Author: Bill

Up early this morning even though I wasn’t really feeling it. Got my camera all put together and out in the truck and came in to make breakfast. Fed my Bride and made me breakfast even though I was really up for that either, but I was expecting a couple of good dives would snap me back around. Pulled into the marina. The boat was there, but the truck that normally has all the tanks and gear wasn’t there yet, which is really odd because I wasn’t there much earlier than usual. I gave it a couple of minutes then started pinging people. Guess what… the people scheduled on the boat cancelled sometime during the night and I didn’t get that memo. Dammit Emmit~! Not only am I not gonna get to dive, but drove all that way for nothing….. plus dealing with some of the maniacs on our two-bit roads. DAMMIT Emmit~!! Whadda ya gonna do ?? I headed back to the house. Gave my gear a good rinsing as I’m probably not going to be using it for the next 5 days and got it hung up to dry. Dammit Emmit~! Tropical Depression # 7 is making it’s way straight at us and the next 2 or 3 days looks to have some pretty gnarly weather, especially since the Depression is supposed to be building in strength as it heads our way. Tis the season. (Hurricane season that is)

We were in need of some groceries and since my Queen was working – I figured I’d save her the hassle. Picked up the necessities and headed back to the house after swinging by the Post Office. (I kinda wish I would have known about Tropical Depression # 7 while I was at the store…. I would have probably stocked up a little better. What the heck….. I’m not diving tomorrow either – so I guess I can go again if I need to. After getting groceries put away, I figured it is probably gonna be another 4 -5 days before it is dry enough to mow and the yard was on the verge of shaggy – so I got into my comfies and headed out side. Dang it got hot quick……. but I mowed. I then loaded up the truck and ran into town and punched out the ATV yard……. got the mowing done and 99.75% of the weed eating done when I ran out of weed eater string. Due to the fact I forgot to bring extra line [rookie mistake] and the fact that it was raining like hell by then….. I opted to call it done. It had mostly quit raining by the time I got back to the house – so I knocked out the weed eating here… the light rain actually felt pretty good while I finished up. Everything cleaned up and put away – I came in and cleaned the kitchen floor then vacuumed the house. Not sure where the energy came from, but I feel much better knowing it’s done. Showered and waiting on my Queen, who brought Subway’s home. Pretty productive day for me……. I would have rather went diving.  😉  Will post older pictures until I get back to diving~~

Good Night Y’all : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Thankx for stopping in~!

Up early to ready for my day……. belly continues to plague me, but feel better I’m having states side doctors take a peek at it when we come back. I did make me a breakfast after I fed my Bride. She was up early to get some work done on her car. Had my short commute of about 4 minutes, so I got to hang out a bit before leaving our humble little abode. Small crowd on the boat today – 5 people. Same 3 guys from the previous couple of days and a new couple. Father and Daughter I believe. The 3 guys are all a fun bunch and good solid divers. Dad and Daughter were fairly new and required a little tending to. First dive site was my very favorite dive site (Armageddon), but a tiny current, horrible visibility and tending to new divers really took a lot away from it. Mostly the viz— nasty, nasty although I did manage a couple of savable shots. We did some hunting and exploring and finally found a dive site (for the second dive) that had much better viz and I made up on pictures. Back out to the North shore tomorrow for what will probably be my last two dives of this week. Nothing scheduled [in the water] for Thursday, so I’ll probably mow, since I didn’t get it done this weekend. Friday is a “staff retreat” day. That should be interesting. Pictures are up and I am planning on attending our local dive club meeting (that I am now [[happily]] no longer a board member of). I have convinced my Queen to come with me for a ‘dinner out’ while we get educated on Lion fish. I have decided I’m going to donate one of my glass plates (of a Lion fish) to the club as a door prize and if by chance, anybody that sees it, really likes it….. I will just happen to have some out in my truck for sale……  😉  However- I digress….. I’m putting this up early because we won’t be here later (at the meeting). So here ya go…….

Good Night Y’all # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Thankx for stopping in~!

Up and mostly “at em” this morning. Everything bump charged and put together early. Made me a bite of breakfast and was most of the way through it when my Bride came stumbling out. Gathered up the gar-bagÉ and headed out the door for some North shore diving. Really small boat, but had a birthday on board (one of our Dive Masters doing some ‘day off’ diving) and one of the guys on the boat was making his 500th dive. All good stuff~! First dive started off with a big Green Moray Eel out and about (heads up Vera)…… viz was decent and all divers were solid so it made for a mighty enjoyable dive. Second dive was the 500th dive for one our guests and that’s always a big deal. That dive also yielded a nice big ole Hawksbill Turtle plus a couple of very friendly sharks…….. so two really good dives~! Back to the house after stopping by the local dump to deposit aforementioned bag of gar-bagÉ. Pictures all edited and posted.

Got on a teleconference call with a belly specialists back in Indiana and am now set up for an appointment with the folks to try and figure out what the hell is up with my belly. Ironically funny — the nurse that I was speaking with to set up the appointment…. is from… St. Croix. What are the odds ? Appointment is made so while I am not really looking forward to this one….. but that’ll be the one thing out of the way that I have not had done yet…….. (scope down the throat). Boat is back out West tomorrow (our end of the island) so short commute. Apparently the guys on the boat wanted to dive the wrecks…… so what the customer wants……………. Until then…………

Good Night Y’all * * * * * * * * * * * * Thankx for stopping in~!

Got to (and actually did) sleep in a bit this morning…… my bride was up before me both mornings which is actually quite rare, even though she goes to bed an hour or two before me. I don’t think I’m overly happy with our mattress, but not sure if it is it or just old bones starting to ache a little more….. will probably never know. A nice casual start to the day today. Some way or another breakfast was skipped [for me] — but I eventually made me a mystery meat sammich. Small pile of lunch meat left in the fridge and I was confident it would go bad before Angie needed it to make her a lunch sammich for her work day on Wednesday. It was on the verge of slimy and didn’t taste like anything to me, but Angie said it was fine, so I made me a sammich out of it, just so I had a bit of something in my belly before I lit out to chase the little folks around the ocean. The “JR” dive was a lot smaller boat than usual, but the ones we had were enthusiastic [mostly]…. one little guy [in my mind] was acting like he wanted to be anywhere other than there….. but the Captain said he knew him and that’s “just the way he is”. I felt sorry for him, but he seemed like he enjoyed himself [mostly] once he was in the water. Saw one nice turtle on the dive…… not a lot else noteworthy. The usual gorgeous corals, but still – all in all, a nice dive. Even though I need to have a ‘word‘ with the boss about scheduling these things on the first day of regular season football. I see my Colts didn’t win, but they didn’t loose. I didn’t think they did ties during regular season ??

Back here – pictures edited and up (and missed the Colts game). I need to conjure up something to eat and we’re out of slimy lunch meat, so it may be a Vienna Sausage and Ritz cracker night. Was looking forward to maybe an early night, but was reminded I need to be at the airport at 21:00 hours (that’s 9:00pm for all you civilians out there) to pick up our returning neighbors. They have been in the Land of Plenty for the past week. Dammit….. we’re gonna have to go back to turning our TV back down  ;-). Got 3 days of diving lined up for next week, then a day off and then a ‘Staff Day’. Can’t hardly wait to see what that’s about. Still lots of spotty rain showers as Tropical Storms and ‘systems‘ swirl around us. I don’t mind, it helps keep the temps down just a smidge. Makes it tough keeping the grass mowed though. Always something………

Happy Birthday to Son-in-Law Grant — hope you have many, many more~!

Good Night Y’all – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Thankx for stopping in~!

