Cannon Ball 07-(13,14)-06

[SLIM]

For some time DR and I have been working at getting some dives all set up for the divers that are coming up for the Midwest CDS Mini Workshop. Mr. DR had some unforeseen things happen and was not going to be able to make it. He had spent many hours getting some different gases mixed so that we could donate some for the dives that we would like to have taken many of them on. The weather did not work to the best for 2 of them that were going to fly up and then drive the van full of tanks and the boat to help out with getting to the entrance. Well as you all know about Murphy, he came along for the whole trip almost.

John Jones and a buddy of his John came up in a RV and ended up having a problem with his Rebreather, (left a part at home). Gene only had his old Rebreather and a part on it decided to fail just as we got ready to go on the dive, but this was after the trek down the hill and forgot his light, once we go ready to go in did we all notice that.

Well enough of all the problems that came about. Like I said Murphy was around. On Thursday the 13th only FW and I did a single dive. Once we got in and just to the first left turn after we got past the big rock that has the Cannon Ball in front of it, FW noticed that the control monitor had moister in it and elected to switch to his side mount tanks for bail out so as not to have to call the dive. We later thought that it was just condensation inside due to the sudden temp change.

Once on the dive we went down the main line all the way to the pit and dropped down to 160 to just look around some and slowly work our way out. Noted that many of the lovely clay formations had silt on them and kind of hide the beauty of them. Spent 51 minutes on this dive with a water temp of 53*, lake temp is like 85* boy was it HOT on our last 20 foot stop.

FW and I made the long trek up the hill, trust me this is a killer hill and a boat makes it easier. Well as FW and I start to get our gear off and cool down, we all of a sudden had several sherpas that were so nice to bring stuff up the hill. I guess that since they did not dive that they would help out with some of the work.

On Friday, still no DR but this time MAG was to show up and dive. I also brought 2 85 lp’s for FW to use so he would not have to wait the high He mix he had brought. This time FW and GM ended up doing a dive and got in several minutes after MAG and I did. MAG and I planed to do about 180 in depth and just slowly come out. After MAG and I got to the depth we decided to go, he took a photo or 2 and then we headed up. As we were coming up we met FW and GM on their way down. On the way out MAG decides to stop and take a few more photos and while I was there in perfect neutral buoyancy I started to cramp in my calves and then he signaled me to exit. Good thing since I was hurting.

We get to the surface and hang out some then FW and GM get back and we all move on over to the bank and I decided that I was only going to do that one dive due to the cramps I was getting and could not get them to go away easy. I turn and look to see the clouds building behind all of us. Still debating about leaving the flag and then all of a sudden hear thunder in the distance and said that’s it, I am pulling the flag. Well after I get the flag and we all start to bring our gear up (no sherpas today) we all got all gear stowed and changed to our street cloths and decide to stop bye DR favorite little sandwich shop on the way to St. Louis. About 10 minutes after we left the parking lot, it started to rain and then rain harder and then even harder. Did I mention how hard it rained?

I know that there is a bunch that I left out but I hope the some of the others will add to this so that we can keep it going and get all divers perspective of the trip and the conditions. I almost forgot but the air temps were in the 95+ and heat index over 100. Boy was this a fun trip. Got to dive with some old buddies that I have not seen from 6 months to a year. I have to say that the vis in the cave was 30 foot maybe 35.

We all then met again in St. Louis for the Mini Workshop that was a great one. All kinds of interesting information was shared and even talk about getting a CDS IT course up here in September and October. Boy that will be so much fun, hard work but fun.

SLIM

[FW]

Slim,

You forgot about the ticks, chiggers, and poision ivy

I was glad I won that anti-itch stuff

[SLIM]

Well we are in the Ozark Mountians and I figured you for a TAG person would know about the ticks and chigers. Guess they did not bother me since I am of local blood and you fereners taised differant and they just jumped all over you.

Oh PI was all over the place, ust watch were you walked.

SLIM