[whataretheysaying] Mary Madigan: Dive weekend

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Posted by Mary Madigan:
Dive weekend
http://whataretheysaying.powerblogs.com/posts/1154358370.shtml


   We visited the local scuba park, [1]Dutch springs, for a day of
   diving.

   [2]dutchsprings 
   Submerged helicopter; photo by George Bouloukas

   Above water, Dutch Springs looks like another quiet little
   Pennsylvania quarry, but underwater, it's a diver's amusement park.
   There's a wide selection of purposely submerged boats, a sunken
   cessna, a schoolbus and a helicopter. A series of ropes and underwater
   platforms guide people to the attractions. It's a great place to
   practice dive skills.

   It's also a good place to get used to temperate-climate freshwater
   diving. The quarry is deep and, when you get near the [3]thermocline,
   wicked, wicked cold.

   I've been spoiled, diving mostly in warm places. Since I still tend to
   be a little claustrophobic, I decided not to wear a hood. That was a
   bad idea. When we descended to about 45 ft, the water on my face felt
   like a Chicago wind in January. I thought I could tolerate it, but my
   ears thought otherwise, which cut my dive short.

   At least I had time to tour the [4]schoolbus, which mostly transports
   zebra mussels now.

   Fortunately, my daughter was able to dive a few more times with
   buddies from the dive shop. They toured the boats, the cessna and the
   firetruck.

   We also took a quick swim at the water park. They've got lots of fun
   inflatable slides, icebergs to climb on, water trampolines. The only
   disadvantage was - we had to wear PFDs in the water. Since the depths
   in the water park exceed 50 ft., I guess they worry that park patrons
   will get lost.

   Park hours are from 8 to 5. If you want to get a full day of diving
   in, get there early.

References

   1. http://www.dutchsprings.com/scuba.htm
   2. http://www.dutchsprings.com/ImageHelicopter.htm
   3. http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/wwhlpr/thermocline.rxml
   4. http://www.dutchsprings.com/ImageSchool.htm