My So-Called Dive Life
6/20/2006 - Dive Report, The Budweiser, June 17,2006
Location: Budweiser, Boynton Beach
Buddy: Dave
Depth: 89 feet
Bottom time: 43 minutes
Water temp: 71 degrees
Viz: 20 feet and DARK
Wave height: flat to 1 foot.
Well today we did a very nice wreck off of the coast of San Deigo called the Yukon...er wait...wrong coast!!! It was ACTUALLY the Budweiser off of Boynton Beach, but with the cooler waters and the GREEN GREEN conditions with current, you'd never know it. It was GREEN!!!!! I haven't experienced a dive quite like that in Florida, and I did think several times how much it resembled the Yukon. Viz was about 20 feet but VERY murky. And before you Californians call me a WWW...it was even green by CA standards! I've done night dives with more light.
I went with my friend Dave on a 2 tank trip on Pelican Dive Charters for a wreck/reef combo. Rich and Peg of Pelican rock! They made sure the day was enjoyable for the 6 divers aboard.
I experienced a TRULY dumba#% moment as I was gearing up....Ummm...where's my wetsuit??? Hanging up in my bathroom drying. Holy cow. But...I had paid...I had air...I was diving!!! Nothing like doing a 90 foot wreck in 72 degree water in a swimsuit!!! The last dive I did without a wetsuit was....hmmmm....Dive #100!!! 
I splashed down with my friend Dave and we went straight down to snag and to tie off on the wreck. I wanted to see if I could descend that fast and manage the multi-tasking of tieing off. I managed to get down and keep up with him, at least. Now sure how much the rope would have slowed me down, though. We dropped to the sand at 88 feet about 50 yards downcurrent in a 1.5 knot current or so. Dave was flying back against the current to get the wreck. At first all I saw was sand, but soon the wreck loomed into view.
Even tho it was sunk as an artificial reef, it's still impressive and even a bit spooky to see it towering ahead. It makes me wonder at the awe that must be felt when one descends on a wreck with history, such as the U-Who or U-352 or the Doria. It's eerily impressive, and as one is already dwarfed by the vastness of the ocean that surrounds us, the hulking steel frame of a sunken ship serves to complete my feeling of complete insignificance. It's truly awe inspiring.
We got up to the stern and Dave tied off the line, and we waited for the other divers to descend. And waited. And waited. (ok so I lie...we actually snuck around the aft portion of the ship, returning every couple of minutes to the line to see if the divers had landed. Dave thought I should penetrate so he could take my picture in a porthole. I gave him my best "Hello are you INSANE??!" look (as best as you can manage at 80 feet with a mask on) and pointed to my BARE legs. He laughed and nodded...guess he figured it out. 15 minutes into the dive, they arrived. Or 3 of 4 arrived. We asked the one where his buddy was and he just signalled ok. So we began to explore the wreck.
As the viz was truly not conducive to any sort of "big stuff" picture taking today, I decided to make this Christmas Tree worm day. So I busied myself looking at the hull looking for miniature photo ops. Dave and the others began their tour, and I lagged behind to take pictures. As the level of experience of today's divers was a little less, it was easy to find them when I wanted them. Bubbles were not visible but I just followed the trail of silt.  I found them up by the bow, dropped over the side in the sand. When I peeked over and saw them congregating, they were nodding and and "talking" looking pretty excited, so I knew they'd spotted something. Just my luck to be taking pictures of worms when the 600 pound goliath grouper shows up.  Oh well....here are the fruit of my labors...
As we were headed back towards the stern and the line, one of the divers signalled that he was down to 500 psi. At 80+ feet! Sheesh. So they hurried back to the line.....only to find....wayward diver #4 looking very lonely hanging on the line. APPARENTLY...she had decided to come back down after she went up, but the viz was poor and she didn't see us so she hung on the line. I felt so bad for her...it was definitely a dive worth seeing, even in poor viz. But she seemed to have pretty good spirits about it. I still felt bad tho. I probably only missed her by a minute, since I hung out on the stern alone. OH WELL. But we headed back up the line, I did my 3 minutes at 15 feet and surfaced to totally flat seas.
I truly LOVED this dive. It was cold and green (and colder since I was in a suit) and had current and it just ROCKED! i've had such easy braindead dives lately, it was great to have something that resembled a challenge. Having to think and plan...where is the line, what direction is the currant, etc, was just great! The other divers' previous dive experience was Caribbean only, so I was actually worried they wouldn't enjoy it. But after seeing a big grouper...I think they are realizing that there is more to diving that perfect viz...and how awesome FL diving can be.
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6/20/2006 - Dive Report, Boynton Ledges, June 17, 2006
Location: Boynton Ledges
Buddies: Mix and match during the dive.
Temp: 75 degrees
Bottom time: :46
Viz: 30 feet
Wave Height: flat
Dive Two for the day was your typical drift reef dive along Boynton Ledges. We splashed down after an hour surface interval and started drifting. Dave was hunting this dive, so I was carrying the flag. Another female diver who is also interested in hunting went along and hung with Dave the entire dive.
The other group of three caught up with us about 5 minutes into the dive, and Dave and our other partner drifted off to hunt. I found them once or twice, but gave up after that and just drifted along. Highlight of the dive was definitely a nice sized Southern Stingray. I came across him on a sand patch between the reef formation, and he was nice enough to hang around for a few pictures. He actually showed up twice more during the dive, and very close. I think he likes the spotlight. 
I also came across a large brain coral that was a sad example of bleaching. I took a picture...it was pretty dramatic. And sad.
I continued to have NO luck getting a decent photo of a Rock Beauty. They are one of my favorite fish...but apparently the feeling is not returned. They bolt the minute they see me coming.  Like....this.
Here is a small shrimp peeking out from the folds of a basket sponge. I really liked this picture.
