Minnesota

[Margo Femrite]

There are no hurricanes and earthquakes to worry about. Yet, I am unsatisfied… 1) It's cold and 2) It is nowhere near the ocean. It would be nice to train more but for that I need a buddy, is there anyone in the forum here in Minnesota? I know a few people near but not in the state. Just wondering for convenience reasons.

[bjpete]

Where in Minnesota are you, the cities? My son is going to school in Mankato.

[Margo Femrite]

I'm in Brooklyn Park, which isn't too far from the Twin Cities.

[Tol]

If you are still looking for a dive buddy, I'm in St. Paul about once every 6 weeks or so and would love to dive. I'm very, very new having only done it once. We are talking about another jaunt to Lake Wazee if you are interested.
Tol

[fjohnson]

I get over to the Detroit Lakes area often.. but that's quite a haul from Brooklyn Park.. Crosby mine pits (Cuyuna Range, about 125 miles from Brooklyn Park) just east of Brainard, offer some excellent freediving opportunities and I've been there twice this summer and have it on my list to go at least once more..probably the weekend of Aug. 12th, it's a drive for me but worth it everytime... come to think of it.. .everything is a drive for me (at least 100 miles) but worth it everytime. You've got Jon who gets to wazee (about 125 miles s.e. of St. Paul) who is a great person to dive with.. If buddying up with Tol in the cities doesn't work I'd say your best bets are to get to Wazee and meet Jon or coincide a trip up to Brainard sometime and meet me.
Fred

[Tol]

I'll be in St. Paul early during the week of August 20th. Crosby sounds like a fantastic day trip! Who's interested?
T

[ceason]

Fred,

Let me know when you have details on that Crosby mine pits trip. The nitrox class I was going to take at Wazee just got canceled and freed up that weekend.

-Jeff

[fjohnson]

Hey Jeff, the 12th of August is on my calendar for Crosby.. so far it looks like I'll be at Leech lake that day so only about 75 miles away from there. I know the 12th is a ways away for planning but I'll post when the days draw nearer and I'm more sure of what's happening.
for now I know I'm in the Vergas, Mn area tomorrow noon at lake 6, lake 7, and later maybe another lake.. .eagle or paul, and meeting up with several of my kids and Roland and some of his friends. gonna be a good day to be near water that's for sure. Anyone in that area can sure join us!

[Tol]

If anyone is desirous of a buddy, I'm in St. Paul now and will be here until August 23rd or so. I'm going to be silly busy, but would love to jump in on a couple of the outings scheduled throughout the month
T

[ceason]

I'll plan on heading up to Crosby that weekend. Keep me posted when you know more details.

-Jeff

[fjohnson]

August 12th a few of us will be at Crosby.. I'll set a meet time/place later this week and anyone is welcome to join us. Could meet at Lake Louise, that's usually a good clear lake... might be that some of us get there friday night and camp. More info later as the weekend nears.
Fred

[ceason]

Is anyone planning on camping through the weekend?

Thanks
Jeff

[fjohnson]

I'll be leaving on saturday late afternoon/evening to meet my wife. It sounds like Roland and some of his buddies will be camping friday nite too but I don't know about Sat. nite.. I know Roland usually works on sundays so if that's the case I doubt if he'll be staying either... but I don't know about his buddies. This is a very popular dive spot.. there will be a lot of scuba campers there I'm sure so even if eveyone has to bug out early, there will still be lot's of folks around.. a good opportunity to make new friends. (even if they are of the "scuba" kind )
Fred

[Tol]

I'm shot until Aug 20th. Anyone interested in a trip to Crosby after that? I'd love to get up there before I head back to Milwaukee.
T

[freedivechicago]

Did you guys ever make it to Cuyuna last year? I was wondering cuz I just discovered it on another website and then did a search on DB & found your thread here. Looks like a great place. Mind sharing some impressions?

Local Diving

Crosby Mine Pits
The Cuyuna State Recreational area located in northern Minnesota just 15 miles from Brainerd, is the home of one of the best kept secrets in Midwest diving. Originally, the sight was the home of iron ore mines later shut down in the 1970s and has since become a beautifully, protected, sanctuary for divers from near and far. The crystal, clear water of the 55 dive sites spread over 27 bodies of water provide divers of all levels with lots of room for exploration. The maximum depth is 525ft but most diver stick between 20-100 ft. The “pits” are stocked with walleye, northern pikes, crappies, bass, and trout with visibility ranging between 25-50 feet. Many divers even report seeing beavers, loons, or snapping turtles. Several of the sites boast forgotten mine shafts, pipes that once pumped the mines dry, building foundations, power poles and old road beds while other items have been added such as abandon vehicles and silly things that make us divers smile, like plastic skeletons and old playground equipment.