Yes, we had a pretty wonderful weekend. It was a bit on the ovenish side in terms of surface temperature, but other than that everything went as planned.
We arrived early Saturday afternoon, as planned, and, as planned, we were able to make contact with the owner immediately upon arrival to pay entrance fees and complete paperwork. We had myself, three DM candidates working on open water requirements, and another diver working on the Deep Diver and Diver Propulsion Vehicle (Scooter) specialties as well as trying to notch some 100 foot dives because of the requirements for technical diving certifications. Every goal was accomplished.
We had the place to ourselves the entire weekend--our own private lake. I am sad to say that some previous visitor had left a fair amount of trash on the ground, which we picked up. Everyone I have ever been with at that site over the years has been meticulous about keeping everything pristine, so it was sad to see this. There is no paid staff picking up after us, so it is up to us to keep things looking good. If anyone knows someone diving there with a penchant for Clif Bars especially, tell that person to use a trash bag.
On a couple of dives we really took our time looking at the formation of selenite gypsum crystals on the 100 foot ledge just north of the east descent line. The bigger and more mature ones are coverred in the purple/black goethite (my non-expert opinion), but the new ones being formed are still somewhat transparent, and if you get your light on them just right, you get the tell-tale gleam. We found some new growth crystals that were like tiny needles sticking out of the ultra fine organic silt deposits.
On Monday the DM candidates were on their way home, and the other diver and I started the day with a dive to the pinnacle at 130 feet, just south of the east descent line, and then multi-leveled our way up. After that, it was all about the DPVs, and when one of my DPVs had its battery run out unexpectedly early, he got an extra long training on his towing skills.
Once again, we are dependent upon and grateful for the presence of the god-like Stella. We were filling our tanks in the evenings, and it is so nice to be able to call her at home and arrange to have her there to fill our tanks. We just gave her a call and told her when we could come by. She can't live forever. What will happen when she decides to call it a career?
I am having surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome July 7, and I will be out of commission for a few weeks after that. When I am healed, I will be ready for another trip.
We arrived early Saturday afternoon, as planned, and, as planned, we were able to make contact with the owner immediately upon arrival to pay entrance fees and complete paperwork. We had myself, three DM candidates working on open water requirements, and another diver working on the Deep Diver and Diver Propulsion Vehicle (Scooter) specialties as well as trying to notch some 100 foot dives because of the requirements for technical diving certifications. Every goal was accomplished.
We had the place to ourselves the entire weekend--our own private lake. I am sad to say that some previous visitor had left a fair amount of trash on the ground, which we picked up. Everyone I have ever been with at that site over the years has been meticulous about keeping everything pristine, so it was sad to see this. There is no paid staff picking up after us, so it is up to us to keep things looking good. If anyone knows someone diving there with a penchant for Clif Bars especially, tell that person to use a trash bag.
On a couple of dives we really took our time looking at the formation of selenite gypsum crystals on the 100 foot ledge just north of the east descent line. The bigger and more mature ones are coverred in the purple/black goethite (my non-expert opinion), but the new ones being formed are still somewhat transparent, and if you get your light on them just right, you get the tell-tale gleam. We found some new growth crystals that were like tiny needles sticking out of the ultra fine organic silt deposits.
On Monday the DM candidates were on their way home, and the other diver and I started the day with a dive to the pinnacle at 130 feet, just south of the east descent line, and then multi-leveled our way up. After that, it was all about the DPVs, and when one of my DPVs had its battery run out unexpectedly early, he got an extra long training on his towing skills.
Once again, we are dependent upon and grateful for the presence of the god-like Stella. We were filling our tanks in the evenings, and it is so nice to be able to call her at home and arrange to have her there to fill our tanks. We just gave her a call and told her when we could come by. She can't live forever. What will happen when she decides to call it a career?
I am having surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome July 7, and I will be out of commission for a few weeks after that. When I am healed, I will be ready for another trip.
