Physically, were home but our minds and hearts are still at CCV. This was our first 2 weeks trip and I have to tell you, its the best way to go for us. No feeling of being rushed to do every single dive or get in those extra shore dives every day. Skipping a drop off dive occasionally just wasnt a big deal. It was a much more relaxed trip and I dont feel like we missed anything. Meeting all the folks I'd only previously known on the various boards was a real treat, all great folks. And then there was Doc. That sneaky bugger showed up for the whole 2 weeks. Herself came along the second week. The stories will just have to stay at CCV!
There was 28 in our group, mostly Swamp Divers from SB. My friend Capt. Randy, from nearby League City, had 14 in his group. You could say that Texas was well represented this trip!
Ollies kitchen was shipshape and the food was delicious. Several times I asked for leftovers of one meal or another for lunch the next day and the ladies were more than eager to do that. Leftover roast beef sandwiches are one of my favorites!
The first week I was sort of concerned that Id lost my photo gene. Normally the camera stuff comes first, its prepared the night before and each dive is a challenge to get that perfect shot. But this time, I didnt even unpack the camera until Sunday and had no real desire to get it in the water. Since I havent had my camera in the water since last years trip, I had some stuff to re-learn and get back into the swing of things. For instance, twice I forgot to even hook up the sync cable to my strobe! In the past that would have really ticked me off but I just switched to ambient light photos and actually had more fun than worrying about strobe placement, burnouts, etc. I did get into the photo mood during the last week and brought home some nice shots. Although I have to admit that I really enjoyed the dives I did without a camera more than ever. Chasing perfection in my photos is no longer a major interest; Beast and I like them so thats good enough for me.
I wont bore you with dive details, but there are a few that really stand out. We finally had the chance to go to Litas Hole on Saturday. Jesse was the only one who really knew where it was. Its now one of my favorite sites. Not dived very much, its still pretty much in pristine condition and with the nicest swim through. The surrounding reef is pretty with lots of life on it. Another memory is our first dive to Marys Place. Doc and I scouted out the new Scutts Slot, named in honor of our infamous San Miguel Mayor. Just past the fissure that makes the site famous, are two other smaller ones that are a bit tighter but just as pretty. Going through Calvins Crack all by myself, only the noise of my own bubbles is always a special treat for me. I can take the time to stop and notice all the life within the crack and enjoy the solitude.
There were a few snafus the first week. For one the resort was jam packed, even most of the beach houses were full. I think Billy said there were 82 divers that week! Our yellow boat was packed with 22 divers, as were the other 3 boats, the most weve ever had. Most on our boat were excellent divers but it could still feel like a train wreck at times. Our group was split on two boats and I do wish our boat had been filled out with others from our group but it all worked out. Getting Nitrox tanks analyzed was a real effort in scheduling. We had to get tanks for the next dives as soon as we got back to the gear locker. Then the Nitrox compressor went down one day, which put a strain on the air compressor time. I think it even went down fore awhile since the guys did go to Fantasy Island to fill some tanks. Since we had another week ahead of us, we skipped a few dives so others could get the tanks they needed. Kudos go to the whole dive staff, especially in dealing with disgruntled divers who apparently forgot that you CAN dive on air! They served us all with those classic island smiles when I can just imagine the strain they were all feeling. There must have been compressor gremlins loose on the island that week because not only was CCVs compressor down, the operation that does the shark dives also had compressor problems and some of our divers had to take their own tanks with them. During our second week, Fantasy Islands compressor went down and they were getting air from CCV ..its nice to get along with your neighbors!
The second week was more like were used to, we only counted about 40 people in the dining room at the busiest. There were no long lines in the clubhouse at mealtimes, just the normal wait for omelets and waffles. I had gotten in the habit of going to meals late to miss the lines. That wasnt necessary the second week. Much more laid back atmosphere. And only 11 on our boat all week! For the week I logged 42 dives, 44 hours total bottom time. Dive #700 happened appropriately one day on CCV Wall.
I haven't had time to go through all the photos yet but here are a few that I like...
You can see the rest of them HERE
Ill keep my last dive in my memory until I can return next year. We did Marys Place again on Friday morning. With no camera to hinder me, I hung back and Tulio let me be the last one in. Ah the solitude. The dark textured walls framing the blue of the opening at the end with sunbeams streaming from the surface. The only sound was the crackles and snaps of the shrimp and crabs that lived there.
