Dutch Springs 22 February 2004

[grouchyturtle]

Yeah I got it. Thanks!
Well, we both have the same hood in the same size with no names on them. You probably just packed all your gear, then saw my hood when you did your idiot check, and though it was yours.

 

[mwilding]

Based on the forecast, it's going to be iffy on the ice melting. Overnight temps are going to be COLD! Right now, I am looking at just Sunday...

 

[DawgPaddle]

Folks,

I just landed about an hour ago and spent 10 minutes circling Dutch Springs and I don't have good news. With the exception of a thin strip near the student side (turn left from the entrance), the entire surface is frozen over. Granted the middle looks thin, but it's frozen pretty good even out past the docks. I definitely want to go, but I'm not ice certified and I don't want to be a test diver for myself or my gear to see if either fails. I'll hopefully be able to get another overflight of the area prior to next weekend and keeping my fingers crossed that I can provide better news.

Again, Frozen over totally with the exception of a thin strip (guessing 20' X 60') on the East side.

 

[BILLB]

The weather here in Philly is calling for 2-3 days of 24 hour below freezing tempratures. Then it will warm a bit later in the week. This is all disappointing to me me but HEY! It does snow (and freeze) here sometimes. Life goes on.

I will try and contact Kevin on Monday but the odds are not with us. Dutch has no schedule for March but they eventually have a "clean up" weekend and this may be a prime time for the Wreck Valley divers to make a mark on the diving world (maybe a few signs attached to the platforms indicating they were manicured by Wreck valley). The American flag on the helo needs to be replaced. In January it was totally green. Or, Maybe we can remove it and have it properly cleaned. Just gotta think of reasons to go diving.

 

[mwilding]

Dawg - I would love to see a photo from a flyover if you can get one!

 

[joebrown]

Just wondering which one of you Wreckers I ran into yesterday (2/14) at TSC. You were picking up your nitrox and dry suit cards from the last DutchFest. Forgot to ask your screen name -- always nice to put a face with the name.

Anyway, much fun to all of you next weekend at Dutch. I'm off to Florida tomorrow for my Intro to Cave course. Hopefully hooking up with DutchFin (if I hear from him...hint, hint).

Joe

 

[grouchyturtle]

That was me. The funny thing is...

Now that I put your face with the name, and think about the TSC connection, and you hooking up with DutchFin, I think we dove together before!

11/9 - You, DutchFin, me, and Martin. We did that monster tour of most of the attractions. Dropped on the schoobus, across to the pump station and back, hitting almost everything in between. I was the one guy diving wet.

 

[dutchfin]

Not looking promising Joe Brown. Santee-Cooper River dive has my funds tied up. Been planning this one for over 1 yr. Think we need 1 more diver, any takers? 2 days of diving with 4 dives / day.

 

[JMG]

Well, I just bought my own drysuit, which means that there's one more person praying for enough unexpected warmth to melt the ice before next weekend. And, if that doesn't happen, I'm definitely up for diving as soon as the ice does melt.

 

[joebrown]

That was me. The funny thing is...

Now that I put your face with the name, and think about the TSC connection, and you hooking up with DutchFin, I think we dove together before!

11/9 - You, DutchFin, me, and Martin. We did that monster tour of most of the attractions. Dropped on the schoobus, across to the pump station and back, hitting almost everything in between. I was the one guy diving wet.

Hey Grunzster,

I was kinda thinking that, but I wasn't quite sure. I don't have the best memory for faces & names. I had looked back and found that dive in my log book before I wrote the question.

Anyway, good seeing you again. While I won't be at the DutchFest this weekend, I look forward to seeing you and meeting some more of the Wreckers this season up at Dutch, at TSC, on the Jersey boats, etc.

I'll try to send some of the Ginnie Springs weather north to help thaw Dutch out for the weekend. It looks like highs in the mid-60s and lows around 40 for my trip this week. Not exactly balmy but not this frigid s*** either. Good luck getting in to Dutch next weekend and safe, happy diving if you do.

Joe