Chicago Diving Party

[jepuskar]

I would like to setup a diving get together in the Chicago area sometime this summer. We can make a long weekend out of it and dive Lake Michigan (wreck diving O_RING), Haigh Quarry, and maybe a couple other sites in the area.

I'm talking diving the 1st part of the day and partying the 2nd half, maybe go out to dinner and then go out and drink/dance whatever.

This will a good chance for all of us to meet and I think Chicago is a great place, as people from the West and East coasts could come out also. It will be a Scubaboard get together.

Natasha might be able to help some people out.....possibly..she doesnt know im offering her services..hehehe

If I get some good feedback on it I will pursue this more and get something all setup.

What do you all think?

Jason

[o2 clean]

This is something I would be interested in doing. Once you have the date set up, let me know ASAP! :)

[jepuskar]

I bet you I know why the top dolphin is smiling. ;)

[O-ring]

Sorry, going to have to exercise option #1 on this one...

Seriously though...what dates are you looking at? Maybe I can make it...sounds fun..

[MikeFerrara]

Chicago isn't too far for me.

[jepuskar]

Thats cool!

I figured people in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa, Illinois, and Tennessee could easily drive up for the weekend. Southwest has excellent fares right now to Midway for people who need to fly....let me look on a calender and get something picked out. That way some people can commit and then others will most likely follow and this could actually turn into a big event.

I'll post tentative dates later on tonight.


Jason

[caymaniac]

Why don't you have a get together at Our World Underwater somewhere?
Its coming up in April.
Caymaniac:eek:

[jepuskar]

April 25-27 are the dates......it will be in Rosemont, IL which is right by O'Hare.


www.ourworldunderwater.com

I'm not sure people coming from far away would 'fly' for this. If I was going to California I would want to dive not go to some convention hall.

[O-ring]

They are planning a MI wreck diving trip but might be able to combine their trip with yours...

[Natasha]

I know the dates are always the hardest part of planning any trip.
June is out for me, but July and August are open and the best time to dive here.
It's too cold in April. I will be @ Our World Underwater, but I don't think it's a good time to have this.

Is the July 4th weekend a good thing or bad?

[kalvyn]

Just make it on a weekend the Cubs are in town... that way I can kill two birds with one trip. :)

Hmmm... the Cards are in town over 4th of July weekend, now that would be cool!

Jimmie

[jepuskar]

Natasha, picking the dates is not the problem...its getting people to actually like the dates is the problem. ;)

I do agree that July and August are the months to do this in though.

Personally, I think July 4th weekend is fine, but I'm sure several others would disagree.

How bout July 18-21? Anyone?

[MgicTwnger]

Sounds good to me. Anyone up for booking a charter on one of those days?

[O-ring]

You ain't gonna make everyone happy, so I would just pick a date that works for you guys and the majority and go with it.

I can't do July 4 - Tyler Moon will be doing terrible things to me that week, but I could probably make July 18-21.

[ckharlan66]

Keep us posted some of the KPP might be able to make it up.

Chad

[O-ring]

ckharlan66 once bubbled...
Keep us posted some of the KPP might be able to make it up.

Chad
A chance to dive with the famous KPP...I can hardly contain myself. Bring all your Gavins so I can try one!

[ScubaScott]

and I'm starting holidays that week. Its a bit of a drive, but when you live here, everythings a "bit of a drive"

I think I'm in.......

SS

[ckharlan66]

O-ring once bubbled...

A chance to dive with the famous KPP...I can hardly contain myself. Bring all your Gavins so I can try one!

Gavin can't make it he has to work that day. :D

Chad

[Big-t-2538]

I think if I commit to the wreck diving in AUG, I'm not going to be allowed to commit to partying in Chi-town...though if I can talk the little lady into going up to chi-town for a stop by the Chop-house....maybe this is a possibility.....

mmmm...drinking...diving...steak...does it get any better?

[nitroxbabe]

Sounds like fun! Charter away -

So far as I know, July is relatively clear for me. Navy Pier usually has some spectacular fireworks for the 4th, don't they... could be fun.

Let me know the dates so I can put it on my calendar. It would be me + hubby, so add 2 to your list.