About 35 minutes into the dive, the male divers signalled that they had 500 psi left and they were surfacing. The other female, Brenda, still had 1300 psi left and she stayed with me. Another few minutes passed, and I noticed I was down to 9 minutes BTR. Something clicks....hmm....I'm on Nitrox....she's on air. Hmmm....I grabbed her computer again....Crap...a SUUNTO!! 15 minutes into deco. DAMN! I signalled for us to go up..and as we approached our safety stop, I tried showing her the computer and signalling that she had to level off for 15 minutes. I don't think she understood, and in the proccess of trying to explain it, we floated up enough that her computer just went into lockout mode. Oh well....
When we surfaced, I explained what happened. She had about 10 dives, and all diving had been in tourist destinations, where the divemaster leads, etc. No thinking involved other than "Inhale, exhale, repeat as necessary." So it was interesting to explain. We looked at her husbands, and he was locked out also. This was their first dive with a computer.
It was just a reminder of the lack of information taught to divers in OW. I understand the economics behind the watered down OW classes, but I think there is alot more that should be taught. I guess...divers that love the sport go on to take continuing ed and learn all the things we aren't taught initially. I know when I had 10 dives...I had no concept of deco either. I was the same as them. And my first dive without a divemaster was in 53 degree water in Monterey, so staying down too long wasn't an issue.  In today's conditions, it was easy to stay down and overstay our welcome.
But...minor little blown deco stop issues aside, it was a nice dive and a nice day on the water!
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6/17/2006 - Yay!!!! Lazy spell broken...and random thoughts.
In the midst of moving and having a TON of things to do...I sat down and logged my dives tonight. 160!!!! I think my goal for this year was 70 logged dives total. I have done 37 dives this year. At this rate, I will more than meet my goal. Cocos will be about 20 dives. And I'm sure I'll get in 13 additional dives at some point this year. Yay!!!!!!!
On the "thought" front, I was noticing today as I was diving that I breathe differently underwater than I do above water. Above water, it's inhale/exhale...pause....inhale/exhale...pause... UNDER water, it seems to be more of an inhale....pause.....long slow exhale...inhale...pause....long slow exhale. Now what is weird...is when I try this sort of breathing on land...it feels weird. Underwater it seems to feel natural. Wonder why that is...but it seemed to develop naturally over time.
Hmmm...other thoughts. This sport is PAINFUL!!!! Today on the SI, I decided to hang out on the bow. Stepping up onto the bench...I slipped and scrapped the entire length of my shin down the front as I fell. OUCH!! I now have a bruise from one inch below my knee to my ankle. How attractive... 
I want a strobe before Cocos. Which, btw, is a mere 42 days away!! It seemed like FOREVER when I booked it in December of 2004. Now it's right around the corner! I was actually thinking that if I could log 20 dives in the next 42 days, I could make dive #200 in Cocos. But even for me, I think that's a bit ambitious. I've had a couple PM's from Scubaboarders about shore diving, tho. Sooo...who knows? Anything is possible! :)
Well, hope everyone is having a good weekend and getting some dives in. Ciao!!
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6/15/2006 - Wow I'm lazy...
I wonder if I'm starting to live on "island time." I really mean to write...and I just can't seem to get it done!
I've been SUCH a bad diver...I haven't logged a dive since #150. I think I'm at #158, but I'm really not sure. I have all the data on my computer, so it's on my "to-do" list to get them logged. When my husband was here, I took him out on a dive boat and I have to say he's coming along nicely! I guess he likes the warmer waters, he's certainly looking more comfortable underwater. The only disappointment was the dives we did were SOOO mediocre. I wanted to show him some beautiful S. Fl. diving. And what he saw were a couple grunts and alot of sand. But he has GREAT eyes on land for spotting wildlife, and I'm sure this will morph underwater. I guess since he was raised hunting..he just has his eyes fine-tuned to zero in on PREY. :) There are a few things to count on with him. If we play Monopoly, he wins. If there are brownies in the house, they don't last long. And if there is an elusive animal around, he will find it. So I'm looking forward to more diving with him. I'll bring him to CA...he will FIND that Dirona Albolineata, MSFDB! So you better beat me to it!!
So the move to the permanent dwelling is set for Wednesday. I have been doing some research into diving in the area and it's a mixed bag. Some old wrecks that are still explored are offshore. Some reports say the beach diving is "fun" and "a blast" and other reports say it's not worth hauling gear to the beach. The dive shop offered me NO help in finding a local(ish) dive club, so thank goodness for Scubaboard!
I was supposed to do a deep wreck on Sunday, the Jim Atria. However, I guess a group that didn't want to go to 130 feet came along and so they changed the location to the Sea Emperor. It's a wreck at 72 feet where they let you "feed the fish." So I guess it might make for some good pictures...but I'm just having a hard time getting enthused. There is so much going on, with the move and all. Might just have to wait....or look at other options.
Well thanks for letting me babble! Happy Bubbles!
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6/1/2006 - Appreciating FL topside...
This is a total "non-diving report." We (husband and myself) decided to spend a couple of days in the Keys. Since we have the kids we decided not to dive. For me, this is a complete change of pace. When I went to CA to "work" my mindset was always "Gotta dive gotta dive gotta dive" since I knew my time seaside was limited. Now that I've relocated to a house (fingers crossed...supposed to close June 30th) FIVE miles from the beach, I'm SOOOO much more relaxed.
We came to the Keys and while we discussed bringing dive gear and planning dives, we just decided...why bother? It's the Keys...it's not going anywhere. So we brought kids, and nothing but snorkel gear...and we are having SUCH a blast!!! Hanging out poolside...drinking Mai Thai's and Pain in the Asses (with floaters) just rocks. The kids are swimming, snorkeling, socializing, just enjoying hanging out. Mom and dad are swimming, socializing, drinking, napping. What a better way to spend a couple of days? We already extended our stay a couple days...why not?
