Posted by Jim Haack on June 10, 19109 at 16:21:18:
Greetings, divers!
Those of you who were unable to attend the last Gathering missed an excellent presentation by Steve Jacobs of Nancy and his trip to the Maldives. While Nancy wasn’t there to tell, her side of the stories, Steve had some incredible pictures (yes, Nancy, he gave you credit for the one anemone fish) and had us all aching for a trip like this ourselves. Many thanks to Steve for this wonderful slideshow.
We also discussed the possibility of doing some local dives this summer. There is some great local diving to be done, and not nearly enough opportunities to go abroad. Here’s what we have lined up:
June 20th – Pearl Lake, South Beloit, Illinois
July 26th – Haigh Quarry, Kankakee, Illinois (Haigh Quarry customer appreciation day)
August 29th – Devils lake, Baraboo, Wisconsin
All of these are planned as day trips. Please let me know if you are planning to attend, and we an work out details as far as caravans, rides, lunch, etc. Please also let me know if you would like me to bring air for you.
Speaking of trips, Linda and Dan Bunn asked me to share this with you all:
We are in the preliminary stage of planning a trip to CoCoView Resort, Roatan, Honduras. Rich Prochaska and Dan and Linda Bunn have been to this resort 3-4 times each. The resort has one of the best repeat businesses in the Caribbean. We have reserved 6 rooms for the week of Jan 2-9. 2010. The cost is $999.00 plus hotel tax of $159.84, total $1158.84. Cost, at the resort includes
Ocean front accommodations in over the water cabanas, Welcome cocktail, Complimentary airport transfers, 3 Full meals daily includes: Arrival dinner, breakfasts to order, daily lunches, daily dinner buffets with salad bar and choice of entree. Breakfast on departure day (at normal hour.), 1 Bar-B-Que on private cay (weather permitting), 1 Picnic on private cay (weather permitting), Unlimited beach diving includes: barrier reef wall diving, wreck of the Prince Albert, night diving, 2 boat dive trips daily including 1 tank at selected site and optional drop-off wall dive (up to 4 boat tanks daily), Tanks, belts, and weights, Free use of ocean kayaks and non-motorized beach equipment, exercise equipment as well as ample opportunities sight-seeing, picnicking, and day or night time excursions(extra cost)
Currently airfare on Expedia is $302.00 round trip Chicago Ohare to Roatan. We don't know how long that fare will hold and I won't hold any until we know if there is any interest from anyone else to go. Check out the website for more info www.cocoviewresort.com
Let us know by email dbunns@aol.com or by phone 389-6672
Thanks
Linda and Dan
There is also a trip planned to St.Croix this August:
We have been wanting to get some warm salt water diving in yet this summer. Have you been looking to get away?
St Croix, USVI offers everything you would expect from a Caribbean Island vacation...lush green hills, warm aquamarine water, beautiful beaches, fabulous weather, great dining and duty free shopping, incredible SCUBA diving, and a friendly Caribbean culture with a relaxed island experience...and you will be supporting a U.S. territory while you enjoy your Caribbean vacation!
We will be traveling to St. Croix from August 1st - 8th. We will have 5 days of boat diving, lodging and transportation on the island for $1,100 ppdo (includes equipment and a share of a rental car for island excursions). Flights from Chicago are currently at $500. There is also an additional opportunity for shore diving in Cane Bay and Salt River. Please let us know if you are interested by June 20th. Spots are limited. Contact me at ScubaJim@machlink.com or 319-330-8011 for more information.
And finally, Vernon Smith has a mask for sale. It is a Technisub Look mask with -3.0 diopter corrective lenses. Congratulations to Vernon on his Lasik eye surgery that makes this mask an extra. This is an incredible value for anyone who can use it. Contact Vernon at vernonhsmith@Lcom.net.
Hope to see you all out diving soon!
Jim