US Diving After our fi rst few dives across


the country, we wondered about our quest to dive 50 states. Had anyone else thought to also undertake this journey? I learned Charles Ballinger became the fi rst person to dive 50 states in 2000. Then, I discovered I would become the fi rst woman to dive 50 states, an exciting addition to the journey.


Can you dive in all the states? People don’t realize diving is available across the country. I am often asked if there is diving in Texas, my home state. Before I started this journey, I dived in Texas hundreds of times at fourteen diff erent dive sites. For my quest, I dived Texas in ten locations I had already visited. The Lone Star state is home to a variety of diving. I dived the purpose-sunk USTS Texas Clipper in South Padre Island. I photographed while cave diving in Jacob’s Well Natural Area, restricted to permit access. Most of my dives were in fresh


water, which happens to be kinder to dive equipment than salt water. I kept my gear particularly clean to prevent spreading zebra mussels across the country. I found and photographed many occurrences of this invasive species, which is now found Lake Huron, Lake Murray in Oklahoma and the Colorado River System. They cover every surface, from native mussels to rocks and vegetation on the bottom. I was extra diligent, because endangered species live in sites like Balmorhea Springs in Texas. The Comanche Springs Pupfi sh and the Pecos Gambusia only live in these waters. Without the springs, these species would be lost. I already had gone diving in – or


at least knew of – many of the Texas and Florida dive sites on my quest. Web research helped me locate leads for sites in other states. Sometimes, I simply looked at state maps and searched for bodies of water. I would then look for a dive shop nearby and call them to see where local divers enjoyed visiting. After all, the dive industry is built on word of mouth knowledge. I learned from my dive buddies and enjoyed building a network of divers around the country. Local divers are full of tips on


how to make a dive productive and enjoyable. Diving in the North Atlantic requires diff erent preparation than diving in a quarry. The advice from boat captains, divemasters and fellow instructors was invaluable for my photography. Local divers helped me fi nd interesting sites with


22 Magazine MISSORUI


Ozark Cave Diving Alliance team mates Dirk Bennett, Ben Perkins, and Steve Praprotnik illuminate a mine cart containing lead ore 1,000 foot inside Mine La Motte at 100 foot depth


workable visibility. No matter where I’m diving, it can be a fragrant car ride home! Some states are well-known for


diving dive sites. Florida is famous for its wrecks and cave diving. I snorkeled with manatees for the fi rst time on this journey. I enjoyed deep technical wreck diving on the Oriskany off the coast near Pensacola. After completing cave classes, I photographed Jug Hole. Other states were full of surprises.


I found blue water in Kentucky at Pennyroyal Scuba Center’s Blue Springs Resort. I fell in love with paddlefi sh at Loch Low-Minn Scuba Diving Resort in Athens, Tennessee. These fi lter-feeders are fi ve-foot long (1.5m) prehistoric wonders. Once common to America, paddlefi sh are a declining species. Overfi shing, pollution, and diminishing spawning areas (due to alterations in rivers) have severely impacted numbers.


Best and most challenging Determining my favorite state or dive is diffi cult. I am overwhelmed by the diversity of diving in America. What


I simply looked at state maps and searched for bodies of water. I would then look for a dive shop nearby and call


makes a wonderful dive is diff erent for every diver; for instance, I judge the success a dive on the quality of underwater photography I was able to create. Conditions also change. I experienced poor visibility and strong currents in locations famous for terrifi c diving.


Right: John Mills,


Chad Bruner, Fred Nichols, and Keith Colombo joined Jennifer on her 50th state dives


at 110’ on the bow of the Eber Ward in the Straits of Mackinac


Additionally, my dive buddies can infl uence how much I enjoy a dive. Wonderful encounters with enthusiastic divers transform otherwise mundane dive sites into meaningful experiences. I enjoyed diving with the Northeast Diving Equipment Group (NEDEG) in Pennsylvania. They hold two Working Equipment Rallies each year at Labor Day and Memorial Day. Volunteer members provide their own equipment for divers who want to experience the gear. Any certifi ed diver may participate.


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