Dive Trips For 2010

[ScubaDog]

Gang, we need to get moving on dive trips for this year. It's certainly fun for Terra and I to go to these places, but we have more fun when we go with other divers.

UPDATE ON BIG TRIP
Sadly, lack of interest coupled with airfares skyrocketing have put the Cozumel trip out of reach for most, so we're concentrating on easier trips.

FOR THE LITTLE TRIP 9-10 JULY
We're going to the Texas Clipper, and would likely involve everyone going up on a Friday and hitting the dock early on Saturday. This is called the Tons Of Steel dive, and incorporates 2-tanks on the Clipper and one on an oil rig for $225. The cost includes tanks, weights, breakfast, lunch and soft drinks.
1. Hotel will be your responsibility, but we can see about grouping us together to reduce costs.
2. For those who don't have to head back Saturday afternoon, would you want to stay Saturday night and come up with a group venture for Sunday (a minor league baseball game was suggested)?

If you have never done a salt water dive before, particularly in tropical waters, there is simply nothing like it. If you plan on doing either of these trips, I strongly suggest those who are not hard core divers (ones who don't dive at least once each month during the warm season) get with me, ScubaBob, Angela or one of our other more experienced divers to get your skills back up to speed. I can promise you that you won't want to be spending more time acclimating yourself to diving than actually enjoying the scenery.

Also, we love going up to Balmorhea State Park, by the Davis Mountains, several times each season. It's a four hour drive and is set in a beautiful setting. The site is nearly pool-like, 20ft deep, natural bottom, tons of fish and some soft shell turtles, excellent visibility. It's a perfect dive location for newer divers or those looking to refresh their skills. Dates that we plan to go are: 21-22 May, 25-26 June, 20-21 August and 17-18 September

Here's more detailed info on Balmorhea:
Make reservations online: http://www.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?subTabIndex=0&contractCode=tx&parkCode=balm
Or phone: 512/ 389-8900, 9am to 6pm

Fees:
Entrance fees are $7 per person over 13 years old
6 Campsites with water: $11 per night.
16 Campsites with electric and water hookups: $14 per night.
12 Campsites with electric, water and cable TV hookups: $17 per night
Cabins:
2 Cabins with 2 double beds: $60
6 Cabins with 3 double beds: $75
10 Cabins with 2 double beds and a kitchen: $80
Cabin prices are based on double occupancy, $7 per each additional person.

[ScubaDog]

I forgot to mention that we will again run up a few trips to Balmorhea State Park. If you have not gone diving there, it is some awesome visibility and very shallow diving, with comfortable (if a bit sparse) accommodations right there. If it's been a while since you've been diving and you don't want to jump into Lake Amistad, Balmorhea is the perfect opportunity to get the best of a pool experience AND open water all at the same time.

[Phil_218]

While I'd love to go to Cozumel or Belize, I don't think I'd be able to afford to take the whole family. I may be able to do a clipper trip, though if it were early in the summer (May to early June).

[monav827]

Hey Garza would you mind diving with me since I'm not a "hardcore" diver???

[ScubaDog]

Wait a minute, I thought you DO dive at least once a month. YOU'D be one of the ones our less experience divers should be hanging out with, kiddo!