[reefraff]

Our World Underwater (http://www.ourworldunderwater.com)
D2D Surface Interval

Saturday, April 26, 2003
5:00 PM (CT)

Knuckles Sports Bar
Rosemont, Illinois
(inside the Hyatt Regency O'Hare (http://ohare.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml) )

Every year there is a group of divers from "that other board" that gets together for a session of beer and bullsh*t on Saturday during the OWU show. Last year there were 30 or so that dropped by, we had a few beers and a bunch of fun. It's very casual and has been going on for several years - some folks leave around 8:00 to go to the film show, some organized a trip to a local restaurant for dinner, I don't think anyone ended up sleeping on the floor of the bar.

They're a good bunch - you'll like them, they'll like you and they definitely won't mind having their party crashed.

Steven

[jepuskar]

Ok, July 18-21st are the dates I am gonna go with. July 4th is not a good time as some people have family gatherings etc around that time, and April is going to be too cold and not much fun topside.

I'm up for anything, there are nice wreck dives off the Chicago coastline, and I hear some really nice ones up by Milly-Walk-aaaa
There are a couple quarries in the area also.


So its set. If you have questions let me know.

:)

[o2 clean]

Jep,

July 18th - 21st works for me. Count me in!!! :D

Also, I need to rent my gear.... do you know of a good place to do so?

[ppo2_diver]

July 18-20 works for me. Just let me know where we will be diving and I will be there!!!!

Duane

[jepuskar]

Yes, my LDS has a pool and plenty of gear to rent....im pretty sure you can try out the gear for free in their pool....

its about 40 minutes SW of downtown.

[O-ring]

Which operator, what wrecks, etc.?? Just curious and wanted to do some poking around...still trying to decide whether to fly or drive, etc..

[jepuskar]

We will dive whatever sounds good...

I know a guy who works for Chicago Dive Charters..leaves from Burnham Harbor (downtown area)..I can give him a call and reserve a day or 2...but i think we have plenty of time for this part.

[O-ring]

jepuskar once bubbled...
We will dive whatever sounds good...

I know a guy who works for Chicago Dive Charters..leaves from Burnham Harbor (downtown area)..I can give him a call and reserve a day or 2...but i think we have plenty of time for this part.
I figured as much, but wanted to get it started since we are going to have to work with a lot of people on choosing sites (temps, depths, etc.).

[jepuskar]

Well, I would just leave it at Lake Michigan and possibly a quarry for now.......A 7mm, hood/gloves or a drysuit would probably be suitable material no matter where we go.

Weather conditions on that weekend will dictate alot also.

[nitroxbabe]

No, please, no quarries - I've seen enough school buses and blue gills for a lifetime already....

Let's see some REAL wrecks!

Maybe we could have a day for intermediate+ divers (more challenging wrecks, but within recreational limits), and a day for less advanced divers (quarry, shallow wrecks, whatever).

Personally I'll skip the quarry but would be interested in any wrecks I can do without deco time.

[sillygrendel]

The great lakes is supposed to have some of the best wreck diving in the world!! And I should have a newly minted Cave I card to play with by then :D

[Natasha]

Not sure yet, as my Mom is saying she wants to come in from out of town now .. in July of course.
I'll jump on at the last minute if there is still space.

[O-ring]

sillygrendel once bubbled...
The great lakes is supposed to have some of the best wreck diving in the world!! And I should have a newly minted Cave I card to play with by then :D
Don't let any of the GUE folks hear you boasting about that cave card...they might sneak up on you, turn off your gas, knock my mask off, and start a real charlie foxtrot!

Oh, and I am with nitroxbabe on the quarries thing...I have 3 within driving distance of my house and I ain't driving halfway across the country to see another.

[sillygrendel]

O-ring once bubbled...

Don't let any of the GUE folks hear you boasting about that cave card...they might sneak up on you, turn off your gas, knock my mask off, and start a real charlie foxtrot!

Oh, and I am with nitroxbabe on the quarries thing...I have 3 within driving distance of my house and I ain't driving halfway across the country to see another.

Laugh... I guess I can't boast about what I don't have yet!! IF we pass... (and I'm sure they'll do all that to us down there anyway!) It would be a lot of fun to practice in some of those wrecks! Even if we don't it'd be a lot of fun to see those wrecks!