I'm trying to make plans to dive the Hydro Atlantic next week (will be my deepest dive yet so it takes some planning) but right now I'm just enjoying being able to enjoy quality surface time! The countdown is on for my trip to Cocos Island (less than 2 months...WOOHOOO!!!) so right now...just in the mood to enjoy and socialize topside.
I love FL, btw. Why didn't I move here years ago?? Happy Bubbles!!!!
BB |
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5/15/2006 - Trip Report Part 2, Key Largo, FL
Dive #3, USCG Cutter Duane
Max Depth: 110 fsw
Viz: Amazing 100 feet
Bottom time: 32 minutes
The surface chop and dwindled to nothing and we moored up right on the Duane. Viz was AMAZING! As I was waiting for the rest of the group to get in the water (as we'd agreed to do a sort of 5-man group dive so everyone could get their maximum bottom time, and peel off as we ran out of air or bottom time) I poked my head under water and could see the deck of the boat at 100 feet below. It was awesome. I asked the divemaster about the depth of the wreck, and he was impressed at conditions. I could tell he wanted to dive. All of the other divers tried to coax him into the water, we all promised we wouldn't tell the shop if he just hopped in with us. In fact, since we were an uneven number in the group, maybe he needed to go along to even up the buddy teams?? But he was a good employee and declined. Not so sure I would have... 
The current seemed to be flat so I let go of the line of the way down...and was pretty much blown off the wreck. Guess that current picked up on the way down, huh? Anyway, no problem, I scrambled a little to get back to it and learned a lesson. Once on the wreck, we were pretty much shelted from the reef and began to explore. The boat had been scuttled in 1987 for diving, so it was full of life. We saw school fish, huge barracuda, and when I poked my head into one door, the fleeing form of a big goliath grouper. Of course I didn't take my camera on this dive, but hope to be able to post some pics that were taken by another diver, who had a sweet camera setup. So stay tuned...
Anyway, we had a decent 26 minutes of bottom time before we headed up the line. I decided to do my usual 5 minute safety stop since it was a deep repetitive dive, and surfaced. It was just a GORGEOUS dive...really doesn't get any better.
Dive #4
Location: Molasses Reef
Bottom time: 53 minutes
Depth: 39 feet
From the Duane, we headed 15 minutes over to the Molasses Reef. I had heard there were nudibranchs here. I was given thorough descriptions. I saw none. I guess I need MSFDB and his friend Merry here to nudi spot. Because I suck and didn't see a one. :) Oh well. Still a very beautiful shallow coral dive. I DID see three eagle rays and a large turtle. (I need to learn how to tell the difference between the Loggerheads and the Greens). One eagle ray came close enough for a photo op (see previous trip report for pictures.) We headed north then back south, and I still missed the boat. Oh where or where is MFDB when I need to navigate???? But one of the divers was low on air by this point, and surfaced and found the boat. I just followed him under water and continued to look around. In vain. For those darn elusive FL. nudibranchs. :)
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5/15/2006 - Trip Report, Key Largo, FL
Location: Key Largo, FL
Buddies: Boat assigned
Gas mix: 30% more or less
Water temp: 78-79 degrees
Surface swell: AM dives, choppy, PM dives, flat.
Dive #1: The Spiegel Grove
Depth: 96 feet
Bottom time: 30 minutes
After being in Florida for a couple of months, I finally made it down to Key Largo to do some dives. I wanted to dive the Speigel Grove, and the Duane namely, and found a shop with trips out on both boats.
The first dive was the Spiegel Grove. For those not familiar with our most famous South Florida dive site, this is a decommissioned naval "Landing Ship Dock" that was scuttled in 2002. After 7 months of careful preparations for her sinking, she began taking on water during on May 17 and sunk half in the water, creating much havoc. The navy had to utilize lift bags that created over 500 tons of bouyancy (makes even those tec bc's look like lightweights, huh) and with the help of a few tug boats, finally succeeded in getting her down on her starboard side on June 6, 2002. But wait...there's more.
Enter Hurricane Dennis, a power full storm that swept through the Caribbean south of Cuba and the Keys in July 2005. Though it was south of the area, it created strong storm surges in the area. After the storm cleared out, the keys dive operators went out to check conditions on the gigantic wreck...and found her upright. Dive operators were, needless to say, shocked and delighted.
I probably only went into this history to explain that when you see this wreck, the massive size of her is awesome in itself, and to imagine a storm surge strong enough to lift this vessel upright...is really unbelievable. Never underestimate mother nature.
Anyway, I went out with Quiescence Divers for two AM dives. We arrived at the Spiegel Grove and docked on SG5, the 5th of 8 available moorings. All were being used, so it's obvious that this is a popular site. We ascended through mild current and turbid conditions and explored along the hull. The current was not a problem, but viz was pretty mediocre, maybe 40 feet. We saw the usual suspects, blue tangs, one nice sized grouper, but due to the popularity of the site, I'm sure the fish are hesitant to make it their permanent home. Not much to report on this dive, while it has an interesting history, it's really pretty basic as a wreck. Not alot of life yet (hopefully with time.) We turned around at the about mooring 3, and made it back to Mooring 4 and ascended...oops....on the wrong line. :) Never let me navigate.  Anyway, a short surface swim and we were back on the boat headed to the next site.
Dive #2, The Bentwood
Max Depth: 36 feet
Bottom time: 46 minutes
We arrived at The Bentwood, another wreck, with a very short surface interval of about 30 minutes, and splashed down. This is actually the remains of a wreck, as it was moved from it's original site and dynamited to prevent it from being a marine hazard. The hull is only recognizable in a few areas, and the deck section intact for maybe 30 feet or so. However, it is teeming with life. Schools of yellow and blue and white grunts, and I saw LOTS of fish that looked like lunch! Lots of mutton snappers and yellow snappers. Yummy! Anyway... It was pretty basic dive, we circled the remains of the hull a couple of times, looking into any little hole we could find. I did take alot of pictures on this dive, and it was light and shallow with good viz, clearing maybe to 60 feet. Not alot of coral to speak of, but alot of life and no current, making it a nice pleasant second dive.
