Northwest Dive Club

On our way to a family Christmas in Peoria, Illinois, we stopped by the Bonne Terre Mine (an hour's drive from St. Louis) for two days of underground diving. Here are a few pictures, a short video, and links to more.

100 years ago, this was the world's largest lead mine. Now the site hosts tourists. Everything we see started as solid rock. Miners hollowed it out but left supports. So, the town's houses and businesses sit 80 feet above us, on a platform of 50 feet of rock. From our point of view, the supports go about 30 feet up and 100 feet down into the water. Pumps used to keep the whole mine dry. Now, pumps keep the water (mostly collected rain water) at a good level for tours. We enter the 58°F water, about 10°F warmer than Seattle's water, but 30°F colder than typical vacation diving. The guides lead us to an oar cart (and for some reason encourage us to touch it) 86-seconds of video clips with a surprise at the end
https://youtu.be/7_5PhIX_Jfg

- Carl

p.s. More pictures with captions can be found here on FB (no account needed): https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 05b5293258

I thought about doing that scuba dive but the problem is they have a divemaster in front and a divemaster in back you have to pretty much do follow the leader...
What did you think of your experience there and would you recommend it ?

We enjoyed it but it is regimented. They take on you tours, on pre-defined trails, more or less in order. Also, it's only open on weekends and they ban (actually, just discourage, you carrying lights).

In their defense, they get a lot of warm-water beginners. Also, I think keeping it dim and have a progression of paths just keeps it more interesting.

So, if you are in the area and cost is OK for you, you can enjoy it. If you are planning a trip, however, I'd recommend first, guided cavern diving near Playa del Carmen. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 0f2ebed49d


- Carl