Hi, from Fort Lauderdale, previously from Monterey, California

[megnin]

Hi everyone,

I can see there's a great group of people here. That's wonderful.

My wife and I just moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida from Monterey, California. Well, we actually lived in San Jose, an hour north of Monterey, but we spent our weekends in Monterey, underwater.

Here's our story... I lost my job at a telecom company in Silicon Valley (I know, "Join the club") and told my wife, "This is our chance to get out of San Jose and go somewhere the water is warmer". Don't get me wrong. I loved diving in Monterey and Carmel. The kelp forests and the life they supported made for some spectacular dives, but the water was 52 degrees F. year round. Brrrrrr. ....So, I did a "Google" search on "Best shore dive sites in North America" and got 682 links for Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

We packed our stuff on a truck and drove across the country.

We've been here in Fort Lauderdale for two months now and just loving it. The diving here is wonderful. I still miss the kelp forests, harbor seals, sea lions and otters, but I don't miss the cold water, the double layer of seven mil. wet suit or the 28 pounds of weight I had to wear to pull it down.

It is still winter here so I do have to wear a three mil. and four pounds. Life is rough.

Today we were diving at Hibiscus St. in Lauderdale by the Sea and met some great people who pointed us to this board.

So, I'd like to say "Hello" to Greg and Joan, and Mike who live on the beach at our favorite dive site. We're looking forward to diving with you guys soon! We're going to the "Jacks" tomorrow at John U. Loyd park.

Dive safe everyone.

David and Diane Megnin
Divemaster/MSD and AOW

 

[Brian Gilpin]

Hi everyone,

I can see there's a great group of people here. That's wonderful.

My wife and I just moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida from Monterey, California. Well, we actually lived in San Jose, an hour north of Monterey, but we spent our weekends in Monterey, underwater.

Here's our story... I lost my job at a telecom company in Silicon Valley (I know, "Join the club") and told my wife, "This is our chance to get out of San Jose and go somewhere the water is warmer". Don't get me wrong. I loved diving in Monterey and Carmel. The kelp forests and the life they supported made for some spectacular dives, but the water was 52 degrees F. year round. Brrrrrr. ....So, I did a "Google" search on "Best shore dive sites in North America" and got 682 links for Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

We packed our stuff on a truck and drove across the country.

We've been here in Fort Lauderdale for two months now and just loving it. The diving here is wonderful. I still miss the kelp forests, harbor seals, sea lions and otters, but I don't miss the cold water, the double layer of seven mil. wet suit or the 28 pounds of weight I had to wear to pull it down.

It is still winter here so I do have to wear a three mil. and four pounds. Life is rough.

Today we were diving at Hibiscus St. in Lauderdale by the Sea and met some great people who pointed us to this board.

So, I'd like to say "Hello" to Greg and Joan, and Mike who live on the beach at our favorite dive site. We're looking forward to diving with you guys soon! We're going to the "Jacks" tomorrow at John U. Loyd park.

Dive safe everyone.

David and Diane Megnin
Divemaster/MSD and AOW

Glad you are enjoying Florida. Just remember though you can check out you can never leave. How do you like Florida whwn you are not diving?

 

[megnin]

Glad you are enjoying Florida. Just remember though you can check out you can never leave. How do you like Florida whwn you are not diving?

We both like it a lot. I enjoy watching the weather report in the morning when it's -12 degrees F. in Minnesota where my "x" lives. Then I go swimming in the pool. ;-) I don't enjoy them suffering in the cold; I'm not that mean, but I enjoy the warm weather.

Florida is nice. I grew up in Georgia, so I know how humid it gets in the summer time. I love the diving here. It's warm, and since the coastal water is so shallow, air lasts FOREVER!

When Diane and I are not diving, we like to go to movies and take our Bearded Dragon lizards out in the sun. We both enjoy swimming and doing anything outdoors. But most of all, we are crazy about diving. We are starting to meet a lot of really great people around here.

Thanks for asking, Brian. Do you live in Florida? Where is your favorite dive spot? What sort of diving do you do?
We don't hunt or anything. I like UW photography, but can only afford to rent a camera from time to time. Once I find a job down here I'll start saving up for a digital UW camera.

 

[H2Andy]

welcome aboard!

check out the FLorida Conch Divers forum if you guys want lots of tips on the best
dives in Ft. Lauderdale

(failing that, throw at stone at the water and follow it )

 

[DandyDon]

And welcome to SB. :wavey: Good place to learn, compare, argue. :krach: Put us in your Favorites and check in often.

I enjoy both sides of the continent, although I prefer the warmer waters of Florida. Anyway, when you get the itch, you can fly to California cheap enough.

don
:sly:

 

[megnin]

Thanks for the warm welcome. Hey H2Andy, I'd like to know more about the Florida Conch Divers forum. Can you point me to it?

 

[Wildbill]

This is a great state to live in and the scuba boards makes it better. To find the forum go to the main page and scroll down the list. We also have a website under the same name.

Wildbill:cop_2:

 

[megnin]

Thanks WildBill. I like that quote in your sig. You must have been in the military.

 

[Wildbill]

Stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.......

I'm not ex-military but I work the local government. I'm a Detective with the County Sheriff's Office

Wildbill:cop_2:

 

[megnin]

Stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.......

I'm not ex-military but I work the local government. I'm a Detective with the County Sheriff's Office

Wildbill:cop_2:

Close enough.