Gilboa Sept 28-30, '07 Fall Meet-n-Greet planning thread. Come dive with us!

[erparamedic]

Ummm, I probably can't get up there until Sunday. We're building a bridge for my in-laws that weekend and I'm hoping to get done in time to go up Saturday night or Sunday morning.

You could bring the dogs, come out and help us build the bridge on Saturday then maybe I could get Bruce to watch all the dogs while we go dive You could pick them up on the way home Sunday, it's on the way if you take I-70
Ber :lilbunny:

Oh, my, Ber! That's tempting! However, my beagle would drive Bruce batty! Seriously, I think she's a brain-damaged beagle! Dolly, on the other hand, would be excited. LOL I wouldn't even consider taking the beagle to the quarry... she's bark the ENTIRE time.

Well, goodness... when am I ever gonna meet you!?! Hey! I need a dive buddy tomorrow... BS? LOL

 

[wb416]

Speaking of Bridges... Mike left a message on my cell the other day. He said the road to the quarry was under construction. He said they were raising a dip in the road and it effected coming from the west, but the only dip I'm aware of is the creek just to the east (toward town of Gilboa). I've not had time to call Mike and clarify, so someone may want to check first.

 

[trucker girl]

There is totally a dip just before the entrance to Gilboa. So, those of us who come up from exit 134 will have to turn right at the dead end like usual, then go to... road 5? The next road over- turn left, go up to 224 then turn right again at the Giant Bull- there is a big statue of a Bull on the corner. Go into town to the stop sign? I think it's a stop sign. Then turn right. The entrance is a ways down on the left.

That's if the road is closed.

Don't know if I'll be home or available Saturday, but if I am, I'm thinking about ditching Gilboa and going to Portage instead.

Last time I was there, they were not allowing people to drop their gear off an park in the main lot. You HAD to pay to park if you wanted to drop off your gear.

The parking situation back there was really bad- IMO. Maybe it's always like that- I dunno. But the "no drop off" policy sure can't help any.

I may call up there tomorrow just to let them know my opinion- in a non-irrational, anti-Gilboa kind of way.

I've been spoiled by being able to dive there on weekdays rather than weekends. The crowds really freak me out.

I promise I'm not turning into one of the anti-Gilboa divers- I still love that place. I'm just bothered by the new policy- wb, if they change it, please let me/us know. Thanks.

 

[Jchoby]

hmm I have not heard of the parking thing yet.....kind of harsh. Oh well, I always park there anyway. Ug I need to get up and change the channel....I have been watching a Japanese station for 20 minutes. I must be in CA. We'll U at the M-n-G

 

[wb416]

I didn't know when they implemented it... not something he asked for on the website... when it comes to crowds, I tend to be a more of an "off season" diver at Gilboa anyway... only reason I've been there so much this summer is I've met quite of few of you guys and had a ball...

 

[Divin'Papaw]

wb416 and TG ... thanks for the heads up regarding construction and the likely detour. I'll be sure and check with them later in the week before I leave Fri morning.

 

[Randy43068]

Gilboa detour:
Old 224 as you approach from the west is closed just before the quarry. If you take regular 224 from Ottawa turn on either short street going through the village of Gilboa. Old 224 is open going west to the quarry. If however, you forget and take old 224 out of Ottawa you will run into a road closed sign. Turn left (north) to the first stop sign then turn right. You'll now be on 224. I think it's the next road, turn right just before you see the "steer" out front of the village of Gilboa.

 

[erparamedic]

TG and Randy... I'll have to print your posts out and take them with us on Saturday. Thanks for the directions!

 

[Randy43068]

TG and Randy... I'll have to print your posts out and take them with us on Saturday. Thanks for the directions!

It's not a big deal actually. Just stay on 224, not OLD 224 if you're coming in from the west.

Turn right at the bull (or the street just before the bull, two streets take you there) and go past the road closed sign as you drive west toward the quarry. In fact, a smaller sign is attached to the road closed sign telling you the road is open to the quarry.

419-456-3300 to call the quarry in the unlikely event you get lost or need more info.

 

[trucker girl]

Update on the parking situation at Gilboa.

I just had a really good talk with Jodi and Mike about the parking charges. I feel a lot better about it. They do not want people who don't pay the "day pass" to put their gear up on top of the hill (in the area where all the cars park). The folks who park in the main lot are supposed to put their gear on the platforms- down on the tables.

I explained to them that I never knew that's what we were supposed to do and that helps me understand why they decided to change their policy recently. They don't have this set in stone, but until they can find a better solution, that's what they are doing. They're open to suggestions- but unable to provide the manpower to police "the rules" better. Maybe we need to do a little self policing to keep the prices down.

I suggested that maybe making the parking rules more clear would be a good idea. I never knew I was supposed to put my gear down below. I was part of the problem- but I didn't know what the problem was!

They have also had folks who have a main lot pass and "forget" to move their car back to the main lot.

So- I encourage anyone who has issues with Gilboa to call up and talk to them about it. It sure beats whining and complaining. I'm glad I called.