Post by JES on Mar 21, 2004 8:11:28 GMT -8
Orlando Area Vintage Dive Get Together Trip update.
The group should be diving Alexander Springs right about now. I sure wish that I could still be there with them!
I drove to Blue Springs yesterday (from Tarpon Springs, FL) and met up with Bryan, Chuck, Tom and his wife Cindy, Rob, and Jack at the Rangers station located at the entrance to Blue Springs.
After we all registered and paid our entrance dive fees we drove to the parking lot and spent some time getting acquainted.
During our talks we discovered that Bryan flew down from Missouri, Chuck drove down from Kentucky, Tom and Cindy drove down from Louisiana, Rob drove down from Cincinnati and Jack drove up from Sarasota.
We also learned that Tom started diving in 1957!
Before we even got suited-up, Rob started videotaping the get-together and then passed on this responsibility to Cindy who became our official Videographer and Bubble Watcher.
After checking out everyone else's vintage gear we then donned our gear and walked down to the entrance to the springs. Once in the water you must walk along the shore to actually reach the dive site.
The first dive was to 74 ft and lasted 35 minutes. We surfaced and talked and enjoyed the various scuba classes’ checking-out our "modern gear". Cindy and Chuck took pictures and since everyone had air remaining we decided to make another short/shallow dive before walking back to the vehicles.
The second dive was to 20 ft for 15 minutes and we all surfaced and made the walk back to the vehicles.
Chuck brought a compressor with him and generously refilled everyone’s tank while we talked about the first two dives and enjoyed the beautiful Florida weather.
After the tanks were refilled we donned our gear again and made the walk back to the spring and started our third dive. This one was to 86 ft and lasted 45 minutes before we resurfaced.
Three incredible vintage dives in one day!
Everyone met back at the vehicles and I said my goodbyes (needing to drive back to Tarpon Springs yesterday). The rest of the group drove to the Fish House for a well-deserved dinner.
This was an excellent get-together and I met some of the finest people you could ever hope to meet.
I'm sure that the rest of the group will be posting pictures and their stories upon their return to their homes.
I now have 6 new friends who just happen to be Vintage Divers.... I can't wait until the next opportunity to dive Vintage Gear with this fine group presents itself.
The group should be diving Alexander Springs right about now. I sure wish that I could still be there with them!
I drove to Blue Springs yesterday (from Tarpon Springs, FL) and met up with Bryan, Chuck, Tom and his wife Cindy, Rob, and Jack at the Rangers station located at the entrance to Blue Springs.
After we all registered and paid our entrance dive fees we drove to the parking lot and spent some time getting acquainted.
During our talks we discovered that Bryan flew down from Missouri, Chuck drove down from Kentucky, Tom and Cindy drove down from Louisiana, Rob drove down from Cincinnati and Jack drove up from Sarasota.
We also learned that Tom started diving in 1957!
Before we even got suited-up, Rob started videotaping the get-together and then passed on this responsibility to Cindy who became our official Videographer and Bubble Watcher.
After checking out everyone else's vintage gear we then donned our gear and walked down to the entrance to the springs. Once in the water you must walk along the shore to actually reach the dive site.
The first dive was to 74 ft and lasted 35 minutes. We surfaced and talked and enjoyed the various scuba classes’ checking-out our "modern gear". Cindy and Chuck took pictures and since everyone had air remaining we decided to make another short/shallow dive before walking back to the vehicles.
The second dive was to 20 ft for 15 minutes and we all surfaced and made the walk back to the vehicles.
Chuck brought a compressor with him and generously refilled everyone’s tank while we talked about the first two dives and enjoyed the beautiful Florida weather.
After the tanks were refilled we donned our gear again and made the walk back to the spring and started our third dive. This one was to 86 ft and lasted 45 minutes before we resurfaced.
Three incredible vintage dives in one day!
Everyone met back at the vehicles and I said my goodbyes (needing to drive back to Tarpon Springs yesterday). The rest of the group drove to the Fish House for a well-deserved dinner.
This was an excellent get-together and I met some of the finest people you could ever hope to meet.
I'm sure that the rest of the group will be posting pictures and their stories upon their return to their homes.
I now have 6 new friends who just happen to be Vintage Divers.... I can't wait until the next opportunity to dive Vintage Gear with this fine group presents itself.