[MgicTwnger]

I dove with these guys last summer: http://www.shipwreckadventures.com/index.html

They go out of Winthrop Harbor (just south of the Wisconsin border). The skipper I dove with, Greg Such, is a wreck diving guru and a nice guy to boot.

[jepuskar]

You guys are right....no quarries.

I wouldn't come half way across the country to dive in some quarry. Lake Michigan is the featured attraction here.

If anybody wants to research into wrecks you wanna dive go right ahead. Now is the time to get your word in. I definetly think we should do a dive leaving from Burnham Harbor because its great scenery of the Chicago coastline.

How is this for a tentative schedule:

Friday Night: Dinner downtown...followed by whatever.

Saturday: Lake Michigan diving off of Chicago.
Rest of Saturday: We could do dinner downtown again, barb-b-que/pool party at my house (my dad makes the best ribs you will ever have), or whatever else sounds good.

Sunday: Lake Michigan diving near Milwaukee, WI or another area up that way.

Jason

[MgicTwnger]

Jason,

Your schedule sounds good to me. If we all agree, I can contact the outfit I mentioned in my post (Shipwreck Adventures) and see about a charter on that Sunday. They can go out of either Winthrop Harbor or Milwaukee. They have two boats, one takes 4, the other 6.

[notabob]

I might be able to swing this, now that I think about it, if things work out. I'd only be able to dive the Sat, though. If I do make it out that way, I'll need to be back in Grand Rapids on Sunday. But it might actually be fun meeting more of you characters... :)

-Roman.

[nitroxbabe]

Tizi Melloul
531 N. Wells St

I've been dying to go back to this place, very much fun, especially for a group....

It's Moraccan cuisine, very good stuff. They have a circular party room complete with low tables and floor cushions which can be booked for a larger group...We'd have to inquire about capacity but we squeezed over 20 people in there before...

Sound good to anybody?

[MikeFerrara]

Chicago Dive Charters runs right out of Burnham. Enterprise Marine has access to some better wrecks they run out of Waukegan (sp?).

[O-ring]

MikeFerrara once bubbled...
Chicago Dive Charters runs right out of Burnham. Enterprise Marine has access to some better wrecks they run out of Waukegan (sp?).
http://www.captaindales.com/divecharter.htm
and
http://www.chicagodivecharter.com/

What temps are we looking at? Which wrecks would you recommend?

[MikeFerrara]

I'm guessing surface temps in the 70's in mid July. The shallow wrecks 40 or 50 ft and above won't be much colder. Down deep it's always cold in the lake. I like the Wisconsin (100 to the deck and 130 to the bottom). The Milwalkee and prinswillem are good but I haven't been on them (above 100ft). I also don't know how to spell them.

For shallower warm Chicago dives the Illinois, Wells bert and Rotarian are some of the standards and are good dives if you haven't seen them. Like everywhere else the deeper ones are the most intact.

There are a bunch and I don't know most of them. The best bet is to see who is diving and what the're interested in then talk to the Captains.

[Green Mountain]

Hi jepuskar, This sounds like fun. Our company doesn't allow vacations in May, June and July but maybe I could be "sick of working" on the Fiiday before and the Monday after.

Is there any clean but cheap lodging in the area. This is another thing to consider.

[jepuskar]

There are plenty of choices for lodging all over the area. It looks like we are going to end up diving off of the Wisconson border atleast 1 day, so it might be best if you looked for lodging in between Chicago and Milwaukee. I'm sure the rates in that area would be better than downtown Chicago.

JP

[reefraff]

I've not been on the board much lately, but have this weekend penciled in on my calendar. If we're going to do it we need to get rolling before all the charter slots are taken. By way of suggestions:

Friday, July 18
Dinner somewhere in Chicago. Tizi Melloul on Wells St downtown was suggested.

Saturday, July 19
Up early for the drive to Milwaukee to dive the Prinz Willem (the "Willie") and one more to be determined. It's a 260ft steel hull that went down in 1954 and has dug itself a nice hole in the marl - visibility is a little erratic due to moderate shifting currents, but this is one of the classic wrecks. About 45ft to the wreck, 65ft to the bottom and 90ft to the bottom of the hole. Water temps on the bottom will be in the mid-40's. Probably diving from the Reef Diver, the smaller (faster/better) sibling to Gerry Guyer's Len-Der.

