Monterey conditions. (let's keep it going )

[Bigbella]

The calm before the storm: two dives, one in Carmel at North Monastery and the second at San Carlos Beach. A brisk 12˚C.

In excess of 10 meters of visibility could be had at each site; could clearly see other divers swimming at the surface, from depth, along with a harbor seal and an otter with an abalone . . .

Sadly, according to the wet forecast, it's not likely to last through tomorrow . . .

 

[Bigbella]

A single dive at North Monastery.

Visibility opened up near the "splash rock" to about 6 meters and was murkier close to shore, where there was a pronounced rip current and what an old friend had always referred to as "that sickening here we go feeling."

Something managed to tug at my fin -- an otter no less, a persistent little bugger, while taking my safety stop. That hadn't happened in a few years -- about the size of our cat, Charlie the Tuna . . .