Dive Report: Tex Edwards, Pensacola, FL

[MRXRAY]

Saturday July 9th 2008: (30 years to the day after Denise first graced the world with her presence)

Denise (DensieGG), Andy (Her Son), Derek (dereks040581) and I met at the Shoreline Park boat ramp in Gulf Breeze, FL at 10:00 to what was originally supposed to be a shore dive to Ft. Pickens. After some quick chit/chat and more than a couple of visits from the parking/ramp Nazi we were on our way. It didn't take long to realize that the conditions were extraordinary. So after a short discussion we decided to skip Ft. Pickens and head for open water! Man did we make the right choice, the intercoastal was flat the pass was the smoothest I've ever saw, and the Gulf looked like a Pond!!!! It was truely a blessed day! At the pass we talked over where we should go, and with a new diver on board we opted for some shallower stuff and since Denise, and Andy had hit some of the other inshore wrecks we finally opted for the Tex Edwards (About 8 Miles East of the P'Cola pass).

We hit the site at about 11:00 quickly found the wreck among 3 fishing boats (No one really close to the wreck) and had our anchor set relatively quickly. Denise and Andy suited up as I got the boat ready to dive and it wasn't long before Birthday girl was splashing away I'll let Denise cover her exploits with Andy....... Here are a couple of Pics in the meantime:

Conditions at the Tex Edwards (Yes this is the Gulf)

Denise primped up and ready to go:

Denise and Andy on the line Ready to go:

Take it away Denise:

 

[deeper thoughts]

Thnx for the report

 

[MRXRAY]

Thnx for the report

We haven't got to the report yet. I was just covering the conditions above and getting to the site. I'm going to let Densie cover the dive..... She's much longer winded than me.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Looks nice and flat out there!

 

[DoubleHoseDiver]

Triton smiled on ya'll today and Happy Birthday Denise Tim

 

[MRXRAY]

Well Looks like Denise is a little slow on the trigger, so I'm going to continue with the report..... (Probably still sobering up) :11:

Denise will have to cover her dives with Andy my 2 dives with Derek, although a little short were very nice. There is still a lot of Schmutz in the first 50' of water. I saw only one stinging Jelly the whole time we were out but the Moon Jellies were out full force. They are very beautiful to watch and popped in and out of the 10 foot visibility on the decent. Once you hit 50', the temp dropped 10 degrees and the visability opened up to 40'. That thermocline was a real shocker as I was recording water temps of 82 deg. at the surface and 73 below the thermal. Our anchor was resting about 20 feet East of the wreck which made it very easy to find and put us into some of the nicest areas of the wreck right off the start. We worked our way along the East side of the Wreck along the sand stopping to take a few photos of some Toadfish hiding in small tubes, and one large Octopus who turned out to be a bit camera shy, then worked our way South bouncing from the top to the bottom as we went. There were a lot of nice sized Grouper and several small Red Snapper, hiding inside the wreck but a real lack of smaller "Reef Fish" such as Spades and Damsels. We saw a few Large Queen Angels but nothing like I was hoping for. This was Dereks first open Ocean dive and I think he was a bit anxious and was breathing a bit heavy and we called the dive after 26 minutes at a max depth of 72'. We made our way back to the boat, rested up a bit, had some pineapple, rehydrated, and then hit the water again after 1:08 SI, we picked up another dive buddy on the second dive and the 3 of us shuttled around the wreck for 27 minutes (BT) while I shot video. All in all 2 nice dives for the log book. Here are a couple of Photos:

Our Toadfish:

The Octopus was completely out of the whole but disappeared while I was trying to get Dereks attention this is the shot I ended up with:

I almost forgot...... Since we had another boat bumperd up with us and they had a few people staying topside with the boats Derek and I made it in to the water while Denise and Andy were still down, but at the end of there second dive. I saw Denise and Andy swimming away from us so I took the opportunit to play like a shark and sneak up behind Denise and grab her leg and shake it a bit..........You should have seen the expression and the bubbles :11:.....Looked Like a Hot Tub! Here she is after a brief recovery:

All in all a fantastic day on the water with good friends! Thanks for the good times!

 

[denisegg]

Saturday August 9th 2008: (30 years to the day after Denise first graced the world with her presence)

You weren't suppose to reveal my true age Xray

Triton smiled on ya'll today and Happy Birthday Denise Tim

Thank you :blinking:

 

[denisegg]

I'm going to let Densie cover the dive..... She's much longer winded than me.

Hey!!!!....I've been condensing my report. SB only has so much storage space.

It didn't take long to realize the conditions were extraordinary. It was truely a blessed day!

Ah thank you!! You are toooo kind...People do seem to have that reaction to me.................

Well Looks like Denise is a little slow on the trigger (Probably still sobering up) :11:

I'll have you know we partied half the night Saturday night at Stasia's house and then I got up at 5am Sunday morning and went diving all day and after getting home late last night and washing gear, unpacking and having another small birthday celebration when I got home, I kinda needed to go to bed, at least for a little while.

There is still a lot of Schmutz in the water.

You shouldn't talk about Derek like that.........well, I guess it is ok

I took the opportunity to play like a shark and sneak up behind Denise and grab her leg and shake it a bit..........You should have seen the expression and the bubbles :11:.....Looked Like a Hot Tub!

Hey, I just thought there was another diver in distress that needed my assistance.:no. ............AND I only sucked down about half my air in the process

 

[denisegg]

Now for the report!!

 

[dereks040581]

dont make me bust out your age denise i am sure if we had an abacus we could figure it out i haven't been feeling to well since sat afternoon