Chanb77's Weblog

Saturday, October 6th, 2012 ~

We loaded up the DGTU with gear to last us for the weekend. Once loaded, it seemed like we had enough for a week! We met Blake at a predetermined location, with Frankie and Eric V., behind us. It seemed that there was an important piece of gear that missed the loading process, so Blake and Steve went back to get it. I led the way to the border, in the white van.

We were going to stop for some food, but on the exit that said there was food… well, there were plenty of farmer’s fields, and not much else. I led us through some really pretty rural areas, which eventually led us back to the highway (read: I guess I took the long way back). We then decided to pull over in Brockville, instead. It was lunch time now, anyway.

After lunch, we got to the border, went through, and it did not take much time at all, to reach Alexandria Bay. This was my first time on the US side of the St. Lawrence… as far as shore entry goes! I found a great parking spot, as did Frankie, and we reached the place of Drysuit Goodness!

Just follow the sign!

Frankie, at the entrance…

We registered, found our way inside, said hello to our friends, and checked out all of the goodies! We did not get there for the beginning of the day, but were a little glad, since it had been raining pretty crazily, before we got there!

Faith, with some of our NTD friends!

There were plenty of suits and cuddly undergarments to try on…

Of course, we did not have any fun, at all…
(Just like band camp)…

Once we checked out some of the goodies, socialized a little, and maybe a little more, we decided that it was time to dive! We dropped our gear down at the water, reparked the vehicles, then geared up!

Steve, Blake, and I were a team, and our plan was to scooter around one of the islands, there. Frankie and Eric V. were also a team, and had a different plan.

We made our way out, and found spots with absolutely no current, at all. We made it to the island, and found a really old car/truck, that did not have a roof on it (Chris had told us about one with a roof). We found some really old lines, so decided to follow them for a while, around the island. There were other spots, where the current was extremely strong, and our headway was very slow!

It was a completely new area for us, and we really did enjoy it!

Bottom Time: 75 mins.
Max. Depth: 79′
Water Temp.: 62F
Visibility: Not bad

After our dive, we found our DUI friends, and I got some video of Susan doin’ it Gangnam Style (*snicker*).  We also met up with Chris, Damian, and Patty, before checking into our hotel (Thank you, Faith!).

Sunday, October 7th, 2012 ~

There happened to be a 50’s-type diner, right by our hotel, so we headed over for some Breakfast Goodness! It was like a place out of a Seinfeld episode… and they did actually have Seinfeld playing on a tiny little TV, behind the counter. 😛

After food, we reorganized our gear. Steve and Blake were heading back over to the Canadian side for a dive, while I was going to stay on the US side, and meet Sir Andy, for a dive!

There he is!

James was taking some divers out, who were trying out drysuits!

I thought I recognized these scooters!

Andy and I decided to try out some DUI Powerstretch undies. I have used the older models before, but had not tried out the newer material ones. I had tried them on the day before, and they were definitely snuggly! I talked Andy into trying them, too! *Grin*

We made our way over to the Islander entry, which I had never been to before. I had my short body, and Andy had his Mini G.

There is a really nice entry, and you can tie your scooters off to the hand rail, which is quite convenient. You just have to watch your step as you get in, due to the river rocks! I was slow, in order to stay sure-footed. *Clutz.*

Entry…

We did a little tour around the wreck, as I played with my Go Pro (video to follow, at some point). After a couple of turns around, we made our way toward the floating restaurant, where there are actually under water table settings. There were a few different tables, chairs around them, bottles on the tables, plates, cutlery, and even some jewellery strewn around. It was a pretty fun site! We kept going a bit further, and found a table setting for two! Really cute to see.

We then headed towards the channel, and we saw a massive school of small fish. They just kept coming, and coming, and coming… They were endless!! It was mesmerizing to watch them, and really good to see so much life in the river. There were literally thousands of them!

We wanted to keep our dive short’ish, since we were trying out these magnificent undies, and needed to get them back by 4pm! Back to the entry, out, changed, packed up, and out!

Andy was also doing it Gangnam Style…

Bottom Time: 58 mins.
Max. Depth: 97′
Water Temp.: 62F
Visibility: Not bad in the channel, milky in the shallows.

We were only about 100 seconds away from the event parking lot, so we hurried over… It was 4:03! As we pulled in, I noticed that I had a message from Faith, asking us where we were. Oops! They had packed up a little early, and were ready to roll!

Some of the DUI crew (including the fabulous BBQ chef)…

We handed over our nifty undies (I see a pair of these in my future, for 65F’ish waters), said our “See ya next times,” gave hugs, and took more pictures.. of course.

Susan and Faith: Two of the coolest ladies I know!

Andy also met up with a friend that he hadn’t seen in a while!

Andy and I then crossed the border, and went to Centeen, where we waited for Steve and Blake.

It was starting to get a bit dark, and with the darkness, came chilliness!

When they came ashore, they had done a 6 hour dive, and we were all ready for dinner! Timmy’s, for chili! Then, to Jen and Mike’s, where we stayed for the night!

Monday, October 8th, 2012 ~

Monday morning! Time to dive! Thanksgiving holiday means that we get an extra day of Diving Goodness! Eric, James, Blake, Steve, and I met for some channel surfing!

A bit of scooter checking, first.

Scooters and stages, ready to go…

We headed upstream for 40 minutes, then dropped into the channel. The vis was slightly better in the channel, but definitely nothing to write home about. We stuck together, and had a fun drift! We came back in, played in the shallows, then back in.

Bottom Time: 2 hours, 2 mins.
Max. Depth: 106′
Water Temp.: 62F
Visibility: Stinky, but not as bad as previous dives from Centeen!

Mat’s dogs were having a ton of fun, jumping off of the dock!

There were a few freighters that passed by, too…

I got to try on Steve’s refrigerator.. er… RB80, for size!

From left to right: Eric B., Steve, James, Me, Blake!

Then, meal time! Timmy’s seems to be the new destination of choice, for Chili Goodness!

It was really cool to see our DUI friends, try some new undies, dive in new places, and have just a TON of fun!! Yes, I know… Diving is serious business, right? 🙂

Until the next adventure!