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5/12/2006 - Just RAIN already....
Get it over with!!! OMG today was miserable. MISERABLE. 95 degrees, completely gray and overcast, and I swear 99% humidity. It felt like a sauna...no worse. You couldn't breathe the air was so muggy. And it stayed cloudy ALL day. So I guess I'd better get used to summers in S. Florida???? 
I took comfort in the fact that even the life-long Floridians were complaining that today was exceptionally unpleasant. Hopefully it will rain and we'll get some better weather. I'm looking forward to the afternoon showers, actually.
Ok so enough on the weather. On to the diving! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!! I have a dive trip planned for this weekend to dive the Speigal Grove and the USCG Cutter Duane, two wrecks in the Keys. I CAN'T WAIT!!! I've wanted to do both of these wrecks for the longest time...and now I will have my chance!
My enthusiasm for MY trip was only somewhat dimmed when MSFDB told me they were going to attempt to put a float on the Caissons, one of the coolest sites in So. Cal. I was wishing I could be 2 places (diving) at once. I have shared with him that I think this plan is well-intentioned but flawed...that a float will not last long there, either the high waves and swells will get it, or the boat traffic. It will end up in Tahiti, or wrapped around a prop. And since I'm sure you're reading this, MSFDB, I still believe that we should start a pot on how long. And the winner gets...hmmm....the take from opening weekend bugfest next year??? I'm saying 6 days. That's my bet. In writing for the world to see.
I"m sure I'll be tired after a long day blowing bubbles on Saturday, but hope to have a trip report on Sunday! Hope everyone else gets the chance to get wet this weekend. BB 
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5/5/2006 - Trip Report, Lynn's Reef, Boynton Beach, FL 33411
Stats:
Location: Lynn's Reef, So. FL
Buddies: Solo
Max Depth: 64 fsw
Bottomtime: 60 minutes
Current: nil
Wave height: 0
The second dive today is a reef along the Boyton Ledge called Lynn's reef. A nice site, with the typical So. Fl bottom relief of sand around 55 feet, reef top around 45-50 feet. I descended down on the top of the reef and headed west to find the ledge. This was a drift dive...with very little drift as the current was almost none.
Apparently, someone told the lobsters that it is no longer lobster season and they can come out of hiding. I saw them walking across the sand, hanging out of their foxholes, just basically without fear. I lost count after 5 or 6. All legal sized, and I saw one BIG fellow. It's good to see them. Makes me hungry for next year! :)
I spent this dive getting pictures of queen angelfish. Fish proved their usual elusive and uncooperative subjects, but I managed to have two queen angels in the area that hung out long enough for me to take several shots. The Grey angels and French angels were not as cooperative.
My goal is to get pics of all the species of fish out here, a gallery of So. FL. fish species. A few are proving difficult, the Rock Beauty is one. They are SO SHY! The minute I get close they disappear. So this task should keep me occupied for awhile. I did get a couple shots of a cowfish and a spadefish.
I also saw this wispy type of sealife. I have NO clue what it is. Any ideas?
All in all....a very pleasant day under the waves. Happy Bubbles!!!!
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5/5/2006 - Bubbles again!!! Trip Report, Boynton Beach, May 5, 2006
Stats:
Location: Cpt. Tony, Boynton Beach, FL
Buddies: No one would have me today
Max Depth: 86 fsw
Temp: 77 degrees
Current: Almost 0.
Waves: 0. Gorgeous conditions.
Visibility: 60 feet.
Yay!!! Back in the water. After an exile from the water...or at least a break, I was able to make a couple of dives today. I hooked up with Lynn and the Gang from Splashdown Divers. The seas were like glass and we made a quick run to the Captain Tony. As I was alone today, I was able to gear up and splashed down as soon as we hit the site. Descending down in a gentle drift, the ship was in view almost immediately.
This was my third dive on the Capt. Tony, so I feel like we're old friends. I went immediately down to the front deck, peering into the cargo holds looking for the Goliath Groupers that are known to reside there. No luck, someone had beat me to it and as is usual when they hear the bubbles approach, these gentle giants beat a hasty retreat. But there was plenty of life to keep my attention on the hull. I dropped down along the port side, where I came upon the biggest hermit crab I'd ever seen. (If my mother is reading this...it was perhaps the ghost of Emily coming back to haunt me!) It was a monster, with intact front claws that would rival many Maine Lobsters. Very big.
It didn't seem to like my picture taking, and it advanced towards me with claws bared. I did not waste anytime backing off and waving bu-bye to this monster. I circled around the hull, taking a couple of pics of the prop that didn't turn out. Coming around, I could see almost to the bow of the boat from the back prop. I didn't see anything interesting along the hull or off in the surrounding sand, so I ascended back up onto the deck at the stern. I played around on the boat some more, able to take some more pictures of the bluebell tunicates that I so dearly love, and of some clams and an anemone.
As I was nearing the time to ascend, I came across a pair of divers taking pictures of a stonefish. I was happy to have a chance to get a couple more pictures of this interesting creature, as the last ones came out very poorly. Today's weren't much better. It's just very hard to get a picture of them because of the complete lack of contrast between the fish and their surroundings. Which is....the point, ya? Pretty effective camoflouge!! :)
A couple changes in the wreck today, I only saw a few little barracudas, not the big boys that I've seen on previous dives. They were sorely missed. One other thing that was different today, I was diving alone. I absolutely LOVE diving alone. In CA, I have MFDB and MSFDB, and diving with them is great. But so often, out here, I've been with strangers and that sense of comradery just isn't there. Diving alone is great though. Being at one with the water and creatures around you. Being able to control the dive, take pictures where I want, stop and go whenever I want. It was simply divine.