Sunday, July 20
Morning charter from Chicago to the St. Mary and one more to be determined. The St. Mary is a 115ft wooden schooner that went down in 1860. She lies in about 105ft of water and is remarkably well preserved. Although partially collapsed, there is a lot of stuff to see. I'd recommend that we try to book space on the Kohana - it's fast enough to make the kind of long haul comfortable for six divers.

Monday, July 21
Bye, bye!

[scubagrl]

...I can't believe that this is the first I've read of this grand event.

Count me in (if it indeed ends up being in July), and Jep if you need assistance with a boat in the Milwaukee area let me know.

[Juls64]

I know my local dive club has a cookout/dive party at Pearl Lake on 4th of July.

Juls

[MgicTwnger]

I'm really looking foward to this one. Jepuskar, are you booking the charters? Do you need deposit $$?

[Kat]

I just came across this thread. Can't make Sat. July 19th, but would love to dive on the 20th. Hope we go w/ Shipweck Adventures in Winthrop Harbor - Greg Such was my instructor f/ OW. I haven't seen him since 'Our World Underwater', 2 years ago.

If your looking f/ a place for drinking & Karaoke, there's a place in Schaumburg called Dawn's Club Tropic. Very casual Key West atmosphere w/ a great deck over looking a little lake.

[Walter]

If someone local will organize this trip, I'll go.

[reefraff]

This was jepuskar's idea originally and I don't want to step on his toes by taking this over. He's still around and knows that this is back on the burner, let's see if he's still interested/able to set it up. If we don't hear from him sorta soon I'll take a stab at it.

Steven

[Kat]

I'd be glad to help out, as well. Hey Jason, jump in here & update us.

[Juls64]

Has it ever been brought up to start a Chicagoland NDI Chapter?

[MgicTwnger]

Juls64 once bubbled...
Has it ever been brought up to start a Chicagoland NDI Chapter?

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[scubagrl]

I'd be glad to help out, as well. Hey Jason, jump in here & update us.

Kat, Jep PMd me yesterday and said that he's too busy to arrange this, so he said Reefraff has taken over...

[reefraff]

Jepuskar's schedule (and, perhaps, intelligence) prohibit him from putting the rest of this together, so I'm going to take a stab at it. I'll be in touch with the charter operators I mentioned in my post a few days ago to try and set up the dives indicated, so if anyone has any suggestions or objections, now is the time.

Once the information is available, I will post the particulars for the dives. If anyone that wants to participate needs gear or a place to sleep, I'll take those issues on one-by-one. I thought it would be nice to spend several meals together, but I'd like to be flexible about monopolizing everyone's time 24 hours a day. Getting to and from Chicago will be left up to the participants, but getting any visitors around Chicago we can work on together.

This will need to happen quickly and everyone should be prepared to put some money on the barrel head. We'll see what the charters say, but I think they're going to want to see some cash before they'll hold the seats for us. I hope to have some concrete information available by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

Gotta go - we're diving in the morning and I haven't packed yet.

Steven

[Natasha]

Darn, a Chicago chapter, just when I'm moving to Texas!
Yep, I wish we would have done this a year ago. We tried, actually, but it just didn't happen.
Anyway, have fun everyone.
I'll be moving to Houston June 6th 2003.
PS. Steven I know you can do it all!

[Kat]

Reefraff,
I trust your judgement on picking the wrecks to dive. As I mentioned before, I can only dive on Sunday. There maybe 2 of us, if I can talk my boyfriend into it. A deposit will be no problem, to hold our spots.
I'd be glad to help you out in anyway you might need. Getting local hotel info & prices, restaurant ideas, transportation (carpools) Feel free to delegate, as this might turn out to be a rather large project.

[reefraff]

:thumb:
So, who wants to go diving in Chicago/Milwaukee this summer? Long discussed, it’s time to put your intentions to the test. Here’s a chance to take the plunge in Southern Lake Michigan – 4 dives, 2 days, meet some scubaboard types and have tons of fun…it’s a small party because I really want to make sure it happens, if all goes well I’m sure that there will be more opportunities in the future!

Saturday, July 19th
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Two dives, 2pm departure, $80.00 per person if we fill all six seats on the boat.

