Scuba With Friends
June 12, 2007 - 10:37am — mikesscuba
Location(s)
Dutch Springs
Bethlehem, PA, 18020What is it about scuba diving that makes the sport so much fun? Well, for me it is the chance to be with friends. Being underwater is enjoyable; being underwater with a friend is memorable. You both share an experience which becomes a grand story the more you share that story. I had such a day two weeks ago.
The date was set, the time planned, the people notified. Roughly 15 friends from the Westsylvania Divers club would be making a dive trip to Dutch Springs in Bethlehem, PA. Dutch Springs is to divers what Hershey Park is to a chocolate loving child.
We loaded in the car at the dive shop at around 7am. The drive down was spent sharing dive stories, talking about new dive experiences, and planning the first dive at Dutch Springs. A three hour drive is never long enough when you are sharing a good time. For instance, Erin shared his story of penetrating the helicopter to help another diver put on a weight belt while another diver snapped pictures of the chaotic, comedic scenario. Needless to say a bathroom break was in order as we laughed so hard bladders were hard to control.
We got to Dutch Springs. It was busy but not nearly as busy as most Saturdays. We quickly dragged the gear out of the cars and suited up for the dive. Our first dive; Mike, Erin, Kory, and Becky was on two dive boats. It was Becky’s first dive outside the Blue hole. Depth was 68 feet, water temp was 48 degrees, and viz was 30 feet. Not bad for a first dive. For those of us in Drysuits it was greatJ. Becky had a fun and did very well underwater.The second dive was to the helicopter. An old Sikorsky suspended in the water column at about 60 feet. Erin, Kory, and I dive the helicopter all the time. We always take new divers to the helicopter. It would be equivalent to going to Hershey Park and missing the Chocolate museum ( I love chocolate). Don dove with Erin and I. We penetrated the helicopter and swam all around the exterior of the helicopter by the end of the dive and a long surface swim we were all tired.
We packed up the car. We went to dinner and the rest of the trip home some of us slept while others returned to sharing dive stories including the new dive stories from the day. How can you not have fun when spending time with family and friends.
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Comments
Lake Erie shipwrecks
Hey there, scoobies . . .
I was looking for information on a shipwreck in the Hudson River, and came across this site that lists shipwrecks in the eastern end of Lake Erie. Maybe you can go diving and spend a weekend at one of those great cabins on the lake!
By the way, I did find info on the wreck I was looking for (a boiler explosion!), but that's another story!
Cool!
Two things I want to know.
1. What about this boiler explosion?
2. Are you researching a story about a shipwreck in the Hudson River to do some field work? I know where you could get an able bodied scuba diver. ME!
Thanks for the link for the shipwrecks. A goal of mine is to hit some Erie wrecks. I have got the drysuit and gear for some cold cold cold water diving.
Clay hardens by immobility – men's minds by standing pat. Both lose the power to take new impressions. (Pinchot 1910: 138)
I WANNA GO TO THE KEYS
Great blog, Erin! Good photos and video!
Here's my proposal for Mike.....okay, I didn't write it....sing it Jimmy...
I want to go back to the island,
Where the shrimp boats tie up to the pilin'.
Give me oysters and beer for dinner every day of the year,
And I'll feel fine, I'll feel fine.
Cause I want to be there,
I want to go back down and lie beside the sea there.
With a tin cup for a chalice
Fill it up with good red wine,
And I'm-a chewin' on a honeysuckle vine.
Yeah, now the sun goes slidin' 'cross the water;
Sailboats, they go searchin' for the breeze.
Salt air it ain't thin,
It can stick right to your skin,
And make you feel fine.
It makes you feel fine.
Yes, and now you heard my strange proposal;
Get that Packard up and let's move.
I want to be there before the day
Tries to steal away and leave us behind;
I've made up my mind;" I hate a dirty joke, I do. Unless it's told by someone who, knows how to tell it. " Groucho Marx as Captain Spalding