RonFrank
Contributor
I dove Blue Hole solo on the way home from FL last Saturday evening. When I say Solo, I mean SOLO! I had the entire place to myself, and there had been only 2 other groups of divers there all day according to Stella.
The Vis was great, but oddly enough the water was kinda milky. However I could easily see the Grate from 20', so the vis was excellent especially as I was diving in the early evening, so in little sunlight.
Wow, has the bottom changed. I just don't know how to describe how different it is. There is a huge opening behind the grate, the gravestones are moved. I saw very few fish, maybe a half a dozen GF, and a single Parana. There are no Crawdads, or at least none alive. I saw the bodies of a LOT of dead dads. The entire sides of the rock is covered in what looks like this silty hanging moss, and the whole HOLE is covered in a think layer of silt. Our Clown Mariachi Band is in tact as are a lot of the STUFF that divers have contributed. I did not however see other things like the Wedding site, and it looks like most anything plastic has been removed.
I talked with Stella for a while about the new construction. She will be attending a council meeting this week where she will learn a lot more about the plans. Right now everything is up in the air as to if she will be able to keep a temporary shop open for air fills, etc. My advice is that if you are going to the Hole, either contact her in advance, or bring what you need.
She also told me about some long term plans that sound none too thrilling, for example the parking is to be moved a long way from the Hole, and people will be required to go through the visitors center for entrance, and carry their gear. That would be a true bonehead move on the part of SantaRosa, so let's hope these long term plans loose funding!
I hope there are some RMO member here to read this. I'll move it to the REAL SB once it has been brought back from the Dead.
The Vis was great, but oddly enough the water was kinda milky. However I could easily see the Grate from 20', so the vis was excellent especially as I was diving in the early evening, so in little sunlight.
Wow, has the bottom changed. I just don't know how to describe how different it is. There is a huge opening behind the grate, the gravestones are moved. I saw very few fish, maybe a half a dozen GF, and a single Parana. There are no Crawdads, or at least none alive. I saw the bodies of a LOT of dead dads. The entire sides of the rock is covered in what looks like this silty hanging moss, and the whole HOLE is covered in a think layer of silt. Our Clown Mariachi Band is in tact as are a lot of the STUFF that divers have contributed. I did not however see other things like the Wedding site, and it looks like most anything plastic has been removed.
I talked with Stella for a while about the new construction. She will be attending a council meeting this week where she will learn a lot more about the plans. Right now everything is up in the air as to if she will be able to keep a temporary shop open for air fills, etc. My advice is that if you are going to the Hole, either contact her in advance, or bring what you need.
She also told me about some long term plans that sound none too thrilling, for example the parking is to be moved a long way from the Hole, and people will be required to go through the visitors center for entrance, and carry their gear. That would be a true bonehead move on the part of SantaRosa, so let's hope these long term plans loose funding!
I hope there are some RMO member here to read this. I'll move it to the REAL SB once it has been brought back from the Dead.
