DeepDiverBob
August 13th, 2007, 11:40 PM
I left work Friday afternoon around 3 PM. I headed down to Mermet Springs to camp out. The days was hot, but the nights wasnt too bad. It dropped into the 60s, which was tolerable for sleeping. Saturday morning, I was up at 5:20, and on my way down to Penny Royal for the Midwest Scuba explore midwest diving program. I did dive number one with Jim and and his wife Dietra from the shop. Just cruised around the usual attractions. I was only wearing my Henderson 5 mil, which has been compressed so many times, it is actually a three mil now, and thats being kind. At 85 foot, I was wishing I had on a little more. Vis was probably around 20-30 foot. Dives number 2 and 3 was with theskull. Our first dive was interesting. We was looking for a good place to tie off the float for his shops seep diver class. Before the dive, he advised me that I wouldnt need a light, because it was plenty bright down there. I brought it anyway, because as i told him, I like it. We descended down, and just as he said, plenty of light down there swimming around 90-95 foot. Hit 99 foot, and it was still plenty bright. However, as soon as we hit 100 foot, someone turned out the lights, and it was DARK. Somehow, he found a place to tie of the float, and we completed our journey swimming along the wall back top the exit point. Dive number 3 turned out to be a search and recovery mission. The object: a missing weight pouch with weights. After about 5 minutes of searching, Bill happily lifted the pouch from the muck, but it was empty. We spent a few more minutes looking around for weigths, but didnt find anything. we then ventured across the middle of the quarry to the war wall. Let me tell you now, there is NOTHING in the middle of that quarry. It was still a fun swim, and we ascended and exited the water shortly after getting buzzed by a few divers on DPVs. At this point, I called it a day and headed back to Mermet to see what was going on with the DiveRite demo days. It had already wound down for the day, so I just took the opportunity to relax, and off gas a little.
After a good nights sleep in the tent, it was Sunday morning. I spoke to Lamar Hires from DiveRite for a little bit, and he explained to a few of us about gear configurations, and point out a few things I might want to think about changing, which I will be making those changes this week. Old dive buddy Chris W was there Sunday, and we decided to do a couple of dives. The first dive I made was with my new v weigths Jason made for me. (Thanks Jason, they worked GREAT.) I finally get to ditch my 3 back plate wings set up, and look like a somewhat normal diver now. We dropped down on the inner wall, and toured the wall, and some of the more shallow attractions. Vis was pretty mucked up from the previous days activities. Still had 30 foot vis below 60 foot though. Dive number 2, we did the ever popular dive to the rock crusher, and back. One of my favorites to do there, for sure. We also practiced gas switches and valve shut downs. After 2 dives, it was was getting late in the day, and Chris decided to go home. I hung around a little while longer, and listened to some more of Lamars gear information. Then it was time to hit the road again. This time, Poplar Bluff Mo to visit cannonball.
After going to Eds shop for some air fills, I got settled into my hotel room, and turned the AC down to about 53 degress, and enjoyed a good nights sleep on a real bed. I was up and back at eds shop by 7:30, and from there we had a caravan heading up to dive Cannonball Cave system. I did two dives with Ed, both dives staying on the main line, and just touring the upper tunnels. Next time i go there, I think I want to go down the down line a little further, and see thats going on down there. Lamar Hires and John Jones joined us on this trip, in full Rebreather gear. I'm not sure where they went to, I think I heard them say down to the restriction, but I cant confirm that for sure. We also had the pleasure of charing the cave system with Slim and Joe. Joe is with Ozark Dive company as well. Lamar and John only did one dive, and then they had to hit the road. But before they left, we hung out in the water and had some good conversation again. Lamar did mention that was the best deco run hes ever done. Quite a compliment from someone that has seen a lot of cave systems. Dive number 2, Slim was replaced by Sharon, also w/ ODC. Vis was again incredible. ed was estimating 70-80 foot. He might be right, but my light doesnt shine as far as his, but it was definitely as far as my light would shine. we exited to water, and rode the boat back to Holiday Boat ramp, which was a lot easier than climbing that darn hill.
All in all, it was a great weekend, got to see some old friends, and made some new ones. Lamar Hires is a top flight guy, and a joy to be around, and talk to. He might have even convinced me to trade in my VR3 for the X when it comes out. I'm still pondering that one.
After a good nights sleep in the tent, it was Sunday morning. I spoke to Lamar Hires from DiveRite for a little bit, and he explained to a few of us about gear configurations, and point out a few things I might want to think about changing, which I will be making those changes this week. Old dive buddy Chris W was there Sunday, and we decided to do a couple of dives. The first dive I made was with my new v weigths Jason made for me. (Thanks Jason, they worked GREAT.) I finally get to ditch my 3 back plate wings set up, and look like a somewhat normal diver now. We dropped down on the inner wall, and toured the wall, and some of the more shallow attractions. Vis was pretty mucked up from the previous days activities. Still had 30 foot vis below 60 foot though. Dive number 2, we did the ever popular dive to the rock crusher, and back. One of my favorites to do there, for sure. We also practiced gas switches and valve shut downs. After 2 dives, it was was getting late in the day, and Chris decided to go home. I hung around a little while longer, and listened to some more of Lamars gear information. Then it was time to hit the road again. This time, Poplar Bluff Mo to visit cannonball.
After going to Eds shop for some air fills, I got settled into my hotel room, and turned the AC down to about 53 degress, and enjoyed a good nights sleep on a real bed. I was up and back at eds shop by 7:30, and from there we had a caravan heading up to dive Cannonball Cave system. I did two dives with Ed, both dives staying on the main line, and just touring the upper tunnels. Next time i go there, I think I want to go down the down line a little further, and see thats going on down there. Lamar Hires and John Jones joined us on this trip, in full Rebreather gear. I'm not sure where they went to, I think I heard them say down to the restriction, but I cant confirm that for sure. We also had the pleasure of charing the cave system with Slim and Joe. Joe is with Ozark Dive company as well. Lamar and John only did one dive, and then they had to hit the road. But before they left, we hung out in the water and had some good conversation again. Lamar did mention that was the best deco run hes ever done. Quite a compliment from someone that has seen a lot of cave systems. Dive number 2, Slim was replaced by Sharon, also w/ ODC. Vis was again incredible. ed was estimating 70-80 foot. He might be right, but my light doesnt shine as far as his, but it was definitely as far as my light would shine. we exited to water, and rode the boat back to Holiday Boat ramp, which was a lot easier than climbing that darn hill.
All in all, it was a great weekend, got to see some old friends, and made some new ones. Lamar Hires is a top flight guy, and a joy to be around, and talk to. He might have even convinced me to trade in my VR3 for the X when it comes out. I'm still pondering that one.