As I moved along the wall, entering several crevices and zigzagging back and forth from one side of the reef to the other, the blue depths at the end of each path held me suspended. Entranced. Gazing into the depths at the edge of a wall always makes me wonder just what is down there. Probably that 25ft seahorse Tulio kept talking about!
The CoCo Chatters trip for next year is already booked and in the works. Only 348 days to go!
There was 28 in our group, mostly Swamp Divers from SB. My friend Capt. Randy, from nearby League City, had 14 in his group. You could say that Texas was well represented this trip!
Ollies kitchen was shipshape and the food was delicious. Several times I asked for leftovers of one meal or another for lunch the next day and the ladies were more than eager to do that. Leftover roast beef sandwiches are one of my favorites!
The first week I was sort of concerned that Id lost my photo gene. Normally the camera stuff comes first, its prepared the night before and each dive is a challenge to get that perfect shot. But this time, I didnt even unpack the camera until Sunday and had no real desire to get it in the water. Since I havent had my camera in the water since last years trip, I had some stuff to re-learn and get back into the swing of things. For instance, twice I forgot to even hook up the sync cable to my strobe! In the past that would have really ticked me off but I just switched to ambient light photos and actually had more fun than worrying about strobe placement, burnouts, etc. I did get into the photo mood during the last week and brought home some nice shots. Although I have to admit that I really enjoyed the dives I did without a camera more than ever. Chasing perfection in my photos is no longer a major interest; Beast and I like them so thats good enough for me.
I wont bore you with dive details, but there are a few that really stand out. We finally had the chance to go to Litas Hole on Saturday. Jesse was the only one who really knew where it was. Its now one of my favorite sites. Not dived very much, its still pretty much in pristine condition and with the nicest swim through. The surrounding reef is pretty with lots of life on it. Another memory is our first dive to Marys Place. Doc and I scouted out the new Scutts Slot, named in honor of our infamous San Miguel Mayor. Just past the fissure that makes the site famous, are two other smaller ones that are a bit tighter but just as pretty. Going through Calvins Crack all by myself, only the noise of my own bubbles is always a special treat for me. I can take the time to stop and notice all the life within the crack and enjoy the solitude.
There were a few snafus the first week. For one the resort was jam packed, even most of the beach houses were full. I think Billy said there were 82 divers that week! Our yellow boat was packed with 22 divers, as were the other 3 boats, the most weve ever had. Most on our boat were excellent divers but it could still feel like a train wreck at times. Our group was split on two boats and I do wish our boat had been filled out with others from our group but it all worked out. Getting Nitrox tanks analyzed was a real effort in scheduling. We had to get tanks for the next dives as soon as we got back to the gear locker. Then the Nitrox compressor went down one day, which put a strain on the air compressor time. I think it even went down fore awhile since the guys did go to Fantasy Island to fill some tanks. Since we had another week ahead of us, we skipped a few dives so others could get the tanks they needed. Kudos go to the whole dive staff, especially in dealing with disgruntled divers who apparently forgot that you CAN dive on air! They served us all with those classic island smiles when I can just imagine the strain they were all feeling. There must have been compressor gremlins loose on the island that week because not only was CCVs compressor down, the operation that does the shark dives also had compressor problems and some of our divers had to take their own tanks with them. During our second week, Fantasy Islands compressor went down and they were getting air from CCV ..its nice to get along with your neighbors!
The second week was more like were used to, we only counted about 40 people in the dining room at the busiest. There were no long lines in the clubhouse at mealtimes, just the normal wait for omelets and waffles. I had gotten in the habit of going to meals late to miss the lines. That wasnt necessary the second week. Much more laid back atmosphere. And only 11 on our boat all week! For the week I logged 42 dives, 44 hours total bottom time. Dive #700 happened appropriately one day on CCV Wall.
I haven't had time to go through all the photos yet but here are a few that I like...
You can see the rest of them HERE
Ill keep my last dive in my memory until I can return next year. We did Marys Place again on Friday morning. With no camera to hinder me, I hung back and Tulio let me be the last one in. Ah the solitude. The dark textured walls framing the blue of the opening at the end with sunbeams streaming from the surface. The only sound was the crackles and snaps of the shrimp and crabs that lived there.
As I moved along the wall, entering several crevices and zigzagging back and forth from one side of the reef to the other, the blue depths at the end of each path held me suspended. Entranced. Gazing into the depths at the edge of a wall always makes me wonder just what is down there. Probably that 25ft seahorse Tulio kept talking about!
The CoCo Chatters trip for next year is already booked and in the works. Only 348 days to go!
Nice to see the countdown has already begun!!!
