Princess Pue and DMP's Almost Excellent Adventure

[Squalus]

Once upon a time......oops
It all began on the 17th of May, it was a late night due to the fact that I had one last pool class for my Dive Con certification. My buddy and I were on the road after checking for the hundredth time to make sure that we had everything. Well almost everything was there... Only one member of our crew was missing to make the trip through the south worth it's time, the one and only Princess Pue! After a few calls on my cell it was arranged and we would be swooping in to do a "snatch and grab" in the middle of the night. As we arrived commo was established with the FOB, the package would be on standy by and ready for pick up. No sooner than we arrived "Helga" was loaded with an awe inspiring speed, that Santa could not match during Christmas.
We were back on the road again making good time, only stopping for the much needed fuel (coffee too), potty breaks and, to switch drivers as needed. We made it to Fl by morning. During the trip, it was so boring till we hit the south that is when the fun began. While fueling up in Fl (location will remain nameless, maybe because I can't remember the small obscure town), I noticed the Jaguar parked next to us fueling up as well. There was something different about this Jag that I could not put my finger on....then I saw it, it was so obvious that if it was a snake it would have bitten me! Glancing down inspecting the tires I saw it bigger than day, "GoodYear, Wrangler" tires :11: (the old addage "you know your a redneck when..." came to mind). After LOAO for a bit, we were back on the road to Tampa. Met our friends parents and stayed the night. Across the road from their apartment was a sign that caught my eye, "Do not feed or molest the alligators" (no wonder there were no strays around). Never did see the 6 footer they said that occupied that pond next to the canal.
The next day we were on our way to our final destination, Key Largo. We went through Alligator Alley. That was a dull boring trip, not a one poked it's head up while cruising through (I wonder if there are any in there). We arrived in Key Largo, got our rooms and then off to dinner. Two restaurants there will no longer see my bright smiley face grace their premises again. The first night was a Mexican place across the street. First time I had to wait over an hour I think for chow, when it finally arrived can we say "COLD". Nobody in our party was to pleased at that one. I swear if we were on a ship one or two things would have happened (1) walk the plank or (2) a keel haul would have occured. To be cont'd....

 

[crpntr133]

A jag with Wranglers?? I think I would have had to take pics of that one even if I had to unpack Helga.

 

[pennypue]

A jag with Wranglers?? I think I would have had to take pics of that one even if I had to unpack Helga.

Ah, well. Pics do exist.......

 

[Tom Smedley]

What's so odd about a Jag with Wranglers? I don't get it.

Pue does this mean that we can take it for granted that you won the auction?

 

[pennypue]

What's so odd about a Jag with Wranglers? I don't get it.

I see you're from Alabama...........

Pue does this mean that we can take it for granted that you won the auction?

Nope, Pue's bid was rejected. I am, however, acceptable DB material.

Perhaps Pue will put herself up for bid shortly. But she can be a might bit pricey and high maintenance. Not many are up to a task :madamy: of Princess proportions........

 

[Marek K]

swooping in to do a "snatch and grab" [...] commo was established with the FOB [...] package would be on standy by [...] fueling up [...]

Sergeant, you've been in the Army way too long.

What was that retirement date again?

I see that there are a lot of variants of Goodyear Wrangler tires. Most do seem to be light truck or 4x4 types... did you have your threat combat vehicle recognition charts with you? (Your were in Florida... that Jag coulda been a threat...)

 

[Squalus]

