Anyone been to Oronogo lately?

[Scubagal]

Thinking about a trip the first weekend in August to dive Blue Water Lake. Never been there. It's about a 6 hour drive for us each way. Just curious what to expect visibility and temp wise this time of year. Having a bit of trouble finding hotel availability in Carthage/Joplin, must be something going on in the area that weekend. Might end up staying in Pittsburg, KS.

Thanks in advance! :)

[theskull]

Visibility is usually 20 ft. or better. See here http://www.scubaadventurer.com/oronogo.htm .

Joplin has many many hotels. I'm sure it's possible for them to be booked up, but I have never seen such.

If you don't mind a little bit run down, the Riviera Motel, 3333 Rangeline, Joplin, MO 64804, (417) 624-6500, is very reasonably priced and has always had vacancies when I called for reservations.

theskull

[ozarkjim]

The last weekend of July is a Little League Tournament so rooms would be tight then but I don't think anything big is going on in town the first of August, so as The Skull says you should be able to find a room here pretty easily.

[DeepDiverBob]

I will be there for the first time the first weekend in September. I am looking forward to it.

[Scubagal]

Jim and theskull, thanks for the info and the link! I don't own a drysuit, and am definitely a www (warm water wuss) :D. Hope I can take the water temps at or below the termoclines. Planning on wearing my trilam, a 7/5 wetsuit, hooded vest, possibly another heavier hood over that, and gloves.

Have a good trip Bob, I'll post a mini trip report if we make the trip.

[DeepDiverBob]

If you don't mind a little bit run down, the Riviera Motel, 3333 Rangeline, Joplin, MO 64804, (417) 624-6500, is very reasonably priced and has always had vacancies when I called for reservations.

theskull

What does the room run in price there? I'll sacrifice a little quality to save a few bucks.

[theskull]

What does the room run in price there? I'll sacrifice a little quality to save a few bucks.

As I recall, about $35 per night.

theskull

[DeepDiverBob]

We wound up staying at the Motel 6 just a few blocks up from the Riveria. I was going to stay there, but they sold my room on me, even after I called to confirm my room while driving down.


You mentioned it was about a 6 hour drive for you to get there. This is just me, but if there is anything closer, I would go there instead. Blue water lake was okay, but for me, it was a 4 hour drive, and I can think of a lot other places I would prefer to go if I am going to drive that far.

The vis at depth was decent, probably 20-25 foot. But there wasnt a whole lot to see. I think the whole day I was there, I only saw a couple of fish, and nothing any bigger than my hand.

I guess I might put it in the same category as Bonne Terre. Okay to do once, but I dont know if I would go back there again.

[Scubagal]

We wound up staying at the Motel 6 just a few blocks up from the Riveria. I was going to stay there, but they sold my room on me, even after I called to confirm my room while driving down.


You mentioned it was about a 6 hour drive for you to get there. This is just me, but if there is anything closer, I would go there instead. Blue water lake was okay, but for me, it was a 4 hour drive, and I can think of a lot other places I would prefer to go if I am going to drive that far.

The vis at depth was decent, probably 20-25 foot. But there wasnt a whole lot to see. I think the whole day I was there, I only saw a couple of fish, and nothing any bigger than my hand.

I guess I might put it in the same category as Bonne Terre. Okay to do once, but I dont know if I would go back there again.

Thanks for the info, good to know.