Ginnie, Peacock, Cow 10/15 - 10/18

[Arctic Mike]

Tony and I arrived at Chateau H2O on Friday evening. We met up with TB, Kevin, Scott, and Hector and headed to Ginnie for a night dive. We split into teams. Tony and I went in through the Eye while the others entered the Ear. We all headed up the Hill 400 Tunnel for awhile before turning the dive on thirds. It was a fun dive, the flow and vis typical for the Devil's System. Unfortunately, the only place for a bite afterwards was Waffle House. I can't take that too often during a long weekend!

Charles joined us on Saturday morning and he and I headed to the Ball Room for a crash drysuit course. Charles just picked up a new Hollis BioDry from Living on the Edge Adventures. Congrats! We spent an hour or more practicing and taking a few photos. After lunch we all broke into teams and again dove Devil's. Charles and I entered through the Ear and made it to the lips when Charles' primary light failed. That ended the diving for us Saturday.

Sunday we headed to Peacock. Entering at P1 Tony and I headed down the main line while TB, Kevin, and Hector took the Peanut Tunnel. Tony and I went to Olsen and hung out for awhile. It is always so peaceful floating there with no one else around! We headed back and took the Crossover Tunnel to exit via the Peanut Tunnel. The whole day we enjoyed good vis and a relatively small crowd. The new trail looks fantastic. Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to get it set up. In the afternoon we dove OG. Tony and I went to Challenge and hung out there for awhile before heading back. TB sat this one out but Kevin and Hector joined us most of the way. Sunday evening we headed to The Crab Shack with Bill Rennacker, his wife and Linda. We all enjoyed a good meal and lots of great conversation. It was a fun night!

Monday morning came much too soon but we got together and headed to Cow. We had a good briefing because Kevin and Hector had not been there before. I attempted to take everyones picture as they came through the first restriction out of the well but they didn't turn out very well. We managed 1100 ft penetration before turning on thirds. Vis was very good with pretty normal flow. After a short deco in the basin Kevin and I headed downstream for a quick tour. Afterwards, back on the road for the long ride home!

A great weekend diving with friends, old and new. Thanks All!

[DA Aquamaster]

Great trip report. I'm reading those more lately as we are heading back down to N FL for a full week with diving commencing the 30th.

Not to start a fuss here, but I am curious. When diving from P1 to Olsen, hanging out then returing via the crossover and peanut tunnels, how do you handle the jumps from the Olsen line to the crossover and from the cross over to the peanut line? Three different approaches come to mind, all with pros and cons and/or greater or lesser levels of effort.

[mstueven]

Thanks for the trip report Mike. Sounds like a great time!

[TONY CHANEY]

I really enjoyed the dives as well as the company. Yea, just floating around a small sink, deep in the forest, with your friend, no one else around, smiling while having no normal day worries...priceless. This was my first success at reaching challenge.

[khacken]

Mike! I enjoyed meeting you and diving with you. The briefing paid off as the dive into cow was one of the best dives I had this trip.

Looking forward to diving with you again...

[TONY CHANEY]

Kevin glad to hear that you enjoyed the dive.

[350xfire]

You guys suck!!! hahaha. There WILL be a next time for me... Next time I'll have to plan on a full week and no family/diving vacation... Will have to just focus on the diving part of it.