WHALE HUGS AVAILABLE - Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a huge marine creature decide to seek YOU out and interact? That's the experience you can have if you join us February 6-10 on our journey to San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, where Grey Whales not only migrate each year to give birth, but also where they have developed an interest in seeking our human contact. Pictured above is a typical interaction on the left, and an idea of the "glamping" accommodations we'll have on the right. It's a fairly short trip, literally Monday-Friday (but that means you have the bookend weekends free). And while it may seem initially expensive for the length - $3,195 double-occupancy (includes double-occupancy tent, all meals, tip, hotel overnight, and chartered RT air flight Cabo to San Ignacio) - it's similar to Guadalupe trips in that it's a labor-intensive endeavor as everything has to be flown in or trucked in for the season and then removed at the end of the season without a trace left behind. But it's a unique experience that you'll remember for a lifetime. We've got 13 of the 26 spots booked for the glamping camp and still have a few openings available. (And what a great Christmas or Hanukkah present this would make.) If you're interested, give us a call at 310/652-4990 or send us an e-mail. The whales are waiting for you.
GOOD NEWS IF YOU OWN A PRESSED STEEL HP TANK - The permit has been renewed!!! A few days ago, the DOT granted renewal of SP9791 which now allows those of you who own Pressed Steel high-pressure tanks (80s and 100s, filling to 3445psi) to legally use them again and to have them filled at a dive shop. We sold a lot of those so if you purchased an HP tank from Reef Seekers, chances are this benefits you. The permit renewal is good through November 30, 2026 (when we'll probably have to go through this tap dance again). But the bottom line is that you can resume using and filling your Pressed Steel high-pressure tanks.
REEF DISCOVERED NEAR THE TITANIC - It's too deep to dive - even with an HP tank - but it's a fascinating discovery. Way back in 1996, researchers picked up a radar blip near the wreck of the
Titanic at a depth of 13,000 feet. They have finally been able to pinpoint it and while they at first thought it might be another shipwreck, it turns out that it's actually a vibrant rocky reef with lobsters, fish, sponges, and even some species of what appear to be corals. You can read more about it here:
DEEP REEF NEAR TITANIC.
TONGA VOLCANO AFTERMATH DATA - There's obviously a lot of interest in the on-going eruption of Mauna Loa in Hawaii. But you may also recall that back in January of this year, there was a huge underwater volcano that erupted near Tonga. Scientists have now been able to complete scans to computer-model how that eruption changed the seafloor. If you go to this link and scroll down through the article, it will actually show you sequential images of what the changes were. Pretty fascinating:
TONGA VOLCANO SEAFLOOR.
AND FINALLY - If you ever want to be reminded that we shrink as we get older, stand next to Jamaal Wilkes. (This was prior to the UCLA/Oregon game Sunday with my sister Sue and her friend Pierce.) Jamaal's listed as 6'6" but he says 6'7" (I asked). A full head taller than me (which is probably why I never would have made it in the NBA).