Dive #1: The Prinz Willem V (the “Willie”)
Depth to Wreck: 45 feet
Depth to Bottom: 60 feet
Maximum Depth: 95 feet

The Willie was a 258 foot Dutch freighter headed home from Milwaukee with a miscellaneous cargo in October 1954 when she collided with another vessel under tow. Today the Willie sits on the bottom of Lake Michigan about 3 miles off the coast of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is one of the most popular wreck sites in the southern basin. The bottom is heavy clay marl and the mild currents have dug a hole about 25 feet deep that the Willie has settled into, listing heavily to her starboard side. For those with penetration training (really – this ship has killed a number of divers that thought they could macho it out) this is a great wreck with lots of passageways and silt and all that good stuff. For those without penetration training, this is a great wreck with huge open holds and lots of nooks and crannies to check out without putting anything between you and the surface.

Dive #2: The Dredge 906 (a/k/a the “No. 6 Dredge)
Depth to Wreck: 30 feet
Depth to Bottom: 75 feet

The 906 was a large crane barge that capsized during a storm in May 1956 taking nine members of her crew to the bottom with her. The wreck now sits upside down on the bottom, held up by the crane, with equipment and debris scattered across the bottom beneath her. This is a great wreck for new and intermediate wreck divers – lots of pass-throughs and easy twilight zones that don’t require any line.

Sunday, July 20th
Chicago, Illinois
Two dives, 2pm departure, $90.00 per person if we fill all six seats on the boat.

Dive #1: The St. Mary
Depth to Wreck: 90 feet
Depth to Bottom: 105 feet

A 120 foot wooden schooner built in 1848, the St. Mary foundered in a storm one night in September 1860 with a loss of seven lives. Carrying a load of pig iron, she wasn’t rediscovered until recently and is one of my favorite sites in Chicago. Partially collapsed, she isn’t a penetration dive, but has a fair amount of her original gear still intact, including capstans, deadeyes and even some rigging. Some say that this wreck might not be the St. Mary, but ultimately who cares – it’s still a great one.

Dive #2: The Lady Elgin
Depth to Wreck:
Depth to Bottom: 55 feet

A 252 foot wooden sidewheel steamer that collided with the Augusta during the same storm that saw the St. Mary founder, the Lady Elgin was bound for Chicago with 400 members of the Milwaukee Militia. Nearly 300 of the passengers lost their lives when the ships boilers blew up after the Augusta sliced her engine room open. Discovered just recently, the ship has been the subject of intense litigation between the salvor that discovered her, Harry Zych, and various governmental agencies trying to wrest control of her. Largely smashed by storms, she lies in three distinct fields and there is a lot of pottery and other miscellaneous stuff to be found (and left) on the bottom.

Important stuff:
Reservations for seats will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, with preference given to folks that want to dive both dates. As soon as I have enough bodies to fill the charters I will send the winners a congratulatory email with instructions on where to send your money. Money not received within 10 days will mean that your seat goes to a standby diver. I’m setting this up, but I’m not making any money from it and will ask that you send two checks in payment, one for each of the charter operators. If you have any questions, post them here or PM me and I will get back to you as quickly as possible – but it may take a day. Complete instructions on how to get to the charters and so forth will be sent out to the participants.

General conditions: Lake Michigan below about 50 feet is cold year round, drysuits are a good idea but certainly not required. Bottom temperatures will be in the low to mid-40s for these dives, even though the top water may be getting close to 70 degrees by mid-July. Storms can and do crop up and surface conditions include short-cycle waves that are routinely 2 – 4 feet. Visibility is normally somewhere about 30 feet, occasional good days can see it approach 50 feet, bad days can see it drop to 10 or less. Zebra mussels, a/k/a Nature’s razor blades, infest everything, so heavy gloves and kneepads are in order. On the other hand, you never have to wash the salt-water off your gear.

If you need it, gear is fairly easy to rent, nitrox and argon is readily available and He mixes can be had with some advance notice, although we won’t be going deep enough to really justify it. If you need gear, let me know what and I’ll try to help you make the arrangements.

