Back from Calif trip!

[robint]

We just arrived back home around 4:45pm today. It was a good trip, some ups and some downs. Car trouble forced us to make our 12 hour trip into 15 hours! :shocked2: But we arrived in plenty of time to crash on the boat before it departed Friday night.

We did make it to San Clemente (diving was awesome) and Catalina (good and bad). I will post a trip report with photos and videos with all the details later in the week. There were 6 dives on Saturday (5 day and 1 night) and 4 dives on Sunday though I don't think too many people did them all.

It was awesome to meet Ryan and Eric from Colorado. I think we have 2 more California diving addicts now. It was also great to dive with EricJ from Calif again. The five of us hung out together most of the trip.

Gear is soaking in the tub right now... gotta go eat and relax.

robin

 

[Kevrumbo]

Was out at Catalina Frontside (Black Rock & Indian Rock divesites) yesterday along with a basic OW class --warm surface temperature and the best viz/water clarity I've seen so far this season, even with the students stirring up the bottom. Looking forward to your report & pictures. ..

 

[ABQdiver]

Looking forward to your report. Glad you didn't miss the trip...... :shocked2:

I've always like the diving at San Clemente MUCH better than Catalina, looks like nothing has changed much.

 

[robint]

Looking forward to your report. Glad you didn't miss the trip...... :shocked2:

I've always like the diving at San Clemente MUCH better than Catalina, looks like nothing has changed much.

I just downloaded my video.... wow! :shocked2::crazyeye::dance3::sappy: I think the video footage came out even better than I expected. I will try to start editing tomorrow. Today I have to finish washing gear and get it hanging outside to drip dry, laundry, clean out refrig, .....

Kevin - last year's trip I would have said that San Clemente and Catalina were the same, just better vis on Catalina. This year, San Clemente far exceeded Catalina, maybe it was the time of year and maybe it was just the crowds. Either way, I am so glad we spent most of the trip at San Clemente!

robin

 

[robint]

okay........ here we go:

Video of Day 1: San Clemente Island, Sept 2009 on Vimeo


PLEASE.... let video load all the way before viewing!

robin

 

[ABQdiver]

Those are both awesome!! Great job!

 

[CCR Josh]

Thanks for sharing the video! Looks like fun.

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Hi Robin,

Great video as always, I was dissappointed that the trip sold out so fast. Diving the Magician (with classes from the Sports Chalet) was a nice consolation prize, but not the same. The great dive conditions you had we also present in Catalina and Lauguna Beach for some shore dives (not quit the vis of course, but pretty good).

 

[robint]

Hi Robin,

Great video as always, I was dissappointed that the trip sold out so fast. Diving the Magician (with classes from the Sports Chalet) was a nice consolation prize, but not the same. The great dive conditions you had we also present in Catalina and Lauguna Beach for some shore dives (not quit the vis of course, but pretty good).

We really missed you on the trip! There were several families from Utah on the boat, plus us from NM and CO so it is easy to see why it filled so fast. Those multi-day trips are great as you get in so many more dives than day trips, too, so people tend to snap up those spots quick.

We are working on pictures, Topside done, Underwater coming soon!
all photos here: California on the Great Escape - Sept 2009

a few to share for now

the boat

robin

 

[bikefox]

Thanks for posting the videos and pictures. We had a great time. Maybe next time we can get some more RMO to attend. I'll see you in Santa Rosa sometime this winter.

Ryan