IceDiveGreen 12-30-2007 1-12-08

[AandA]

  ;D WOW what a day  ;D

The three of us (Shooter, ArcFlash, and I) met at the landing at 9:00.  Thanks to Nate bringing the trailer and a 4 wheeler getting our stuff out onto the lake was the easy part.  Most of the lake ice was fine, but there was a very wide section of DEEP slush out towards the middle.  Nate did find us a way through it and we were off to the sunken island.  The disadvantage about a sunken island is that they're really not easy ta find by looking around on top of the water.  Note to self (next time bring GPS and mark the dang coordinates). Opening the hole with the new chainsaw went off without any problems, as did setting up the new 10X16 shelter. The others gave me the opportunity to be first diver.  I had some challenges with my first dive as I found that my BC inflator hose was slowly leaking into my BC  .  As for "hand holding"  it would certainly appear that I'm still the one needing the most assistance.  Both of the other divers got plenty of practice getting me into my double wet hoods and fullface mask. 

The dives were amazing though  ;D  ;D

We did locate a SHIPWRECK        . Ahhh an old Spanish Galleon......  :  : and no shipwreck would be complete with out the chest of treasure filled with golden coins.  OK - OK - OK so maybe it wasn't ACTUALLY a Spanish galleon.  I guess it more closely resembled an open bow runabout, with an inboard engine and the lower unit detached and lying in the sand a couple feet away.  And the treasure chest you ask (which I absconded with incidentally) was made of plastic and filled with fishing tackle...  It would appear that the ship had had gone down ta Davy's locker a fair time back.  The license sticker expired in 02.  I really did some good pirate cursing about not bringing my camera and underwater housing.  The visibility was fair to good and was estimated to be about 25-30 feet.  Photos of the wreck would have been pretty nifty.  At one point Nate observed that the keys were still in the ignition.  He tried to turn the key but nothing happened, he said the key was stuck  :  I didn't believe him.... I think he just flooded it  8)  8) 

The general area was littered with anchors, as each of us found one during our dives. I also managed to find a fishing rod (pretty poor shape, but hey treasure is treasure).         

One of the most amazing things was that when I exited the water on my last dive I scented an unbelievable aroma.... Nate had been deep frying some grouper fillets...              If there is one thing I love as much as diving it has got to be eating - - - - ESPECIALLY TASTY HOT GROUPER served hot after an ice dive!!!!

Thanks guys I HAD A GREAT DAY!!

My only question now that I'm back home is....When ta go again