If you’re coming from out of town (way cool) please remember that Lake Michigan may be smaller than the ocean, but still can kick up pretty good and cancellations are always a possibility. I would really love to have some out-of-towners, but I can’t promise that the weather will smile upon us. If the charters cancel, you will get your charter money back, but I can’t help with your other travel and hotel expenses. PM me and I can help with some suggestions for places to stay, how to rent gear, and whatnot. The meal program will be determined by the participants, but if you come from out of town I will surely see to it that you don’t have to eat alone. If we don’t have any out-of-town participants, I’m still up for at least a Saturday night yeehaw, if anybody cares to join me. Tizi Melloul would be fine, but I don’t really care where.

The charters going to hold these dates for us for about a week before they’re going to want to hear from me, so if you’re interested, act fast! Let's get wet together this summer.

Steven Anderson
Chicago, Illinois

[MgicTwnger]

Looking foward to meeting everyone.

[Kat]

Put me down for 2 divers on Sunday July 20th.

Since we are only diving one day, let me know if we make the cut. I'll get payment out to you ASAP.

It's too bad I can't make Saturdays dive, but will try & hook up with you all for dinner & drinks that night.

[reefraff]

Saturday Dive, July 19th, Milwaukee
Reefraff
MgicTwngr
Nitroxbabe
Mr. Nitroxbabe
Seat Available
Seat Available

Saturday Dinner
It's looking like we're going to be an all-local crew except for MgicTwngr whose coming to town from Springfield. Let's show our downstate brethren a little Chicago hospitality (hey, stop laughing) and share a meal with the poor sodbuster. :)

Sunday Dive, July 20th, Chicago
Reefraff
MgicTwnger
Nitroxbabe
Mr. Nitroxbabe
Kat (1)
Kat (2)

Hopefully there is someone up Milwaukee way that wants a couple of seats with us on the Saturday dive, otherwise we either have to pay up for the empty seats or we get someone who wants to dive both days and Kat slips off the bubble.

Let's give this a few more days before we start getting excited.

Steven

[MgicTwnger]

reefraff once bubbled...

It's looking like we're going to be an all-local crew except for MgicTwngr whose coming to town from Springfield. Let's show our downstate brethren a little Chicago hospitality (hey, stop laughing) and share a meal with the poor sodbuster. :)



I may live in Springfield now, but I'm from New Jersey. I'll bust some #^&*# sod for ya!:D

[Kat]

So Jepuskar started this great diving trip, then was unable to put it together. Now I see he's not even diving with us.

Wassup:confused:

[Walter]

I'd love to join you, but I'm not coming for one day. Why dive from two cities? Why not do both days from either Chicago or Milwaukee?

[Kat]

Walter, don't let me hold you up from diving 2 days. I live here & can dive Lake Michigan any time. I wont feel bad if I get bumped out. Honest.

[reefraff]

...you've got a couple of them waiting for you.

Steven

[reefraff]

MgicTwnger
Nitroxbabe
Kat
Walter

Please PM me asap with an email address that I can use to send you info about the trip.

Thanks!

Steven

[Kat]

Reefraff, I had a couple PM's. Thanks for telling me, my pop ups never alerted me. I sent you a PM & will give you a call on 5-15-03

Kat

[reefraff]

For the 2003 Great Scubaboard Midwest Dive Adventure:

Diving Saturday afternoon, July 19th, from Milwaukee aboard the Reef Diver to the Willie and the No.9 Dredge.
Diving Sunday afternoon, July 20th, from Chicago aboard the Kohana to the St. Mary & the Lady Elgin.

Two days, four dives, $170.00. If you're interested, we're gathering money now, so let me know!

If you can't make it for the dives, we're planning a dinner Saturday evening in Chicago, details to follow...

This is going to be a blast!

Steven

[Walter]

I arrive at O'Hare on Friday at 9:50 AM and depart from O'Hare Monday at 6:00 PM. That should give me time to off gas before flying.

Steven, the check is in the mail.

Now I need to find my cold water gloves.

I'm diving for fossils later today, the water temp is 85° F. You guys are welcome to join me.

What are the depths of the planned dives? Number 9 or number 6?

[reefraff]

You said:

I arrive at O'Hare on Friday at 9:50 AM and depart from O'Hare Monday at 6:00 PM. That should give me time to off gas before flying.
We need to discuss your local transportation arrangements. I also need to work at least part of Friday and Monday (gotta support the diving monkey), how good are you at occupying yourself in a strange city for a few hours?


