Since the weather was gorgeous and the wind just right for flying or jumping, flew up to the airport in Michigan City Indiana (KMGC) to see what was going on. DId a two way with Joy and then headed back to Benton Harbor. Left just in time … the weather closed in at MGC and here’s a picture of a micro burst rain storm I skirted on the way home.
A nice day for a quick flight north toward South Haven. As the pictures show it was a great summer day with lots of water activity and not much parking space left for beach goers.
August 25, 2016: Another great day for diving Paw Paw lake in Coloma/Watervliet. Only had three other divers participate in today’s dive but all had a great dive even though the visibility was only 5 feet. The water has a brown look to it which may be from the decaying weeds that the chemical control spray has brought under control. Not very many treasures recovered but a good time was had. After the dive we went to the “Friendly Tavern” for refreshments and food.
August 24, 2016: Today developed into a great day for baseball as the heavy rain showers by passed Four Winds Field in South Bend today and we got just a few sprinkles before the game. The South Bend Cubs are a class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and today they are being called the Comeback Cubs as they beat the West Michigan Whitecaps 11-10 in extra innings. Wow, what a game.
Sunday, August 21: The Annual “Michigan Underwater Divers” (MUD) Club Picnic was held this afternoon in Niles. As usual we had more food than a Baptist Potluck and no one went away hungry. This was an unusual picnic for the Muddies in that we did not have a drift dive , regular grub dive or anyone kayaking due to very high water level and fast currents.
August 18, 2016: Major fun activity today was to change out the Clown Plane engine oil so took her up for about 15 minutes to get things circulated and warm then landed and changed out the oil. After the change out verified everything was squared away and tight, went backup for another 15 minute flight and a few touch an go’s.
The fair was held from August 14 thru the 20th and I attended on Tuesday the 16th. The fair was hammered by torrential rains during the week which reduced attendance significantly and created exceedingly muddy parking areas. In spite of the rains, the sun did get out and on those day the attendance was very good as evident by pictures of some of the kids attending.
Today was a very cloudy and wet dive day. A bit of wind but no lightning. Dove with Jim S today and did have a nice find to share.
Another nice summer day in Niles doing a double dip, which means a two tank dive.
The river visibility was not too bad so decided to try and get some useable still underwater shots so people could have an idea what a divers see’s in the river.
As many of our TTD’s many begin and end between 5:30-7:30 PM. Dive locations vary but members tend to want to go where the grubbing action is the best. Therefore we are often diving in Niles, Michigan, in(or under) the Saint Joseph River as it flows along “Riverfront Park”.
Many chose to enter the water at the “semi-submerged pipe” or the dock by the kayak launch point down which is behind the movie theater. All divers are required to bring their own “diver location flag” or make sure they are sharing a flag with a close buddy.
In addition to a location flag we encourage divers to bring a bug/goody bag for their finds and a river stick to help them maneuver in current. Visibility is often limited in the river so with new or less experienced divers we usually have a mentor dive with them.
Here’s a sample of TODAY’S finds by a couple of retired guys who started much earlier in the day.