At any rate, the boats here like you to keep dives to an hour, so at 53 minutes bottom time, I headed up. A deep stop at 43 fsw for a minute and a half, and then a 5 minute safety at 18 feet. I could still very clearly see the wreck, and gently kicked against the mild current to stay in place during my stop, and surfaced at exactly 60 minutes. It was a lovely dive.
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5/3/2006 - Settled....sort of.
Hello all! Greetings from South Florida. It's so nice to be settled. Sort of. I'm at least "settled" into my temporary digs until the house in NM sells. I've spent hours browsing real estate web sites and really can't wait to get into another house. Apartments are so confining. I miss a yard and my gas grill and a garage and my OWN laundry room and all that goes with a house. Ojo does also, I'm sure. He likes to wander. I keep having to steer him away from the lakes on the property here. I haven't seen an alligator, but have heard that they dwell in almost all fresh water. I don't want him to be gator food. :)
So I made the 3 day drive in 2 days, and will be on a dive boat Friday. Can't wait! It's been almost a month since I blew bubbles and that is WAY too long.
Today is Chamber Day in California, I will miss that. And tomorrow is the day I was supposed to start IDC...but plans changed. That's ok. There have been so many changes in my life this year....almost all of them completely unexpected a year ago...even a few months ago. But I guess it's what keeps life interesting! Hope to have a trip report in a few days...meanwhile...hope anyone planning to visit the FL area will plan to let me know so I can show them the (dive) sites! Take care and DSDO!
BB
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4/28/2006 - Farewell, Sandbox....
Hello friends. Yes...this is my final entry from the Sandbox. Tomorrow morning (bright and early, hopefully) I will depart New Mexico. 35 minutes later I will enter Texas, and will continue eastward for another almost 2000 miles.
I'm dreading the drive, but I have a book on CD (Isabelle Allende, my favorite fiction author) and if that isn't enough, I have Ojo, Misty and Tinkerbell to keep me company. Well...at least Ojo. I procured a healthy amount of a sedative for the cats. I wasn't about to listen to meowing for 2000 miles.
This week we've been packing, and if that wasn't stressful enough, of course we have the house open all weekend (because it's the Home Builders Association Showcase weekend and there are lots of homebuyers out and about. Pick mine pick mine!! :) Try packing to move...and keeping it spotless to show it. Not a good combination.
So even with the ups and downs.....I'M SO EXCITED!!! I feel so good about the move...moving to where I don't travel anymore for work, and to where I have kick ass diving right in my backyard. The kids are so jazzed...they can't wait for school to be out to join me. Of course my pooch is completely stressed out. He is good at traveling, and loves riding in the truck. But he is a bit OCD while we're getting ready and things aren't "in their place." Currently he's alternating between jumping on the bed to be with me, and pacing the house stressing over all the changes. :) He's worse than me. Do they make doggy Xanax???
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4/25/2006 - TOP TEN THINGS I LOOK FOR IN A DIVE BUDDY
Hilary's Top Ten Things she looks for in a Dive Buddy:
10) A Great Diver.
9) Understands the Little Stuff.
8) Understands my underwater "That's so cool!" dance.
7) Adventurous but smart about it.
6) Shares stories and paints pictures with words of places I have
yet to visit.
5) Has better eyesight than me.
4) Isn't afraid to teach me (or offer to carry my gear!!)
3) Is there in good dives and bad dives.
2) Is as fun topside as they underwater.
1). Understands how blessed we are to experience this amazing
underwater realm.
So to Mike, Phil, Michael, Travis, Jeff, Chris, Dave, Albert, Dan, and Lisa, and all of those with whom I hope to someday traverse our underwater realm, thanks for being great dive buddies and let's blow bubbles soon! |
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4/21/2006 - Senseless ramblings the Sandbox....
Good morning, bloggy friends.
I'm writing this from the sandbox, because as is the norm, I have a TON of stuff to do and I'm procrastinating. This is not unusual for me...so I'm not surprised. And I don't even get mad at myself anymore. I just put it off until about 2 days before I leave, at which point I will begin frantically sorting and cleaning and packing.
Next week I leave for a THREE DAY DRIVE to Florida. I think that will be the worst part. I like driving for about...a day. Three days is gonna be tough. But I have to get my dog and my truck out there somehow, and SO....just gonna have to be done. And since I'm making the sacrifice...I may as well pack a few things I can't live without. Like towels and a couple computers and my martini bar set. 
So this is exciting! I have my furniture set to be delivered May 2, the kids are excited to get out there, they are skipping the last couple days of school (no one does anything those days but try to calm the savages until that last bell rings anyway) and headed out May 24th. They have already scoped out free surf lessons (Saturdays at 7 AM...OMFG!! I told them that THEY had to set the alarm and THEY had to get me up or it wasn't gonna happen. So we shall see....)
Oh wait..this is my DIVE blog. So um....I bought Stef dive gear for her birthday. New fins and mask. She has my old reg and computer. Now I need a BC. And YES I am looking on Ebay. I figure right now she's an XS, and she could be a medium in...like....six months. Or less!! She's at "that age." (She would be so mortified if she knew I was writing this...I love being a parent and embarrassing my kids. ) So I'm not paying retail for a BC. And my middle one will be 10 in August...so she is counting down the days. I'll have her in Junior Open Water as soon as possible. She is my outdoorsy one, hates to read. I keep telling her, "You have to read that Open water book before I'll put you in class." And she whines and moans. And my oldest tells her "You'll fall asleep in Ch. 6. I did." That's probably the one on decompression, right? Glad I have safe junior divers...
