BSC Wed. Night Dive - Aug 31, 2005

It was a windy and threatening weather evening with the remnants of Katrina moving NE through and past our region but we forged on to Upper A for another Wednesday night dive. FYI - September 28 is the last Wednesday dive for the year. JoeD, Daniel, Mark Seymour, JZ, Vivian, Anthony and I had Upper A all to ourselves. Joe led the group past the Pennsy to the dozer where Mark and JZ split and headed down. I followed. Amid much confusion between the apparent dive plan and the heading of our leader Mark, I crossed paths with Mark and JZ as they turned south along the hole to return to the deep boat, contrary to my N heading to the deep deep boat. Since I was carrying my camera rig I carried on to the stairs and the deep deep boat. It was dark as expected but with no torch my eyes adjusted just fine. I like taking in the landscape in its natural form versus being blinded by the small spot of a dive light (I had a light strapped to my rig in the event I actually needed it for something). The camera did a good job of capturing the clarity of the water at depth as well as the cloud resting peacefully inside the deep deep boat. An old pipe flange lay quietly atop the pump house in the hole. About 20' of the RR tracks on the north wall are exposed and remain firmly attached to the RR ties that bore the weight of the old steam shovel. The flats at 95' to the NNE of the dozer remain very clear and peaceful with a kaleidoscope of swirls painting the bottom. The lawnmower reappeared after being hefted by a lift bag from the hole a couple of years ago. While I had plenty of air, my deco obligation initiated my ascent toward the Bowl for a swim past the Pennsy to the cruisers below the steep path. I swear I have never seen the caterpillar that is bound tightly to the top rail of the westerly cruiser. It is always a nice safety swim around the west wall of the Bowl through what I call the aquarium. The bluegills are everywhere along with curious catfish, bass and the occasional crappie. For those directionally challenged, an exit monument has been created by unknown divers off gassing at about 18' on the slope below the steep path entry from Upper A. This was a much needed mid-week load of nitrogen to 118ffw for 53 minutes on air. Come out and join us next week. Only four more Wednesday night dives are available in 2005. JoeD, JZ, Daniel, Mark and I stopped by McCleary's Irish Pub in Marietta to trade lies about the night's dive. Now this is off gasing!

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BSC Wednesday night dive - August 31, 2005