Just because we didnt have our usual fall getaway in New Braunfels this year doesnt mean we cant escape for a weekend in the Hill Country. And were not just gonna do it, were gonna do it CHUM style!
On Saturday, Oct 19th we are fortunate enough to have a tour of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services San Marcos Fish Hatchery. Well find out first-hand about how the Fish & Wildlife Service uses the hatcheries to manage and restore aquatic species in some of the waters that we dive. They do this as both short-term refuges for species in crisis, as well as long-term propagation and management for native species. But wait, theres more! Our tour will be led by the Fish & Wildlife Services Regional Dive Officer and Chair of their National Diving Control Board, so well get a glimpse into a day in the life of a Fish & Wildlife Service diver and learn about the diving that they do as part of their jobs.
The tour will begin at 10:00 am. That gives you time to get up (early) and drive in from Houston if you don't go up Friday night, but please plan your trip, with a little slack time, to arrive at the hatchery by 9:45 at the latest, so we can all be ready to go. The FWS staff is taking their own personal time out of their weekend to accommodate us, so we owe it to them to be on time. Well get you the address as the date gets closer. We do have a max group size of 20 people for the tour.
After the tour, well grab a quick bite in San Marcos, exact location tbd and then head to the river for some diving!
The San Marcos river is spring fed (originating at Spring Lake, aka Aquarena Springs) and is a pretty constant 72 degrees year round. The conditions are very similar to the Comal, without the tube chutes. Its fairly shallow and a nice, relaxing drift dive. Well probably need to do some coordinating amongst ourselves to have vehicles parked at the exit to shuttle divers and gear back to the beginning. If theres interest, we can do a couple of dives there. Either way, when were finished, well make our way over to the bAarrrrr to, you know, rehydrate.
If you want to make a day trip out of it, thats certainly do-able. Ill probably find a cheap hotel or maybe even a campsite in the area for Saturday night and find something to do on Sunday as well. The more the merrier, so feel free to do the same.
It should be a fun and interesting weekend and a good chance to get your Oct DAM dive in. Spouses, s/o's and friends are weclome on the tour, just let us know when you rsvp so we can get an accurate head count. It shouldn't be too difficult to find something for non-divers to do while we're diving.
Who wants to come along?
On Saturday, Oct 19th we are fortunate enough to have a tour of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services San Marcos Fish Hatchery. Well find out first-hand about how the Fish & Wildlife Service uses the hatcheries to manage and restore aquatic species in some of the waters that we dive. They do this as both short-term refuges for species in crisis, as well as long-term propagation and management for native species. But wait, theres more! Our tour will be led by the Fish & Wildlife Services Regional Dive Officer and Chair of their National Diving Control Board, so well get a glimpse into a day in the life of a Fish & Wildlife Service diver and learn about the diving that they do as part of their jobs.
The tour will begin at 10:00 am. That gives you time to get up (early) and drive in from Houston if you don't go up Friday night, but please plan your trip, with a little slack time, to arrive at the hatchery by 9:45 at the latest, so we can all be ready to go. The FWS staff is taking their own personal time out of their weekend to accommodate us, so we owe it to them to be on time. Well get you the address as the date gets closer. We do have a max group size of 20 people for the tour.
After the tour, well grab a quick bite in San Marcos, exact location tbd and then head to the river for some diving!
The San Marcos river is spring fed (originating at Spring Lake, aka Aquarena Springs) and is a pretty constant 72 degrees year round. The conditions are very similar to the Comal, without the tube chutes. Its fairly shallow and a nice, relaxing drift dive. Well probably need to do some coordinating amongst ourselves to have vehicles parked at the exit to shuttle divers and gear back to the beginning. If theres interest, we can do a couple of dives there. Either way, when were finished, well make our way over to the bAarrrrr to, you know, rehydrate.
If you want to make a day trip out of it, thats certainly do-able. Ill probably find a cheap hotel or maybe even a campsite in the area for Saturday night and find something to do on Sunday as well. The more the merrier, so feel free to do the same.
It should be a fun and interesting weekend and a good chance to get your Oct DAM dive in. Spouses, s/o's and friends are weclome on the tour, just let us know when you rsvp so we can get an accurate head count. It shouldn't be too difficult to find something for non-divers to do while we're diving.
Who wants to come along?