Ok I've babbled long enough...now I can get to work. Oh wait...it's time for me to get ready for my lunch date. Guess it'll have to wait longer. I don't feel so bad. I just got my horoscope via text message (that is fun...I recommend it...blinko.com) and it says to take time out of my day to stop and think about life. And...I just did.
Hope y'all are diving this weekend! I'm "grounded" til the first week of May, but will hopefully get down to the Keys to dive Speigal Grove and the Duane the second or third week of May. That's the plan!
Happy Bubbles!!!
BB
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4/13/2006 - More Surface Thoughts....
Tae left a comment on my last entry... "The hardest decision is the one you do not make." I thought that was quite poignant, so thank you, Tae. 
And today I made my decision. Or rather, certain events made it for me. Two issues that had been hanging over my head resolved themselves today, and all of the sudden my doubts and fears about moving just seemed to dissolve.
I'm so excited! I think my gypsy spirit came back to visit me (She apparently had been on leave for awhile because I'd been feeling unsettled about being..unsettled. Which is unusual for me.)
So I went shopping and just enjoyed the day in mostly sunny Florida. I'm looking forward to this....it's going to be a good thing. It means I have to postpone IDC, which I'm a little bummed about. But...I can take instructor training here if I should decide that's what I want to do. The more I think about it though, I think I want to get some more experience as a Divecon before I take that step.
Guess everything works out in the end, huh?
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4/9/2006 - Surface thoughts.....
My mom came to visit me and left this morning. It was so nice having her here for a visit, we had a great time. I was able to take her on a dive boat with me so she could at least experience the ambience of a dive boat on the surface. I know I'll never get her under the waves, but she loves how passionate I've become, so that means something.
So now that she left, I'm sitting here relaxing, watching the Masters, listening to the rain. I'm contemplating some big changes in my life and I guess all the thinking (ouch...I hate thinking) has really got the best of me. Maybe I'm not relaxing, I'm immobilized.
I'm thinking about making Florida a permanent home. Read back to my entries from a few weeks ago, both here and MySpace, and I wasn't even all that excited to come here. But I managed to catch up with an old friend from previous travel contracts that lives here, and we've had so much fun. She's shown me all the hot spots. And the Happy Hours...OMG! 2-for -1's almost everywhere!! Every day off has been filled with things to do. The weather (at least right now) is just gorgeous. And of course, the diving. I've just LOVED it. It is really one of the best places in the world to dive. So much variety. There is also plenty of work available, unlike NM. I won't have to travel anymore for decent compensation. My children are OVERWHELMINGLY in favor of a move. I get emails trying to convince me on an almost daily basis. "I can surf! I can dive! I can swim all year! And as an afterthought..."Oh...and you won't have to leave anymore!!!" I see where I rate. My husband seems supportive. My friend even has a 3/2 condo in West Palm and is more than willing to rent it to me for only 4 months while I look for a place to buy.
And... I have in front of me at this very moment a contract securing my position through "off-season" (basically the summer, when the snowbirds flock back to New England and healthcare jobs dry up), and with very good compensation, I might add. And yet I've looked at it for the better part of the last week, and have not signed it. And have avoided the recruiter's calls. SO....wtf? I guess....I'm still undecided.
Maybe I don't want to let the vacation feel of this place lull me into a sense of false happiness. It's like...I've had so much FUN here...maybe I'm worried that it will get old when the honeymoon is over? Some of the people do bug the hell out of me. Does the sun and water and great food and (part-time) good weather make up for that?
Someone suggested that I should spend a summer here before I make up my mind on a permanent relocation. Well summers in NM are certainly no fun (thus the reason i usually work in CA in the summer!!!) so that really doesn't deter me. Nor do hurricanes. I'm sure they suck. I've been through many many tornados growing up, and the fires in CA, and a few earthquakes, etc etc etc. The humidity will bother me more. (I suggested I might be a snowbird and summer in New England with the kids if I REALLY hated it...but my husband informed me that IF we move, my travel days are OVER. OOoooo I love it when he gets all authoritative on me...  ) But...he has ways of being persuaded. When the 3 women of the house gang up on him...he doesn't last long.  Anyway, my friend keeps telling me it would be a good move, she's lived her for several years and wouldn't live anyplace else. It does have so many positives. I can be with the family all year round, I can make alot more money doing it. I can dive year round, I already have made some friends.
So...I guess I'm leaning towards signing it....I have to make a decision tonight. Maybe I'll head to Flanigan's and ponder it over Happy Hour.. Did I mention the Happy hours???
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4/9/2006 - Trip Report and Pics, Castle Ledge and Black Condo, Boynton Beach, FL April 8, 2006
Stats: Dive #149, #150!!! WOOHOO
Gas: 21% air
Buddy: Dave B.
Depth: 64 feet, 62 feet
BT: 46 minutes, :52 minutes
Water temp: 76 degrees
Surface swell: 1-2.5 feet, choppy
Current: Mild
Today was a special day...it marked a milestone, my 150th dive. It also was special because I was able to take my mother out on the dive boat with me. She is not a water rat, in fact she doesn't swim and isn't very comfortable even on boats. But she wanted to see what this "diving" was all about since I seem to like it so much.
Today I went out with Splashdown Divers for a two tank reef trip. It was a nice warm day, seas were forecast to be high but it wasn't a problem. This was a recreational dive for my friend Dave, who likes to hunt primarily, but agreed to do a recreational dive as our usual boat, the Loggerhead, was in drydock and Splashdown does not allow spearfishing. He said as we were going down, "I figure this will be the day I see a big hogfish...the one time I don't have my gun." He wasn't wrong. We splashed down and descended to 64 feet on the sand, then cut east to catch the main reef. Within 5 minutes we spotted a good-sized Hogfish. It let us get within about 8 feet of him, more than close enough to have made him dinner. But alas...today he was safe. :)
Shortly after we ran across a huge green moray. Now...are they aggressive or not? Because they just scare me and I try to give them plenty of room. Dave insists they are "docile" and I should get close to get pictures. But I didn't trust him so as the eel came a little further out of his hole, I backed up and my pics of him sucked. BUT...more to come... 
