Hudson Grotto

106' of Nestea Colored Stink. Pitch dark under 51' and cannot see the sunlight, or any light under 70'.

Our last dive here, three weeks ago, we were daring each other to go down to the 100' platform, today were practically racing down. On the drive up we decided that we were going for it. Get the nerves out. Head to the center of the 300' diameter grotto, over to the floating barrel, and down the tag line, straight down to the 100' platform. We were told that there is a VW bus, two boats, cars, etc. down there, and we needed to see them.

The first dive down I did not like the rate at which my regulator was cycling air, very free-flowing. I tried fooling with it, while holding on the tag line and dive light with one hand, my dive computer to check my depth with the other hand, dropping the computer from time-to-time to pinch my nose, descending into the black abyss, and I ran out of hands to fool with the regulator knob. Once we made it to the 8' x 8' platform, I realized that my flashlight beam against the sunken boat was equivalent to finding an outlet with a laser beam on your bedroom wall. Ryan had his floodlight, and guided the way. One sweep around the platform, and my computer started to alert me that I needed to ascend; O2 levels reaching the yellow. I could only stay that that depth for 10 minutes because I was diving Nitrox 35. Before going down, I knew that I would have issues with my PO2 level, and coupled with my regulator, I was breathing a little fast. Sucked it down 1/3 faster than normal. We leveled off at 25'-30' and met up with Teresa and the group for one pass around the outer perimeter.

Second dive down, I was ready. Ryan's sinuses were giving him some trouble, so he descended slowly. Me, down I drifted, fast. I needed to find the bus. Okay, there is such a thing as the Martini Law. Every 50' it is like having another martini. By the time we circled the platform, and Ryan handed off the floodlight, I hit my second martini. I found the permanent laid lead line that stretched over to the bus. Hovering on top of the bus, I forgot about my bottom time, and started to think of how cool it would be to have my picture taken behind the wheel of the bus. 'Okay, Malena, you know what this is. Yeah, it is feeling G-o-o-d. Martini. Check your gauge. Going into the high yellow. Cool, no problem, got some more. Hey, what is that in the distance? Huh, is that Ryan? Cool light. Where am I? Oh, the bus... Cool to sit behind the wheel. Look at that, a line. I wonder where that is going to? I bet I could follow it. Huh, what is that light in the distance flashing. Oh, Ryan, yeah. I wonder why he is over there, flashing that light. Bottom time. Martini. Oh, yeah. Line. Need to go back. But feeling good. G-o-o-d.'

I hit the platform, and Ryan pointed to his gauge. He was diving air the second round, which limited his bottom time. Still feeling the liquid courage, I buried my light in my BC while I ascended. Total darkness. Moving my had up the line a foot at a time, pausing for a long breath in between. Checked my computer, perfect pace. That was beautiful! Hit the 90' tag on the line. Loving the feeling of weightlessness. Hit the 70' tag. Here comes the sun. At the 50' mark the red Mars-like atmosphere engulfs you, along with the odorous perfume of sulfur. Yummy! We only covered a quarter of the bottom, but with only one floodlight, that was pretty damn good. Next time, with my own LED floodlight in hand, we will map out the whole bottom.

We even had time for some basic navigation. At 25' I found my navigation point to where the 20' platform should be. Less than 50 kicks, and we were just under it. What a great day!

Loved the sulfur smell so much, I had to have eggs for lunch. Umm-umm good!