Steven, the check is in the mail.
I'll let you know when it arrives.


Now I need to find my cold water gloves.
Most folks seem to feel the effects of the cold in their fingers before anywhere else, that's for sure. Heavy gloves with long gauntlets are a help. So is a little heat pack in each palm.

I'm diving for fossils later today, the water temp is 85° F. You guys are welcome to join me.
And we're still diving for popsicles. Or like popsicles? At shallower depths the water has finally climbed into the low 40's.


What are the depths of the planned dives? Number 9 or number 6?
Saturday, July 19th

Dive #1: The Prinz Willem V (the “Willie”)
Depth to Wreck: 45 feet
Depth to Bottom: 60 feet
Maximum Depth: 95 feet (the ship is sitting in a hole)

Dive #2: The Dredge 906 (a/k/a the “No. 6 Dredge)
Depth to Wreck: 30 feet
Depth to Bottom: 75 feet

Sunday, July 20th

Dive #1: The St. Mary
Depth to Wreck: 90 feet
Depth to Bottom: 105 feet

Dive #2: The Lady Elgin
Depth to Wreck: 40 feet?
Depth to Bottom: 55 feet

Steven

[Walter]

Steven,

I appreciate everything you've done. I certainly don't expect you to take me from and to the airport nor you you need to entertain me.

Diving was great at Venice Beach (http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27713).

[reefraff]

You're officially official - thanks!

Steven

[MgicTwnger]

My sod is busted and I'm ready to dive!:fork:

[reefraff]

You're officially official, too. Thanks!

Steven

[MikeFerrara]

Hey is there any room left in this thing?

[reefraff]

We've got one seat left for both Sat & Sun and you would be a great addition to the gang, If you want in PM me with any questions and I'll get you the details and address to send your deposit to.

Steven

[reefraff]

You're officially official. Thanks.

Which leave one seat open for both dives.

Steven

[MgicTwnger]

I'll be staying in Antioch for the weekend. Is there anyone I could hook up with on Saturday for a lift to and from Milwaukee? I'll be coming up Saturday morning and can meet with you somewhere in the 'burbs. I'm not very familiar with the area, me being a sod buster and all.:confused:

[reefraff]

You're welcome to join me. I'll email you directions and stuff.

Steven


MgicTwnger once bubbled...
I'll be staying in Antioch for the weekend. Is there anyone I could hook up with on Saturday for a lift to and from Milwaukee? I'll be coming up Saturday morning and can meet with you somewhere in the 'burbs. I'm not very familiar with the area, me being a sod buster and all.:confused:

[jepuskar]

I go to Cozumel for 2 weeks and miss out on the bookings for this...


When/where is the dinner going to be? Maybe I can make an appearance.


:rolleyes:

[MgicTwnger]

jepuskar once bubbled...
I go to Cozumel for 2 weeks and miss out on the bookings for this...


When/where is the dinner going to be? Maybe I can make an appearance.


:rolleyes:

Check with reefraff. There might be one seat open on both dives.

[reefraff]

MikeFerrara once bubbled...
Hey is there any room left in this thing?

MikeFerrara - check your PM, please.

Steven

[jepuskar]

I can do the Sunday dive on the 20th.

I was hoping to do the Straits of Mackinac, but if thats not possible...thats ok, Im still in.

Does anyone have any idea what the water temps are going to be at 90+ feet? I only have a 7mm/hood/gloves and i wont be too happy freezing my arse off. :)

Hopefully Reefraff and I get this taken care of...I would love to meet some of you.

Jason

[reefraff]

jepuskar once bubbled...
I can do the Sunday dive on the 20th.

I was hoping to do the Straits of Mackinac, but if thats not possible...thats ok, Im still in.

Does anyone have any idea what the water temps are going to be at 90+ feet? I only have a 7mm/hood/gloves and i wont be too happy freezing my arse off. :)

Hopefully Reefraff and I get this taken care of...I would love to meet some of you.

Jason

I PM'd you - soon as I get your check you're official. One seat (tentatively) remains for the Saturday Milwaukee portion of this adventure...