We continued along the reef for just a really beautiful dive. Viz was great, only a really gentle current, and the fish were so numerous. It really hit home today how BEAUTIFUL the diving here is, and how lucky I am to be able to enjoy it so often. I have been diving some cool places, and I think the diving off of Boynton Beach is some of the most awesome. The number of schooling fish is amazing, far more than I saw when last in Cozumel. There is the depth here that you have to work hard to find in alot of reef destinations. And there are so many wrecks along here, it never gets boring. There are pelagics, a few hammerhead sightings a year, schooling fish, and beautiful coral. Now if I could just find those elusive Florida nudibranchs.
I stopped to hang out along a shelf in the ledge where I came across a french angel. I've decided that fish are hard to catch in pictures. They just don't sit in one position for long, and they always swim in front of you instead of beside you. However, this one was tucked back in the coral and swimming circles and didn't mind that I stopped to watch. In fact he posed quite prettily, wouldn't you agree??
Right next to him, I found a nice sized Spotted Drum. These are not uncommon but not particularly numerous either. I haven't seen one in a few dives so it's always fun to see one, and this one was also kind enough to stick around for a picture.
Since Lobster Season is officially over, they are starting to venture out. I lost count after I saw five. This one let me get pretty close and I got a good shot of him. I tried to get closer and figured he'd back into his hole. But it didn't appear that he had anyplace to go, because as I got closer, he lunged at me. They really can't hurt me but it did give me a start. I screamed underwater, dropped the camera, and had to set up again. It was pretty funny...scared of a wee lil' lobster...
You look yummy....too bad I'll be in Cocos for mini-season in July. 
I was on the turtle lookout, as they are really one of my favorite. I didn't see any. But I figured out why soon enough.
As the dive was coming to a close, we came across this big beauty...
She was HUGE! By far the biggest nurse shark I've seen. She swam away as we inched closer but it was a really great sighting, capped off a really great dive.
I was consuming air a bit faster this dive due to being a bit underweighted. This was my first dive on an AL80 in quite awhile. Ugh! I miss steel, it's the best choice for diving IMO without a doubt. So at only a little over 40 minutes BT I headed up.
Dive two was at a location called Black Condo off of Boynton. This dive had the same water conditions but no surprise sightings. I did run across another Spotted Drum but was drifting too fast to get a picture. I also came across a little area that had a pass-through. It was pretty small to swim through it, but I did get a nice picture of the blue striped grunts who were keeping out of reach of the predators. This picture shows the coral, plus an abundance of the schooling fish here. They are awesome.
As we were nearing the end of the dive, Dave again spotted another moray. This one was not quite as big, but it was every bit as beautiful. Did I really ever think these creatures were ugly? I think they are so neat. This one was actually docile acting, just posing for pictures. I took several that turned out but the vote from Phil and Merry is that this pic was the best. I could have taken pics of him all day.
He was pretty cool.
I added 2 pounds this dive and my weighting was perfect, so my SAC plummeted. I could have stayed down drifting for quite a bit longer. But I started to head up with 10 minutes BTR remaining, since I was on air.
My mom had a GREAT time on the boat, and she could see that my enthusiasm is echoed in the other divers as well. What a great way to spend a Saturday...just almost paradise.
Happy Bubbles!! BB
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3/31/2006 - Boynton Ledge, Tumbles North, March 30, 2006
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Depth: 61 fsw BT: 51 minutes Buddies: Don't go there Water temp: 76 degrees Current: Mild < 1 knot Surface swell: 1-2 feet Today's second dive was a reef dive. Lobster season ends tomorrow at midnight (03/31/2006) so everyone is trying to grab a few more bugs. We descended down on the inside of the reef and drifted along. I was carrying the flag and we started with 4 divers. I stopped to swim west a ways to catch a few snapshots of a pretty sea turtle, and the others continued ahead. Wouldn't I pick this time to find 2 and possibly 3 lobsters? I couldn't get anyone's attention, so if those little fellows can hold out just one more day...they are safe til July. I love lobster but I also like to root for the under dog. :)  
Pretty quickly two of the hunters that I have dived with before paired off, leaving me and one other bug hunter to dive. I didn't know this guy, and didn't really care...but I will admit I was a bit annoyed that I got ditched. I was tired from the first dive. We drifted along, I didn't see any more bugs but I did find a nice anchor. I was contemplating taking it up, but wasn't sure what the heck I would do with an anchor. But my buddy came over and saw it and was more than happy to take it up. I drifted along ahead of him while he grabbed it, but then when I turned around a couple minutes later, he was gone! At this point, I will admit that I was annoyed. I was all alone, not sure if he was struggling with the anchor to get it to the surface or what. A signal that he was going up might have been nice.... I looked around for a bit...again anxious. I didn't know this guy...and yes...it's the protocol for the diver without the flag to keep the diver WITH the flag in site. But I was worried enough to swim back up current a bit to see if I could find him (I didn't.) But, I guess to put a positive spin on things, I did see two sites that made the trip upcurrent worthwhile. The first was a stonefish. This was the first of this variety that I've encountered in S. Fl. She was a beauty. If she hadn't been moving at first, I would have never seen her. She posed for several pictures.
The second site was a grey angelfish that had obviously suffered a pretty traumatic injury in the past. A good half of her tail was missing. It looked to me like a barracuda had ambushed her, taking out one huge bite before giving up. But she had healed completely, with even the injured section taking on the beautiful varigated scale pattern of grey angels. She also swam as well as the others, in my observation. Just goes to show you how well we can compensate when the need arises. :) So that was uplifting. But...I never did find the wayward missing diver.