Up bright and early this morning, ready for a very busy day of diving and taking pictures. Belly was acting up and for reasons that will probably never be clear — I couldn’t hardly stand to touch my nose. It for the world feels like I have been punched in the nose (yes, I know what that feels like). Angie swears up and down she didn’t ‘clock’ me in my sleep, but I have my suspicions…….  😉  Got my gear all put together and loaded in the truck and off I went. Our first load of divers was a pretty eclectic group… I knew some of them and some were new to me….. some easier to get along with than others and I’ll leave it at that. Between dives, we went back to the dock and picked up a family of four, doing their DSD (Discover Scuba Dive) and took them out. The second dive, I hung with them and got pictures of them….. that’s always fun, to see people diving for the first time. I was pulled into a little bit of Dive Master duty on this – but nothing really bad. Watching folks and chasing folks to get them back where they needed to be. It was a Dad, Mom and 2 sons. Fun group. I ‘snuck’ off briefly for a Green Moray Eel shot (Heads up Vera). There was an afternoon boat but I opted to skip it. Long irrelevant story…….

Pictures are edited and put up now and here I am. Just finished up a wonderfully delicious meal of spaghetti and I’m ready for some couch time. I have the family photo shoot tomorrow afternoon and a “Jr” dive boat on Sunday afternoon. Scheduling a boat on the opening of regular season football. I’m gonna have to have a chat with owner and see what the hell is up with that  😉 For now — I’m done, enjoy the pictures.

Good Night Y’all – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Thankx for stopping in~!

Up early this morning to get my Queen fed and off to work. I decided not to eat as I knew I would probably be waiting a pretty good while on my truck and that I could go and get me some breakfast to kill some time. I got the truck to the garage and told them I was gonna have to wait for it and they graciously said they would get to it as quick as they could. I thought about that breakfast thing, but the closest acceptable place (for me) was about a mile and a half and I just wasn’t up for that kind of a hike. I don’t think getting there [walking] would have been that big of a challenge, but coming back with a full belly would have been a real pain in the touchas (or belly as it were). Especially since it is in the mid 80°’s even that early in the morning – and – just a skosh sticky…… so I opted to just wait. Amazingly – they took my truck in fairly quick and an hour or so later was done with it. They had a list of things that need fixed on it….. I just got the estimate on it a bit a go…. $2700. GULP….. Thankfully, nothing on the list is urgent….. although one of the items [according to them] needing replaced is the engine mounts….. well dammit….. that can’t be good…… guess I’m gonna have to wedge my big ole belly under there and see just how bad they are. There is a handful of other things, but not sure how quick I want to get into that…… $2700 would buy a lot of food and Budweiser~~ Crap~!

Back on the boat in the morning and according to the latest manifest, it is going to be a very full boat. I know a handful of the people, but the majority are all new folks, so there will be lots of picture taking. LOTS. Which means lots of editing as well. There is an afternoon boat, but I have already decided I’m not gonna go on it. As of right now, it is only two people and they are on the morning as well, so I’m not missing obligations or money making opportunities. I have a family photo shoot Saturday afternoon (on land) and I’m looking forward to that. That may take me late editing and getting them put up, so not 100% sure there will be anything on here tomorrow night or not. Tonight’s pictures are the second half from yesterday, and will have lots of the shark shots. Keep in mind when you look at some of these…. I am shooting with a 120° Wide Angle lens….. in other words, some of those sharks are so close, I could not fit them within the frame…. even with that lens~! Nice & close~!  😉

Good Night Y’all / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Thankx for stopping in~!

My morning was off to a beat up start, but I got my gear put together and loaded in the truck, then came in and made me and my Queen some breakfast. Last thing I wanted to do was eat – but had a presentable breakfast any way. Even though it rained off and on most of the day – we had two really nice dives. The water was almost like a lake again and the ‘viz‘ was unbeatable~! Had some really nice shark action on one of the dives…… I managed to get them in “my” close. When you can’t get the shark completely in the frame when you are using a 120° wide angle lens….. you know they are good and close~! I like it~! Another small boat today with just one other couple joining the couple from yesterday. Just a really great day of diving. Sadly today was the last boat diving day of the couple from the past several days diving with us. The good part was though, they hung out and helped me drink icy cold Budweiser and we got to chat for a bit before we all had to run off. Probably not “right” to say I wish all of our guests were like them but I do….. just good folks. Good divers, requires very little attention and just fun to be around (and Shanon and Andy- if you’re reading this, I mean it honestly) Y’all hurry back and see us soon~!

