Jennings Rock Removal

1-22-04
4 hours (12:00 – 4:00 pm)
Danny Brinton, Annette Brinton, Bill Birdsall, Eric Anderson, Mark Fowler, Crane Operator / High Point Crane Service 21 ton crane. Removed top rock approximately 15,000 to 16,000 pounds, and 18 other large rocks using the crane. Had to stop because the next rock was huge. To big for the crane to lift.

2-11-04
8 hours (9:00am – 5:00pm)
Danny and Annette Brinton Went to Jim Thompson’s Plumbing. Jim donated the cost for a 90 pound jack hammer and pull behind compressor from Walton’s rental ($116.62). We picked it up and ran jack hammer for 3 hours on rock making a large groove in one side (left depressed). Returned rented equipment and stopped back by Jim’s office.

2-13-04
1 hour (7:30 - 8:30 pm)
Danny Brinton, Annette Brinton, Sean Roberts, and Bill Walker. Meeting to discuss options on how to remove huge rock. ( did somebody say blast? )

2-18-04
1 hour (7:45 – 8:45 am)
Danny and Annette Brinton, and Perry/Crane Operator. Met Perry, Crane Operator with Shelby Crane, 75 ton crane. Meeting to see if larger crane could lift out the huge rock, approximate weight 25,000 to 30,000 pounds. Crane would be to large to travel the dirt road to the cave, concern about the weight of the crane on the ground surface above the cave area, and the distance of the crane from the load vs. lifting capacity.

2-28-04
8 ½ hours (10:00am -6:30pm)
Danny Brinton, Annette Brinton, Sean Roberts, Becky Roberts, Brandon Roberts, Bill Birdsall,
(Jim Thompson and Stacey- 2-hours.) Danny and Annette picked up Jim Thompson’s generator and 45 pound jack hammer on Friday night. Saturday we drilled holes and blasted about ¼ of the huge rock. Only had 11” drill bit, holes to shallow for large charges.

3-6-04
7 hours (10:00am – 5:00 pm)
Danny Brinton, Annette Brinton, Sean Roberts, Becky Roberts, Brandon Roberts, and (Bill Birdsall - 2 hours.) Used Jim Thompson’s generator and large rotary hammer drill with newly purchased 22” drill bit. Drilled and blasted the remaining rock. Sealed off cave with last blast until crane can be scheduled to remove loose rocks. Deep holes very successful. Brandon was a big help loading trailer with rocks.

3-11-04
4 ½ hours (12:30 – 5:00pm)
Danny Brinton, Annette Brinton, Mark Fowler w/ High Point Crane (Bill Birdsall, Eric Anderson, Bruce Morgan a.k.a. Sleaze weasel – 1hour.) Bill and Bruce were first to visit cave after rock removal.
Removed pieces of blasted rock, and last remaining rock (est. weight 9000lb) and pushed remaining debris from ledges to floor of entrance.

3-13-04
4 ½ hours (11:00am – 3:00pm)
Danny Brinton, Annette Brinton, Sean Roberts, Brandon Roberts, George, friend of Sean from work
Picked up welder and generator and repaired vandalized gate.

3-19-04
1 hour (5:00 – 6:00pm)
Danny Brinton, Annette Brinton. Drove to cave to check condition and found it re-vandalized with many of the smaller to medium rocks, logs, and branches thrown into the entrance blocking access. Moved enough debris to check gate and found it undamaged.

3-20-04
Est. 7 hour (11:00am - ?)
TBAG and some Central FL Grotto people maybe 18 total. Did not get a list of names but Thanks to all those that were there. You all did a great job. Rigged ropes for hauling and pulled all but the largest of debris from the entrance. Rolled and dragged rocks and logs as far from the entrance as possible. The site is starting to look like it used to it just needs time for re-growth of the vegetation.

Future plans
I have spoken with Mark Fowler and have plans to remove from the property all of the
remaining rocks except the two largest ones. Possibly put up a small kiosk with information about caves and how to contact someone to visit the cave.

FSS has paid Mark Fowler $700.00 for his crane services. If you would like to make a contribution toward the crane cost please send it to the FSS. @ PO Box 12581 Gainesville, FL 32604-2581. Any funds over this amount will be kept for future Jennings projects.

Once again, a great big THANK YOU to all those involved in the Jennings restoration project.