Cont'd...
That Friday we had chosen to do our Spiegel dive on the afternoon boats. After dropping off the gear at the dock and returning to the front desk of the LDS. While ensuring that the Princess had a seat on the boat, I noticed a familiar face with a bald head and a beard standing there. I was not sure that it was Kev standing there next to his gear bag of toys and what not. We just casually looked at each other and nodded each other's way, for he was taking the morning boat out to the Spiegel.
The ride to the site was fun, spotted a sea turtle off the port side of the ocean going vessel. The Captain was cool and easy to talk to and full of information of the site and what to expect on the dive. We were given a 100' max depth on the dive brief, due to the fact that we had one diver who had just finished his AOW and it was his first ocean dive. We all decided to stick together, easier to keep an eye on the newbe.
One instructor and his wife were diving with the Princess and I. The "newbe" was buddied up with them. Bob"s wife (names have been changed to protect their innocence) informs me that every time he is in the ocean that the Barracuda are attracted by his presence. Newbe and wife hit the water first, then Princess and I follow to the decent line and wait for Bob. With Bob behind us we begin the decent, no more than 10' down does a fairly large Cuda show up and begins to circle the party :11: . I keep an eye on him and my dive buddy until we reach the hull of the Spiegel. There was a 1 or 2 knot current going fairly steady not much to worry about at the time. We cruise to the starboard side of her and begin making our way to the rear checking everything out. I missed some good shots of the local inhabitants due to the fact I was keeping an eye on my DB (no worries for her, just didn't want to leave her behind anywhere and get chewed for it later )and the newbe. A grouper was pointed out and I got a good shot of it. Lots of wildlife hanging out, then a big green Morray decided to come out of a port hole and say "hello". While he was possing for me, I get a tap on the shoulder by my DB and she frantically points down to the newbe. I get a glimpse of his fins under the starboard side going underneath her.
I grab Bob's fin as he cruises past me to get his attention. I motion to him it's either him or I who goes after the moron. I was not to pleased with the guy at this moment, Bob signals he's got him and heads down and brings him back. We signal time to head back to the ascent line, along our way back the current begins to pick up a bit. What fun that was, I would say it was more than a 4 knot current that came. The Deb and Jr head back to the line leaving Princess, Bob and I to our own devices. Got some pics of the flag just flapping in the current, really cool looked like it was flying in a really strong wind. We decide we had enough of the current and make it back to the line and head up and do a 10 minute safety stop.
Upon getting back on the boat and taking our gear off. I tell Jr what he did was just stupid because, he was bragging that he went 120'. I asked him what he would have done if he narced out or a strong current hit and nobody was there to help him. He had no reply. Seeing I know his instructor we would talk at the end of the trip. The Princess was furious and lit into him, he said, "I know what I am doing". Get a clue, 1st ocean dive, no more than 27 dives logged and, never has been deeper than 70'.

 

[pennypue]

The Princess was furious and lit into him, he said, "I know what I am doing". Get a clue, 1st ocean dive, no more than 27 dives logged and, never has been deeper than 70'.

Jr. is lucky there were witnesses or I would have beat his butt.
As it is I took it easy on him.

 

[crpntr133]

Don't you just love them when they do that. I have been to 73' but wouldn't go to 120. First of all I know better. Second I want more bottom time.

The LDS is going to the Keys just before Thanksgiving. One of the guys and I was talking and all he kept talking about was penetrating the Spiegel. Of course he didn't like it when I told him that I thought he would be doing a 100' dive. This DA isn't even trained for penetration.
Last year he did it on some other wreck in FL and did it solo. Nobody knew that he was inside until he was seen through one of the portholes. No, I don't mean that he just went inside the opening. He went in, down the hall, etc.

 

[pennypue]

Don't you just love them when they do that. I have been to 73' but wouldn't go to 120. First of all I know better. Second I want more bottom time.

The LDS is going to the Keys just before Thanksgiving. One of the guys and I was talking and all he kept talking about was penetrating the Spiegel. Of course he didn't like it when I told him that I thought he would be doing a 100' dive. This DA isn't even trained for penetration.
Last year he did it on some other wreck in FL and did it solo. Nobody knew that he was inside until he was seen through one of the portholes. No, I don't mean that he just went inside the opening. He went in, down the hall, etc.

He just might get thrown off the dive ops boat for the rest of his dives!!!
I don't think many of those captains in Key Largo are likely to tolerate unplanned, untrained solo penetrations.

Honestly, I wouldn't want him on the boat with me. Money talks and I'm guessing the LDS will book him on the trip even after his first 'incursion'.

So are YOU going on the trip?