Dodging small down pours all the way to the house- everything unloaded and rinsed….. finally got pictures put up while answering a blue dozen texts and messages from a half a dozen people. Just got everything edited and put up, so I’m runnin’ a little late tonight. No diving tomorrow. I have to get some work done on the truck, then back in the water on Friday…… maybe 4 dives~!

Good Night Y’all > > > > > > > > > > > > Thankx for stopping in~!

IMG_1610 <—- Video of gorgeous blue water (looking down almost 40′

Decent nights sleep [mostly] – average morning. Got everything loaded and out the door. I opted to skip breakfast even though I know I shouldn’t. I left 10 minutes earlier in anticipation of madness on the road and wasn’t 6 minutes into my drive when said madness ensued. It continued all the way to the marina. Got rained on most of the way as we get the tail end of the remnants of TS Earl. Some of it was some fairly impressive downpours. It is also giving us some more gorgeous than usual sunsets~! Wow~!

More cancellations dropped our boat down to just 2 people today, but they are full paying customers and they are returning customers, so yes- the boat went out. Near lake conditions as we went out, just absolutely beautiful. The water was warm and inviting as I went overboard on the first dive. We had a little bit of a current which just sucks, but sometimes you have to deal with it. Lots of fun critters including some fun shark action and a cluster of Lobsters. It is a little bit unusual to see a Lobster, more unusual to see them out and about (like yesterday)….. today we came upon a spot that had 10 Lobsters…. all in one place~! 10~! Very cool. Second dive had even more current but still manageable and at the end of the dive, we saw a Manta Ray~! I don’t know if you remember from a year or so ago, but I spotted one then and it was the first [and only] one since I’ve been here. Today we saw another one~! A little bit smaller but equally majestic. Made everybody’s day~! Came home and got pictures edited and [I think] posted. I don’t know if it’s FB or our mickey mouse internet, but it was maddening to deal with trying to get them up. I’m amazed actually, that I am able to type this. Had some other dealings that kinda took the luster off of the day for a bit, but it’s all resolved and life goes on. You gotta make the most of what you can.

Diving tomorrow then taking Thursday off. Taking the truck into the shop, engine light came on this morning and I need to find out what that is all about. Again, making the best out of it – I just found out there is no boat Thursday, so I won’t be missing any diving~! For now— some pictures for you and some couch time for us~!

Good Night Y’all * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Thankx for stopping in~!

Up way ahead of my alarm this morning in anticipation of getting back in the water after 9 days~!! I was almost nervous this morning making sure all batteries were fresh bump charged and making sure I had my camera put back together properly. Being Labor Day morning and after what must have been a hearty night of partying, the island was amazingly calm and quiet this early a.m.  I made my drive to the marina in 19 minutes….. under normal traffic conditions, it takes me 25-35 minutes….. sometimes even longer… and… AND – I did not “have to” yell at one single person. Heaven~! I could get all kinds of used to that~! Got on the boat, rigged all my gear and waited for our guests. As it turned out – 5 of them dropped out so we only had 3 guests on board for today. I hate it for the shop but love having small groups like that. What made it even more fun – was 2 of them were a couple I remember from a year ago, back for another week of diving. When the young lady saw me – she started hollering and waved her arms and  hurried over to give me a great big squeeze hug and said how happy she was that I was on the boat. Makes a feller feel just down right special~! We caught up and were soon under water and smack-my-mouth it felt wonderful. I really should have made me a dive or two during that dry spell…… but honestly, just to friggin’ lazy. First dive was awesome….. 3 sharks, 2 Barracudas, 2 turtles, a sting ray and a Lion fish. Most of them weren’t very friendly, but I still managed a couple of decent shots to share with you. Second dive didn’t have as many critters, but still an enjoyable dive. The couple are back on the boat tomorrow so another fun day of diving lined up.

Back here at the house—- I had to remember my routine, but it came back easily. I have been trying to cut down on the amount of pictures I take, primarily so I don’t have to edit so much. I have been taking around 300 pictures between two dives, today I took 150….. so I’m getting there. We are still have wild and wacky weather, compliments of Tropical Storm Earl who swirled off to our North. I think we are about to be rid of ‘him’ and his weather and the forecast looks clear [for us] for the next several days. As much as I like storms and that kind of weather….. I always get a little leery this time of year as hurricane seasons settles into full swing for us now. I thinks it’s mostly because I don’t understand that all as well as I did how storm season back in Indiana worked…… but I’ll figure it out~! More diving tomorrow.

Good Night Y’all ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Thankx for stopping in~!

Slept in ever so slightly this morning before getting ready for my day. AAngie had mentioned doing brunch at Blues this morning which almost always sounds like a good idea. Small hiccup— even with all my time off I had not mowed the yard yet. That task is usually reserved for Sundays – simply because I know I can go in and get the ATV yard done while I’m still filthy and sweaty (they’re closed on Sundays). So after a quick cup of coffee with my bride, I headed out to get the yard done. I got the mower out and filled with gas and started it, just to find out the self propel function was not working. Dammit Emmit. It’s happened a couple of times and it’s usually just a couple of minute fix with a screw driver to pop the belt back on. For whatever reason, the belt appeared to be on and I couldn’t figure out what the issue was. Dammit Emmit~! This is a mostly new mower. I came in already dripping with sweat, pointed the fan at me, got a bottle of water and googled the issue. The issue was – I’m an idiot. I was looking at the wrong pulley. DAMMIT Emmit~! So I went out – popped the belt back on the OTHER pulley and away I went. A couple of hours later, I had finished our yard and the ATV yard. I sat and cooled off a little bit before jumping in the shower. Kinda hard to cool off in our shower because the water is almost the same temperature as the air this time of year and is only cool, let alone cold. Shower done, back in front of the fan and sufficiently cooled off, I put on my traveling shorts and a shirt and we were off. We had a presentable little down pour as were getting ready, so glad I got the grass mowed. A quick trip to mid island and we were pulling into Blues. It’s always like going ‘home’ when I walk in that place. Smiling faces, friendly people, food cooking, good music and cold beer. What else do you need ? Always good to see Jim & Deb. Jim was working the bar so I don’t get to chat with him much any more. I miss that. I was anxious to get me another breakfast sammich. The last one I had was amazing. I noticed they offered a “Big Boy” breakfast sammich. Now Blues is noted for their “Big Boy” burgers….. a ½ lb burger with pretty much any fixin’ on it you can think of. I had worked up a pretty decent appetite by that point and that icy cold Budweiser was just “itchin’ ” to have a burger with it… so I ordered the Big Boy Breakfast sammich…… OMG. A site to behold and delicious beyond words….. but let me tell you…… that is one whopper of a sammich….. ½ lb beef patty, cheese, 2 eggs [over medium] 2 full sausage patties, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and a little mayonnaise~! Boy Howdy- now that’s a sammich. A very big sammich. Very big. Much to my (and several other peoples) amazement….. I polished it off….. along with the handful fruit that comes with. Plus I had a beer or two. Angie finished her Quiche. She finished her Mimosa. I switched to Vodka & Cranberry and Angie got her a VO & coke and we sat and chatted with Jim for a while. Another drink or two and we headed back for movies….. Water is evil on our end of the island from reverse winds from Tropical Storm Earl (who is passing well to our North)…..wow— way over my limited. More tomorrow. I’m diving tomorrow~!!!!!!!!!

Good Night Y’all : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Thankx for stopping in~!

IMG_1446 <— Rough water video from the beach

IMG_1447 <—- Boat bouncing next to pier video

IMG_1448 <— Very nice big boat cutting through rough water video