Wreckmania has arrived!.

[scuba-sass]

I have to 2nd everything Charlie (and Pam) said. These were some fabulous people to spend time with, both above and below the water.

Lydia and I were "newbies", having just certified in October, but we instantly felt at home, valued and welcomed by this wonderful bunch. Thanks to all for making this a spectacular trip!

I'm sure we'll all post trip reports when we've had time to catch our breath.

Charlie & Pam - did you make it home ahead of the storms yesterday? We ended up grounded in DC when we had to refuel after circling over Virginia. In the end, we were delayed about 4 hours, but made it home safely.

Take care Buddies,

Scuba-sass

 

[Natasha]

Thank you so much for making Wreckmania a successful trip.
Many of you could have complained about several things, and didn't! I appreciate you all going with the flow and looking at the few dive challenges as a way of growing more in your diving experiences.
This group was a group of high achievers. I'm so glad I was able to spend quality time with all of youl.
A very special thanks to June for all the snacks she shleped down from Canada. Also thank you June for the lovely card you had everyone sign for Marci and I. We have kept it and will post parts of it on our web site and in our upcoming newsletter.
A special thanks to Kathy and Herman. We couldn't have done it without your help lighting the darn grill, and helping turn and keep a watch on the food.
A special thanks to Jeff who was always the first one to volunteer walking back and forth to take things out of the fridge and put them back in! It might sound little, but it was a job none the less that had to be done, and Jeff was always there and smiling.
And a final special thanks to Scott. He gave Marci and I a break on Monday. After we went to three stores to shop for the food, he cooked it all! Great job on the T bones, timed perfectly. My salmon was the best.

Heather:
What can I say? Your baby is going to have a great Mom.
Sandy:
I was more impressed with you, then you know. I will be talking to you about several private future endevors.
Pete:
You helped me sleep Sunday night. Thank you so much.
Susan and Lydia:
Meeting you two made the trip for me. I hope you will be on future trips too.
Bob:
Can't wait to dive with you in Bonaire, in just 7 more weeks!
Charlie and Pam:
A great couple. Perfect together and no trouble at all.
Walter:
Our diving God. Need I say more?
And last but not least.. my sister Marci:
I think you know.. I couldn't have done it without you. Love you forever.

MOM

 

[Dee]

Uh Mom....Want to expand on Pete's nighty night techniques?

Glad everything worked out...I know how worried you were about the details. Sounds like you have a school of satisfied customers!

 

[Natasha]

Do I have to tell all my secrets?
Oh OK Dee for your eyes only. (yeah right)
Pete cracked my back for me Sunday night ,which took all pain away and made for a restful sleep. Only us old timers can understand that.
And Dee the rags were awesome. I have to tell you your name came up so many times. We said, " I wish Dee could have been here" .. "Dee missed a trip she should have been on" .."Hopefully Dee will be on future trips" all stuff like that.
I really missed you Dee. But we all understood.

 

[livestodive]

Sass we had about a 40 min delay, but all those planes behind us were delayed quite a bit.

I don't think Pam enjoyed the turbulent landing we had, it did get quite bouncy.

I am getting wet tomorrow, and hope to provide Pam with some nice table fare

 

[livestodive]

Thank you for the Dee rags. They did provide just enough protection to keep me from tearing skin on a good bump.

 

[KC_Scubabunny]

Howdy fellow weary travelers!

Jeff and I made it home about 6pm last night but our attention was diverted by our 4 legged kids who were anxious to have us home and a large brown expanse that we used to call a lawn but now is more like a brush fire hazard. No one around here wants to say the drought word but there was no rain the whole time we were gone!

Okay on to saying nice things about those that we met! The Wreckmaniacs are darn near a mutual admiration society at this point!

Natasha - Mom was a fitting title to for what you were. You fed us, made sure we were entertained and kept us out of trouble. Just one question, will you adopt me? I come with built in grandchild! Besides then I get Marci for my aunt!

Walter - Despite the fact that I didn't get to dive, I learned a lot about diving and you renewed my faith in dive professionals after a rocky last couple of experiences. MB was wonderful also and I will be frog kicking with increased skill when I next dive.

Pete - Glad we could share frustrated IT professional stories. I will be putting my favorite Dilberts in the mail to you in the next few days. May your networks always be stable and your customers have time to make tea.

Susan & Lydia - Your humor and spirits are a lesson to us all. I enjoyed our conversations at the pool and poolside. I hope we can share other travels and trips. I am working on filling in the rest of the frame to my puzzle since we know about that one nasty corner piece!

Sandy - Your energy and enthusiasm despite the challenging diving conditions were amazing. I hope a career opportunity comes to you that give you a chance to use those same gifts. Also a partner who makes you as happy as Jeff makes me and maybe change your mind about your destiny.

June - Your snacks and contributions to the trip were greatly appreciated. I still wish I could have see underwater twister!

Mike - Glad you were Jeff's and my scavenger hunt buddy. Your speedo put us over the finish line!

Herman - Thanks for taking such good care of Jeff underwater. He was worried about diving with a new buddy and you two were good match.

