All posts by DWMack

2019 January – Fly Day Over SW Michigan

January 5, 2019Fly DaysDWMack

Normally this time of year, January, usually finds the farm lands of SW Michigan coated with several inches of snow and the Lake Michigan shore line covered with at least a mile or so covering of shore ice. This week, not so much.

Jan 5 was a fine day for flying with plenty of blue sky, light and variable winds and only the occasional down draft bump. Hope you enjoy the area pictures.

2019 – Jan 5: Benton Harbor Regional Airport (KBEH). Looking closely, you can see several aircraft and a helicopter making used of today’s dry runways.

Jan 5, 2019: St. Joseph and Benton Harbor without snow and Lake Michigan without its normal ice covered shoreline.

Jan-2019: Benton Harbor on Cinema Way / Mall Drive – Big Box Stores and four new hotels.

Jan 5, 2019: Lakeland Hospital (Lakeland Health & Spectrum) and its new building right off Napier & Langley Ave in St. Joseph, Mi.

Jan 5, 2019: Lake Michigan College – Benton Harbor (off Napier Ave)

Jan 5, 2019: Four Winds Casino off Red Arrow Hwy between Hartford and Watervliet, MI.

Jan 5, 2019: I&M Solar Farm & switch yard in the Watervliet, Mi area.

Jan 5, 2019: Hartford H.S. and the Hartford Race Track -Hartford Michigan

Jan 5, 2019: Watervliet Airport (40c) – Located at the East end of Big Paw Paw Lake in Watervliet. Runways are a bit soggy and mushey this time of year.

Jan 5, 2019: Sister Lakes area – Dowagiac: Magician Lake with only a very small section having any ice. Very unusual for a January!

Jan 5, 2019: Magician Lake (Sister Lakes- Dowagiac) – The water clarity was very good today and as you can see the lake is getting much shallower.

Jan 5, 2019: Saw this around the Paw Paw Michigan area – Might be Doc’s Salvage- Junk Yard. Quite orderly for a junk yard.

2018 / 2019 Greeting the New Year Under Water (again!)

January 1, 2019ScubaNew Years Night DiveDWMack

Yep, it was that time of year again. No ice this year, least ways on Paw Paw Lake (Watervliet, MI) but there was a little rain that turned into sleet after midnight. With no wind and air temp of 32F it was almost balmy. We had two providing shore support (Jake Thar and Jeri Steelman) and 4 in the water and most important 4 out . (Don McAlhany, Otto Molmen, Mary Beth, Sir Larry Steelman). It was fun as usual, so come out and join us next year!

High Noon Dive – Forest Beach – Watervliet, Mi

December 12, 2018ScubaCold Water Gear Check, Pre Ice Dive Gear CheckDWMack

In preparation for cold water diving, especially for the New Years night dive, its highly desired that the individuals on that dive have been diving and are current on their skills and equipment.

This dive day provides anyone an opportunity to verify their skill, comfort level and equipment operation in a safe environment. By safe I mean it’s a no-current area, decent visibility, a sandy bottom with a gradual slope to deeper water.

Having a dock or pier to stage gear and to be able to dress/gear up in the water without the tanks on helps with keeping the weight off their backs until they enter the water.

Today’s dive in Big Paw Paw Lake (Watervliet, MI) was great with no wind, flat water, and maybe an air temp of 40F. Water was initially chilly on the hands if diving wet gloves.

The dive site is called “Forest Beach Park” and its located at the bottom of “Pier” street off of Forest Beach drive. Its an especially nice place to dive during the summer because it has a good parking, and a sandy beach. During the summer months it has a Pot-a-John available for changing or the necessities.

Not many treasures were recovered today but two golf balls were brought back so it does count as an official club dive. Next dive? Soon I am sure!