:cold:
Somewhere around 12 fathoms the temperatures this past weekend dropped from 45F to 42F, so the thermoclines are finally returning. By the time we're diving, the bottom temps will probably be another three or four degrees warmer (about as toasty as it gets) but the topwater will be much warmer.

:lunch:
So how does everyone feel about dinner Saturday? Is there anyone out there that couldn't make the dives that would like to join us?

Steven

[farrakhan]

:confused:

Listen, I know it's a bit late in the game to ask this, but I'm coming to Canada for the month of July, and may be in Chicago that week-end. Have there been any last minute cancellations or are both dives full. I think I would only be interested if both days were available, kind of a long way to travel for one day of diving. Also I remeber last time I was in chicago (Sammy hit his 61st homerun against the dodgers) we ate at a cool little place called Dick's last resort. Would be kind of a fun place to have dinner again. I know I'm not part of this thread or anything, but would love to dive Lake Michigan. I would need to rent a tank as well as a wet suit as I don't think the 3mm I wear in Australia will be adequate. Please let me know as I am eager to fill my trip back home with plenty of diving.

[reefraff]

farrakhan once bubbled...
:confused:

Listen, I know it's a bit late in the game to ask this, but I'm coming to Canada for the month of July, and may be in Chicago that week-end. Have there been any last minute cancellations or are both dives full. I think I would only be interested if both days were available, kind of a long way to travel for one day of diving. Also I remeber last time I was in chicago (Sammy hit his 61st homerun against the dodgers) we ate at a cool little place called Dick's last resort. Would be kind of a fun place to have dinner again. I know I'm not part of this thread or anything, but would love to dive Lake Michigan. I would need to rent a tank as well as a wet suit as I don't think the 3mm I wear in Australia will be adequate. Please let me know as I am eager to fill my trip back home with plenty of diving.

Right now there is only one seat available for the Saturday/Milwaukee dive and the Sunday/Chicago dive is full. If any of the participants should cancel, it will definitely get posted here first, so keep an eye on this thread.

You meet the criteria for being a part of this thread by posting here and are more than welcome - it would be terrific to have a representative from down under join us. If a seat becomes available, getting you some rental gear shouldn't be a problem.

Steven

[Kat]

My boyfriend & I would love to meet up w/ everybody for dinner & drinks on that Saturday. Just post the details: Place, address, time & we'll be there.

[ShiksaRochele]

If you'll let me know where you're going for dinner/drinks, I'll show up for that.

[reefraff]

There has been a cancellation, so one seat is now available on both the Saturday (19th) and Sunday (20th) charters. If needed, we could actually fit two more divers on the Sunday charter. (Kat)

If you want either/both of these seats, they are available on a first come basis. Pipe up here or PM me if you need more information.

Steven

[Kat]

Been away from the board for a while. Due to 2 jobs, a sick parent & some volunteer work that has become a full time job all it's own.

Is dinner still on for Saturday July 19th? Please post all the details. If it's been cancelled, just let me know.

Thanks,
Kat

[MgicTwnger]

Seems that nobody wants to go to downtown Chi. Some people might be going for burgers in Milwaukee after Saturday's dive. Reeraff might have other plans made, but I'm out of the loop since I already have a commitment that night. Hope to meet ya anyways.

[reefraff]

The boat is full on Sunday/Chicago, but Saturday/Milwaukee has two of seven seats still available on a first come, first served basis. It sounds like you and your sweetie could seriously use a break and I know you want to do this...let me know. Ditto anyone else on the board with a last minute interest - if you're a diver and you want to join us on an afternoon dive to the Willie and the Dredge, speak up.

Scheduling problems have moved the dinner on Saturday to Milwaukee - we're stopping at Slim's, a saloon at the corner of Florida and 1st, just around the corner from the charter dock, after the dive. We'll be there after the charter returns us and we stop for some fills, figure around 7:00.

Reservations are not needed for dinner, we'd love to have anyone interested show up. You should be able to spot us - look for a bunch of tattered wharf rats with log books.

Steven

[nitroxbabe]

reefraff once bubbled...
You should be able to spot us - look for a bunch of tattered wharf rats with log books.

Steven

Hey! Speak for yourself! I personally plan to be a RUMPLED wharf rat...

See you tomorrow! :)