Kathy - Thanks for putting up with me while Jeff and Herman were off diving. I am going to miss breakfast at the pier now that I am back to eating a granola bar in my car.

Charlie & Pam - I hope Jeff and I are still diving after we have 25 years of marriage and three kids. It was wonderful to meet you.

Bob - Bubba couldn't have a nicer grandpa to buy him a diveskin when he is only 6 months old! Even if you are a Kevin Harvick fan! It was good to talk racing with you and machine shops with you.

Scott - The best salmon I have ever had on the BBQ and the most colorful speedos I have ever seen. What ever will you do to impress us for Wreckmania II

Dave "Big O" - I wish I could have joined you, Scott and Fish for a drink. It was the first time since I have been pregnant that I wanted to go to a bar and slam a few back. Do you have this effect on women often?

I hope everyone can come back next year to Wreckmania II and meet Kristine or Ethan. I will let you all know as soon as we do which it will be!

Heather

 

[Dee]

Originally posted by Natasha
Do I have to tell all my secrets?
Oh OK Dee for your eyes only. (yeah right)
Pete cracked my back for me Sunday night ,which took all pain away and made for a restful sleep. Only us old timers can understand that.
And Dee the rags were awesome. I have to tell you your name came up so many times. We said, " I wish Dee could have been here" .. "Dee missed a trip she should have been on" .."Hopefully Dee will be on future trips" all stuff like that.
I really missed you Dee. But we all understood.

Those youngsters just don't understand when we say a good back pop and foot rubs can be as good as sex! I'll keep the secret....we wouldn't want to ruin Pete's Romeo reputation. ut:

Gee...that's nice to hear. I sure wish I could have been there to meet everyone. Guess you'll just have to do this again next summer....hehehe.

 

[Dee]

Originally posted by livestodive
Thank you for the Dee rags. They did provide just enough protection to keep me from tearing skin on a good bump.

How did you do that? At least the Dee-Rags were good for something!

 

[sunshinefishy]

Well, I am a zombie at work today having gotten home at 1 am last night. Long story short - my 3pm American flight was cancelled and I ended up on a 6pm Delta flight that did not take off until 9pm. Good news was that I was able to change my arrival airport to one 10 minutes from my house so mom picked me up by the time my luggage was on the carousel.

I will try to upload some of the digital pics as soon as I can get the darn camera plugged in and working again. I am really looking forward to developing my roll of film and posting the picture of Jeff in the pool demonstrating what it's like to hang on to the ascent/descent line for dear life.

I just want to say that I had a wonderful time meeting everyone and diving with most of you. I have never been with a group of such experienced divers - I've learned tons from everybody. We definately had a great group of Wreckmaniacs.

A special thank you to Natasha and Marci for their detailed planning and who held down the fort while we were away. Also to Walter, MB, and Pete for their disemmination of excellent diving advice.

Walter - you were a wonderful and patient instructor. Thanks for putting up with all my Nitrox questions and saving me from getting all tangled up in Pete's reel. Please also thank MB for me as well.

June - roomie and dive buddy extraordinaire who probably watches the food channel as much as I do, eh? I thought I was the only person who falls asleep to Iron Chef. Thanks for being a great friend and dive buddy (and keeping me in line and on time)!

Pete - Your PC made a great third roommate. Always kept to itself and never made a peep. Not even when we wanted it to. Thanks for keeping us in stiches with your stories.

Charlie & Pam - It was such a pleasure hanging with the two of you. I'm still laughing at how I followed you around thinking you were someone else. Taught me a lesson that I need to learn how to recognize my dive buddies more.

Sass & Lydia - I would love to dive you with you two one day in the Northeast if I can get the nerve to enter these cold waters of ours. Thanks for sharing Tahiti!

Herman & Kathy - I can't wait to experience the wonder that is Bonaire and swap stories with you. And thanks for the ride to the airport!

Heather & Jeff - I am putting down a $20 bet that your first child will be a boy named Ethan. Telebrain-waves told me so (also scored me 1/2 point on the quiz). Don't worry Heather, we will slam back a few nice cold yummy beers when you are off Doctor's orders. Have you done a bunny shot? Those are delish too! Jeff, I think I'd still be hanging/flailing on that line if you hadn't pulled me in. Thanks man.

Steve - we had some great conversations. hope to be able to dive with you one day.

Bob - So you will be in Bonaire too? Looking forward to meeting up and diving again. Would love to see a photo of Bubba in his new dive skin.

Mike - Thanks for your help with my Nitrox class. Hope to be able to visit Texas one day and dive with da Swampters.

Scott - Like everyone said, you grilled a mean barbie. How you managed to get all our requests right is truly amazing to someone like me who's managed to burn everything including water.

Big O - I'm going to have to practice my pyro skills so you won't laugh at me anymore.

Dee - I wish you and Beast coud've made it. Would have loved to meet you guys. But you were there in spirit! Mike did have the resort play the CD you sent - thank you.

Hopefully, I will be able to make Wreckmania II. I understand from Pete that that will involve explosives and creation of wrecks? :boom: