Sunday, December 21, 2008

Florida Trip 12-14 Dec 08

I know I haven't written in awhile. Life just seems to get in the way of sitting down and writing lately. But, right now the 2 1/2 year old and the 8 1/2 month pregnant wife are both taking a nap, so I thought I'd sit down and do a quick blog.
3 of my dive buddies and I went to Florida last weekend on our yearly manatee visit. Dive Buddy Dee and I started this 3 years ago and we've been going ever since. Originally, I had 18 people say they would go on the trip, but as usual, when it came time to put down money, everyone except 4 of us backed out. So, Dive Buddy Dee, M2, F+10 and I headed down to Florida in Dee's RV early Friday morning.

Our first stop was Blue Grotto in Williston, FL. We signed in, got our fills, geared up and went diving. We went to Peace Rock, and then down into the cavern exploring all there was too see around in the "horseshoe." When then worked our way back up and into the Fresh Air Bell where we took a couple pictures. Then we worked our way slowly to the surface. After we got our, we refilled our tanks and just BS'ed during out surface interval. I took off the top of wetsuit different than I normally do. Normally, I just peel it off inside out. But, since I thought I'd be putting it back in soon, I worked it off my arms instead of sliding it off inside out. (This will be brought up again a little later) After about an hour being up top, and none of us were warming up, we decided to cancel the second dive. So, we loaded up all the gear and headed to our second stop of the trip, Crystal River, FL.

We got to Crystal River and F+10 went and checked into his hotel. M2, Dee and I were staying in the RV to save some money. After he was checked in, F+10 met us at the restaurant and we all sat down for some beer and a good meal. After we ordered and were having out first beer, I reached to my right wrist to play with my KIA bracelet I wear in memory of Cartney. It was GONE!!! I reached all up my sleeve to see if had moved, but my arm was bear. When I realized I had lost it, it felt like someone had kicked me in the chest. I never take that bracelet off for anything and now it was gone. I thought long and hard about it and then I remembered, I slid my wetsuit off instead of turning inside out and that must have been where it had come off. I knew I had a spare at home and I would call Blue Grotto on Monday, so there was no sense of worrying about it now. But, I was VERY bummed by not having it.

The next morning, we went to breakfast and stopped by the two dive shops in Crystal River we were going to be with the next two days. Bird's Underwater and American Pro Diving. We talked to the people int he shop and did some souvenir shopping. We then got our gear ready and headed to AmPro again to get ready for our Drift Dive down Rainbow River. It was an awesome dive!! It always is.. 60-80 foot viz, max depth of about 20-21 feet and a 1 knot current. Just a relaxing dive down the river. We got cleaned up and then headed to "Cracker's" for our dinner. Another awesome place to eat in Crystal River. And, as always, we left there too full!!

Sunday morning, we met at 0600 and headed to Bird's for our manatee snorkel. We got there, got signed in and left the docks right at 0700. They took us to a place called "Three Sisters." Last year during our trip, I swam for 10 minutes before I even saw my first manatee. This year, I stepped off the ladder of the boat and couldn't even move because 5 manatees were right there in front of me!! It was amazing!! To make a long story short, there were more manatees than I have ever seen and the majority of them were playful. In the hour and a half I was in the water, I don't think I went any more than about 30-45 seconds without a manatee on my hand or in my face. It was the BEST manatees visit we have ever had!!! After our hour and half in the water, we got back in the boat and were back at the dock at 0900. We waited around for the DVD's they made of our swim and then headed to lunch. After lunch, we headed back home to GA. We were in my driveway by 1645. It was a GREAT trip!!

On Monday, I called Blue Grotto to tell them what I had lost and to see if anyone had turned it in. The guy told me he hadn't seen anything like that, but he would take down my name and number and call me if anyone did turn it in. He also asked where we parked on Friday. I told him and we hung up. About 10 minutes later, my phone rang and it was Blue Grotto. He had gone out to where we were parked and he found my bracelet right where I told him it might be!!! He said if I would give him my address he would mail it to me. On Thursday of that week, it showed up in my mail!!! How cool is that???

The pic is me holding Manny in the fresh air bell at Blue Grotto. The video is one I shot while swimming with the manatees.

I also want to wish each and every one of you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!
**D**

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