Diving, Traveling & Friendship: Our Fall Adventure at Devil’s Lake
Martin Gomez Oct 19, 2026
Diving, Traveling & Friendship: Our Fall Adventure at Devil’s Lake
Loves Park Scuba | October 16–17, 2026
Sometimes the best diving adventures are not measured by underwater visibility or the number of dives, but by the memories we create and the people we share them with.
Friday: Preparing for a Cold-Water Adventure
Our journey to Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin, actually began on Friday afternoon at Loves Park Scuba.
Before hitting the road, Karey and Jake completed their dry suit training in our indoor pool. For approximately two hours, they practiced the essential skills required to dive safely and comfortably while using a dry suit.
After successfully completing their pool training, we began preparing and organizing our scuba equipment for the adventure awaiting us the following morning.
This trip was especially meaningful because it was practically a Loves Park Scuba staff outing, giving us an opportunity to spend time together, celebrate the end of our local diving season, and appreciate the friendship and teamwork that make our dive center so special.
Saturday: A Freezing Morning and a Beautiful Road Trip
Our meeting time was 7:00 AM.
As we began loading tanks, dry suits, regulators, and the rest of our scuba equipment into the truck, the temperature outside was a chilly 32°F (0°C). The windshields were covered with frost!
It certainly felt like winter was knocking on the door.
Fortunately, as we started our approximately two-hour drive toward Devil’s Lake, the sun appeared and the skies became completely clear. With temperatures expected to reach around 60°F later in the day, our expectations for the adventure began to rise.
During the drive, there was plenty of conversation, laughter, and storytelling. Those moments made the journey feel much shorter and reminded us that sometimes the road trip itself is part of the adventure.
Arriving at Devil’s Lake: A Change of Plans
We arrived at Devil’s Lake State Park at approximately 9:00 AM.
There were still relatively few visitors in the park.
Because we had heard that the North Shore parking area was undergoing repairs, we initially entered through the South Shore parking area. After stretching our legs and taking a quick look around, we decided to investigate the north side anyway.
To our surprise, we found a group of approximately six divers already preparing their equipment near the usual diving area.
That made it easy to identify a suitable entry point.
However, the morning sun had not yet reached that part of the shoreline, and the temperature was still quite cold.
So we made a very important decision.
Breakfast first!
A Little Trip Back to the 1950s
We left the park and headed to Broadway Diner, a charming retro restaurant that made us feel as though we had traveled back to the 1950s.
The classic atmosphere, nostalgic decorations, and delicious food provided the perfect setting for a hearty breakfast before our dive.
After enjoying a satisfying meal and recharging our energy, we returned to Devil’s Lake.
But something had changed.
The parking areas were now completely full!
We unloaded our scuba equipment near the shoreline and then began searching for somewhere to park the truck.
With so many visitors walking through the area, we decided to divide our team into two buddy pairs. This allowed one pair to remain on the surface, keeping an eye on the equipment and providing support while the other pair was underwater.
It was a practical decision that helped us manage the busy conditions safely.
First Dive Team: Jack and Jake
Jack and Jake were the first buddy team to enter the water.
Before their dive, they carefully checked their equipment and spoke with divers from the other group to learn more about the underwater conditions.
The information was straightforward:
-
Water temperature: approximately 60°F (16°C)
-
Underwater visibility: approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters)
Not exactly Caribbean conditions!
Nevertheless, they completed their pre-dive checks, entered the lake, and began exploring.
Meanwhile, Karey and Martin stayed on the surface, monitoring the equipment and keeping an eye out for an available parking space.
Eventually, a spot opened up near our location.
Getting the truck into that space turned into a small adventure of its own, as other drivers were also trying to park there!
Fortunately, we managed to coordinate everything and bring the truck closer to our equipment.
One more mission accomplished!
When Jack and Jake returned from their dive, they shared their observations. Divers from the other group also offered helpful suggestions about the underwater navigation route.
Now it was time for the second team.
Second Dive Team: Karey and Martin
After completing our equipment checks and buoyancy preparation, Karey and Martin entered the water.
Let the adventure begin!
The first part of the dive took us through an extensive underwater meadow filled with aquatic plants and countless small snails.
We spent approximately five minutes navigating at a depth of only five feet before reaching a rocky pathway.
That was our signal to continue into deeper water.
Following the rocky route, we eventually discovered one of the lake’s underwater attractions: a sunken wooden canoe.
With visibility limited to approximately five feet, maintaining buddy contact and paying close attention to our navigation were especially important.
We applied the rule of thirds to our planned navigation time, allowing approximately 15 minutes for the outward route and 15 minutes for the return, with additional time reserved for contingencies.
Our goal was to return as close as possible to our original entry point.
And during the return navigation, Karey made an unexpected discovery.
A pair of sunglasses resting underwater!
Apparently, Devil’s Lake had decided to offer us a little souvenir.
One Dive Was Enough — Time to Explore Above the Surface
Although we enjoyed our underwater adventure, the limited visibility encouraged us to reconsider our original plans.
Rather than completing another dive under the same conditions, we decided that one dive per buddy team was enough for the day.
After all, Devil’s Lake has much more to offer than its underwater scenery.
We packed our equipment and took some time to enjoy the beautiful autumn landscape.
The surrounding cliffs, colorful trees, clear skies, and peaceful lake created a spectacular setting.
The brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows of the fall foliage made the park especially beautiful.
Sometimes the best decision a diver can make is to recognize the conditions, adjust the plan, and enjoy everything else the destination has to offer.
A Perfect Ending at Vintage Brewing Co.
After our diving adventure and time exploring the park, we headed out for a well-deserved meal.
Our destination was Vintage Brewing Co.
We enjoyed sitting outside in the sunshine, surrounded by beautiful fall weather, good food, and great company.
Some of us also sampled a selection of locally crafted beers while relaxing after the day’s activities.
But the best part was simply enjoying the friendship and camaraderie of our group.
Choosing this restaurant turned out to be an excellent decision by Jack.
At one point, I asked him:
“Jack, how did you find this place?”
Without hesitation, he replied:
“Natural navigation!”
Everyone burst into laughter.
As scuba divers, we spend so much time learning underwater navigation techniques that apparently those skills can also help us find a great restaurant!
More Than Just a Dive Trip
Looking back, our Devil’s Lake adventure was much more than a day of diving.
It was a celebration of another successful diving season at Loves Park Scuba.
It was an opportunity to practice new skills, explore a different underwater environment, adapt to challenging conditions, and appreciate the incredible autumn scenery of Wisconsin.
Most importantly, it was a chance to strengthen the friendships that make our diving community so special.
We began the morning in freezing temperatures, traveled under beautiful blue skies, explored the underwater world despite limited visibility, discovered a sunken canoe, found an unexpected pair of sunglasses, and ended the day laughing together over a wonderful meal.
Not every dive needs perfect visibility to become an unforgettable adventure.
Sometimes all you need is a good buddy, a sense of adventure, and the willingness to enjoy the journey.
Until Our Next Adventure!
From all of us at Loves Park Scuba, thank you to everyone who helped make this season special.
Whether we are exploring local lakes, traveling to distant destinations, learning new diving skills, or simply sharing stories around a table, our passion for scuba diving continues to bring us together.
Because at Loves Park Scuba, diving is more than a sport — it's a community, a friendship, and a lifetime of adventures.
Dive Safe. Travel Often. Explore Together.
LOVES PARK SCUBA
7307 N. Alpine Rd., Suite C
Loves Park, IL 61111
(815) 633-6969
