VR: I wonder how far Moundsville is from the little piece of land I own in WV?
Red: My grandson is interested in Scuba Diving and undersea exploration. He is about to begin college studying Nature Studies (Ecology?). I wonder if this kind of exploration in Florida would interest him. My son has friends in Florida, where were these fossils found?
Diana: Living in the city is no fun either sometimes. Most recently early April I submitted my 2022 local business tax forms so as not to miss any refunds. Last month I received a letter saying I had to resubmit my 2022 form on actual barcoded 2022 paper, not the 2023 forms, with 23 crossed out and 22 hand written because I could not find the 2022 forms on line. I phoned July 14, and the lady said she would send forms “today”. I returned from a business trip Aug. 2, and found her envelope postmarked July 27. On Aug. 5 I sat down to rewrite the 4 page form. I then saw the 30 day deadline was Aug. 6, so 8/6, at age 88, I walked 6 blocks in 96 degree temp to find the post office closed at 3 pm. I also had to do business at the nearby bank, and was too tired to walk to more distant POs. Next day I phoned nearby UPS store which also has postal services. Asked if they had the forms for certified mail. They said yes and I walked only 2 blocks to mail. When they had attached the forms to envelope I owed $18, and they had not told me they charged double the PO rate. Also I had to hold the letter because next day PO would come to affix the tracking number and pick up my envelope. I am staying at a different property supervising repair work, and being at my return address was not possible, so I dropped envelope in nearest post box on street. I pray it gets there and I don’t have to do it all over again. This city is going to kill this old lady.
Cave Diving in Florida is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS thing! Certainly not for a novice and even an experienced diver should think twice.
BRAVE AI:
Recent fatal incidents in Florida cave diving include a March 2025 tragedy at Twin Caves (Jackson Blue Springs) where one diver died and two others were rescued, and a June 2022 incident at Buford Springs Cave where two men, Todd Richard McKenna and Stephen Roderick Gambrell, drowned after reportedly discussing air leaks.
Historically, the Eagle’s Nest cave system in Hernando County has seen 10 deaths since 1981, including notable cases such as:
2016: Experienced divers Patrick Peacock and Chris Rittenmeyer were found dead at a depth of 260 feet.
2013: A father and son died while testing new equipment on Christmas.
1990: Multiple fatalities occurred at Eagle’s Nest and other sites due to depth-related nitrogen narcosis and silt-outs.
Other notable deaths include the 1995 drowning of uncertified divers in Lake Apopka and the unresolved disappearance of Ben McDaniel at Vortex Spring in 2005, whose body has never been recovered despite extensive searches.
Moundsville is on the Ohio River just a bit south of Wheeling. There is an Indian mound there.