Since I was down to 2 minute BTR (remember I had a long deep dive for Dive 1), I headed up. I was just completely ready to get to the surface by this time, the water had murked up and I don't really like floating along in murky water hanging on the flag...but I used reasoning to convince myself that at least a 4 minute safety stop was prudent considering I was in the yellow. So after 4 minutes I surfaced, of course everyone else was aboard. I just didn't even talk to anyone, I gathered my gear and left. Maybe it was me...maybe I was overly tired....but it just didn't end the day on a good note. I think I"ll take a couple weeks off from diving. If I'm that easily annoyed....I might need a break.
Here are pics of the stonefish and half-tailed angel.
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3/30/2006 - Trip Report, M/V Castor March 30, 2006
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Location: M/V Castor, Boynton Beach, FL Buddies: Dave Gas: 32 % Depth: 110 fsw BT: 37 minutes Water temp: 76 degrees Current: Brisk ( 3 knot )
Surface swell 2-3 feet Today I was able to dive a wreck that I'd been wanting to do for awhile, the M/V Castor. This is a 258 feet long cargo freighter that was seized by the US Customs in 1999 carrying over 10,000 pounds of cocaine. The ship was scuttled in 2001 as an artificial reef. We set off on the morning boat and jumped in. Dave, my buddy, had the job of tying off so he rocketed below the water.  The boat did one swing around for the remaining 4 who planned to dive the wreck. I was supposed to jump off next as Dave and I were buddied off but a photographer ended up in front of me and went in first. We could tell at the surface the current was strong, so I jumped in quickly while he gathered his gear and made it to the buoy and started down second. The current was RIPPING as I went down, I was having to work to get down and having a hard time orienting myself. I could barely see Dave's bubbles but they were so far behind the line, it made me wonder where he ended up. As I got closer I saw him and realized it was just the current blowing the bubbles off the wreck. He had tied off along a port railing, not at the stern where he wanted, but it ended up being perfect, as we could get down in a walkway channel and get shelter from the current. We explored along this channel, then when we wanted to see something, we'd pop up over it and then quickly hunker down into another protected part. We did the entire dive this way, which honestly made it alot of work. That being said, though, it was BEAUTIFUL. I saw at least a dozen Goliath grouper. Every time I'd think I had seen the largest, he was usurped by another of even larger stature. They are very skittish, tho, never letting you get very close. 
We dropped down on the main part of a lower deck and explored, seeing multiple varieties of schooling fish. We circled around the bridge section to the stern, coming around the starboard side. There were some rooms mid level on that deck I wanted to explore, but Dave was ahead of me and bypassed them, and I did not want to get seperated. So I swam around the starboard side, following him. At this point we were exposed to the full force of the current, which pretty much forced us to pull ourselves forward with fingerholds along the hull. We made it around to the front, again somewhat protected, and gazed out over the scene. The Goliath groupers were congregating in large numbers here...it was amazing. Making it back over to our portside "channel", we swam along that to the bow, where off the port side was a school of barracuda easily numbering 100 or more, along with a school of Yellowtail. How interesting is it...that Yellowtail are the favorite food of Barracuda...and they school together? Interesting, huh? Anway.... I was down to 6 minutes BTR when we headed up the line. 
As Dave untied the line from wreck, I couldn't help but worry about the other divers. We had stayed within visual range of the downline almost the entire dive but hadn't seen them descend. It was just a very nagging concern as I ascended, that maybe we were leaving divers on the boat. In that current, a free ascent would have been very unpleasant. At the very best, they'd have been blown out to sea, making us search to find them. Had they been on air and in deco...it would have made for sloppy deco. This was very much on my mind as we ascended.
But when we surfaced, they were on the boat. Apparently they had tried to follow my bubbles down but lost the line on descent, and opted to ditch the dive given the conditions. The photographer said he had "lost hold" of the line and had tried following my bubbles down, but lost them. This bothered me..felt like I had somehow ruined his dive. But it was tough conditions...probably at the threshold of where I'm comfortable. I had alot of respect for Dave for getting that line tied off in that current...I think he was proud of him too.  All in all, a beatiful dive, even if it was alot of work. 
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3/30/2006 - Trip Report: Boynton Beach, FL (Boynton Ledges)
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March 29, 2006
Location: Boynton Beach, FL (Boynton Ledges)
Max Depth: 65 fsw, 60 fsw
Bottom Time: :34, :32
Today was a little different as I got to play divemaster. I say "play" of course, since I wasn't on an SSI store sponsered activity. (My instructor reads this sometimes...so I have to play by the rules.  I agreed to go diving with a diver who had alot of experience...15 years ago. But hadn't been in the water since, other than a refresher course in the pool. So we went out on the Loggerhead for a couple of dives.
On dive one, he had a few surface issues. But I talked him thru it and we descended to have a really nice dive. Saw the usual suspects, along with one good sized loggerhead turtle. It was the typical Boynton Ledges drift dive, with the sand around 65 feet and the reef rising up about 10-15 feet, with lots of schooling fish and various life.
On the second dive, I had a tank mishap (or a computer mishap...not sure which.) My computer was registering 1560 psi on each tank. Not sure if I'd received a short fill or what. So I went down on the tank, and did have a nice 30 minute dive with a full 3 minute safety stop. When I surfaced and was switching out tanks, I hooked up my reg to the other tank and THIS time it registered a full 3240 psi. Soo...whatever the case, I have a full tank for tomorrow. :) The viz was down a little on this dive, maybe 30-40 feet. And the current was up, but it made the life more plentiful. It was a really pretty dive.
Today was different, it was diving that wasn't "all about me." It was fun. Maybe being an instructor won't be all drugery and work. :) But...I am looking forward to tomorrow's dive. We're doing a wreck in the morning, the Castor.
Here are a few pics I snapped. And none are any good. I need a strobe....
 
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