Wait, April’s over?!?!

After a layoff for the Easter Holiday, and a weekend of some quick/early yard work, we figured it was about time to get back in the water (Well Todd was in the water last weekend, the rest of us were doing other things, must be nice)  So Todd put the call out on Scared Turtles, and Rob and I volunteered to go with him!   Easiest way to meet was just at Rob’s so 7:00am was the specified time….tough time, but ok...  I went to bed early, I’m not the late night-early riser I once was…We met, packed Rob’s truck and started out to Bethlehem.   After getting there, and securing our space, we ran to Wegman’s for our lunches.

Back to the quarry, and we set up. I had a leaky high pressure hose, and had to change it out (thankfully I had the right parts with me) and we finished setting up. We decided that we’d hit the deeper parts first, then come around the island and figure it out from there… easy enough!   Todd was going to lead this dive, so we went down to the water.

It appeared that several dive classes were there, so we didn’t know what to expect visibility-wise. We finished setting up, and the order was given to drop to 20 feet.  No unexpected bubbles (and NO bubbles from Todd’s MEG) so we were off!   Todd took an interesting course out to the crane, since we usually hit the Trolley first (or slightly to the right of it)  Checking in, all was well, so we headed over to the Trolley. We all went through it, and reconvened at the top of the hill, behind the Trolley. Again everyone was OK, so down the hill we went.  The “Barracuda” looks like it’s getting more rusty and falling apart, but it’s still there.  We turned, and headed over towards the Deuce and a Half, and went up the slight hill. We followed the bottom until we hit the island, and started around the back side of it, taking a nice slow pace, which was actually really relaxing!  At the edge of the island we turned in, and saw a nasty cloud of kicked up bottom (I thought it looked like someone was making snow angels)  So Todd took a wide right around it, as we headed over to the Comet. Rob and Todd went through (well Todd sort of went through, he’s practicing carrying more “bail out” cylinders, and is a tad wide, so he ‘bailed’ on the penetration and went over top) We then wandered up to the platform passing several students coming down to the Comet (most in a vertical position)(I should talk some days), and got out of there pretty fast.  At the platforms, we just slid over, and then found our line to do our safety stop below the exit platform, and we were done!

Deepest Depth: 88 ft.

Duration: 45 Minutes

Coldest Temp: 40º

Not a bad first dive, it was very relaxing!  That trip around the back of the island was really nice and I actually felt really good on this dive, not bad for me this early in the year!  We all had our lunches and contemplated the next dive.  Since I’m not exactly the most accurate navigator, I wasn’t looked upon to lead the next dive, so Rob was charged to lead the beginning, then Todd after a certain point. (since he knew the way)

We dropped in off the same platform, and did our 20ft. check, all systems were go, so we started over towards the platforms, and down past the Comet.  We followed over to the new plane which is starting to look pretty ragged down there with people writing in the filth that’s settled on it. From there Todd took over and we headed over towards the Hellcat. For once the visibility over there was decent, so we were happy about that. I went under the wing and was checking out the propeller area. (since you could actually see it!)  Todd took his next heading and we headed over to the old van. (which is down in between two platforms) I remember seeing that before when we started our dive from the other side of the quarry, and maybe one other time, but didn’t remember the platforms on either side of it. After a trip around that, we followed Todd over to a boat that I honestly don’t remember ever seeing before. (listed on the map as “The Cruiser”!?) ok, new one on me!  (and actually looking at the map I have, that’s about the only thing listed that I don’t think I’ve ever seen except for the “Old Plane” (which is over on the far side of the quarry, and probably not reachable unless you have a scooter, or start on the back side of the quarry) But I know that there are a few other odds and ends on the far side that I’ve never seen …old cars and such) ANYWAY….from that boat we headed over to the school bus and passed that, heading back towards the Comet.  We were all getting cold, so back up to the platforms, and back in to do a safety stop… Rob looks like he was attempting a valve drill, Todd was reading his rebreather display, and I was looking for crayfish….didn’t find any, but I DID mess with a cute little black fish under a rock.  After our safety stop, we popped back out of the water, and we were done!

Deepest Depth:  63 ft.

Duration: 52 minutes

Coldest Temp:  41º

Again, not a bad dive, other than some foot cramps at one point, and about 10-15 minutes before the dive was over, I got this nasty itch between my right eye and my nose, that I could NOT scratch, and it was bugging the hell out of me!  But other than that, I think I did ok!  I seem to have some sort of leak, that I think MAY be the one that’s been in my foot, but since I have a new under garment (that wicks away moisture) it may be pulling more up than I had before….I just looked at my drysuit on the hanger, and I can’t seem to see anything that might be leaking, so I may need to do a leak test on it…so stay tuned on that! 

After packing, we headed back over to Wegman’s for a quick snack, then back home.  Not a bad day, the weather was weird, warm in the morning, then cold in the afternoon, and warm later on.  You didn’t know how to dress.  All I know is when I got back to my house to unpack and hang my gear, I was sweating.

Ok, Not sure when I’ll be out again, I’ll be at a late concert next Saturday afternoon/evening,  so I really don’t feel like attempting to get sleep, and try to get to Dutch Springs to get a table, so I may pass.   But, I will keep you posted one my next adventure, so stay tuned!