Having recently traveled through western Texas' Chihuahuan Desert (and only barely escaping!), I know how lip-crackingly, nose-bleedingly, palm-chappingly dry it can be out there. Diving in the area is one of the last things I would ever consider...unless by "diving," you meant diving into sand. Consequently, I was surprised when I read the headline "A spring-fed pool in dry west Texas has become ... A divers' oasis." Yeah...right.

But it's true! Texas' Balmorhea State Park -- literally, an oasis in the desert -- offers the unusual opportunity to do some diving in the Chihuahuan Desert. Located just south of Pecos, Texas -- and about 200 miles southeast of El Paso -- the Park features a 3,500,000-gallon, L-shaped pool that occupies nearly 2 acres. Filled by a continual flow from the San Soloman Spring, the 70-something-degree water in the pool is available to both swimmers and divers. For an oasis, it sure boasts a huge variety of marine life, from tiny tetra to foot-long catfish to plate-sized turtles, most of which are used to hand-feeding. Although max depth is only 25 feet, the pool boasts a vis of nearly 4 times that! With camping and lodging facilities onsite, if you're looking for a way to beat the heat in Texas, this is it.