Episode 3:
Took V-Day off obviously.
Grabbed that second water source and explored a wide open section of the cave. One end led to a lava pool, the other to a spider dungeon.
I dropped my furnace and let it do its work as I cheated the dungeon by only opening holes close enough to reach in the chests, finding two more buckets, some bread, string and a few useless things.
Built myself a frame and built myself a nether portal. Still waiting for some more iron to smelt so I can have some armor and swords when I go blaze hunting.
Nether access in 42 minutes.