended to find a massive, intact wreck — WOW. Swam her deck past artifacts lying everywhere in the holds. Three decks, multi-story cargo holds, fun swim throughs. Bridge house with axe visible under the window. Got into the tight bridge house quarters before the gear-load made...