So what are some of you guys winter diving plans?

[texdiveguy]

We have heard of the yearly PADI Spec. Ice Diving program that TxIceDiver offers. Are there any other planned diving schd. over the colder months, (either in wintery conditions or warm tropical locations)....? Could be group or couple or even solo! Just a conversation idea type thread.

 

[Guba]

Well, I'm thinking I need to try Travis or the Comal sometime this fall (last year I attended my niece's OW dives at Travis in December. Not bad at all). Of course, a buddy and I will make our annual pilgramage to Balmorhea sometime in December or January. On a more exotic note, I plan to make a trip to either Cozumel or Florida in the early spring. Cozumel is familiar and a good value, but I've been looking at the Spree and the Dry Tortugas lately. I may have to give that a try. Anyone have any good inside info on that one?
My wife and I are headed to Belize in June, so I'll have to get a couple of dives in there for sure, but that's not part of the original question, is it? (not quite winter diving, huh)

 

[carrielsal]

I guess I'll just be out here in Travis practicing with my new gear. I have a teenager in high school, so no trips for me. I'm hoping I can go ice diving in Feb.

Carrie

 

[scubashawn123]

Volunteering at Aquarena when I am not diving Lake Travis.

What a great selection to keep diving all year round.

Thanksgiving morning dive, and New Years day dive.

Lots and lots of dive opportunities in the Austin Area.

Let it RAIN

 

[texdiveguy]

Bill, I am enjoying reading your book Out of the Blue Devotional, I have shared many of the experiences you have written about. Great read.

 

[Phreatic Fanatic]

Hi Tex,

I've been out here in Florida teaching and diving for the past week, and I will be doing more of the same through November 22nd.

 

[ZzzKing]

Blackbeard Cruise out of Freeport. Leaving the day after Thanksgiving. The best part about a sailboat is that the port engine won't blow up the day before we get there.

I also plan some dark cold dives sometime soon in southern Oklahoma. Interested in joining in Alan?

 

[Foo]

Blackbeard Cruise out of Freeport. Leaving the day after Thanksgiving.

Sounds interesting! Where does this cruise go? You diving?

As far as winter diving plans, the Foos are a bit in limbo at the time- really hoping for a blue water holiday gig, but will need to find a good deal. Will most likely go to Aquarena at least during Christmas holidays, but hope to go sooner...

Our gear is in storage depressed while living in a couple of rv's... yes, his and hers. Frank, the ProwlerWagon just wasn't quiiiiite big enough to keep me from having a melt-down about 3 weeks in... has now been 3.5 months. FooMan is smart though, he figured out that the way to keep your wife happy in a 30-ft travel trailer is to put her in a 20-ft one first.

This rain has been a lot of fun- I get to go mudding every morning as I leave for work! Only been stuck once, go me. I never like to complain about rain, though- droughts skeer me.

We are finally hiring a builder this week or next, and should at least have a shop soon- will put an rv in there for bedroom and kitchen, hook up a washer and dryer and build a full-sized bathroom in it- what more could a girl want??? FooMan is spoiling me.

We have dug one pond, and plan a larger one very soon, down in the valley. The deer are feeding across the pond every morning when I wake up... saw a 6, maybe 8 pt buck this morning- before then, the only bucks we saw on the place were on the computer from the game camera in the woods.

Yes, we do have a wrecked car in the yard. No lie... makes one hell of a storage room. The classiest part of the whole setup, however, is the refrigerator on a pallet, under an easy-up tarp. You think I'm kidding?

You might be a redneck if...

Sorry for the thread hijack, just thought I'd update while I'm here.

 

[Guba]

Thanks Alan. I'm glad you're enjoying the book. It was certainly my hope while writing it that other divers would identify with the experiences. Wonderful to hear that's the case.

Hey, did you make that trip Sunday to Lake Elmer Thomas? the report was pretty good concerning vis. One of these days we should try to get in a couple of dives there and then go get a buffalo burger at Meers.

Again, much obiged, amigo!
Bill

 

[Guba]

zzzking...that'll be a great trip. Let us have a report when you get back.

Here's a sob story for you: last year I actuall WON a 7 day trip on Blackbeard's. Yup, free gratis. Only bad part was the only time I could even THINK about going was about two weeks before the standardized TAKS tests (I'm a teacher). Even though my admin supported me going, I just couldn't force myself to do it. Of course, I'm still kicking myself over that decision, but I'll get over it with time (I guess). Oh, well, the Bahamas will still be there in the summer, right?