Last dive of the year?

[huvrr]

Where was your last dive of the year 2008? Mine was today in an aquarium feeding the sturgion,eels and eelpout, here in MN. Polar bear dive tomorrow in Lake Superior to start off 2009.

[cummings66]

Bennett Springs, and the first dive of the year will be there too.

[Diver Kat]

Last dive of 2008 was in St Thomas ... Captain's Nightmare ... #292 for the log book. I'll have to wait till March for the 1st dive of 2009 ... should be on March 18th, in sunny Cozumel!

[scubAfr33k]

My last dive of 2008 was on the Oriskany this past Tuesday; unfortunately, that will also be my final dive for a number of months now while I wait for the water to warm back up (I was pretty chilly in my 5 mil suit down at 120 ft, can't lie).

[RnSdiver]

My last dive for 2008 was 11/6 at the South Breakwater in Muskegon. First dive will be at Noon 1/1/2009 about 1400 yards from there at the USS Silversides

[georoc01]

Dec 27th off of Marco Island, FL. A shrimp boat dive that the captain calls Bubbas.

[Zeagle Eagle]

Cavern diving in Akumal, Mexico.....Awesome. I am going to try and go again next week.

[fisheater]

My last dive of 2008 was marvelous. Even though it was overcast and raining, the vis was unprecedented on the Sonoma (CA) coast.

Here's the dive report I posted on our club's website, Welcome to The North Coast Divers!

What a marvelous day to be underwater at Stillwater!!

Stillwater Cove really lived up to its name today. The water lapped gently against the shore and there were only little waves on the surface. Inside the cove, that is. Outside the cove, the wind waves and swell were a bit more pronounced.

Topside weather was dark and rainy, but OH THE UNDERWATER!

The water was crystal clear (and cold at 46 degrees) and blue. Viz was 25-30 ft., with no visible suspended matter.

Peter the Wolf and I swam out near the wash rock outside the cove on the south side. We dropped in 35 ft. and were amazed at the clarity of the water. I was taking pictures and Peter was spearfishing.

We explored around a series of large rocks. They were full of black & yellow rockfish, as well as the usual inverts. I think that I got some OK photos (haven't downloaded the pics yet) and Peter got five good rockfish. A bit surgey. This was my first test of the Raider III. It was very bright and focused, more so that my UK Light Cannon that I used for comparison. While the light was still square, it wasn't anywhere near as noticeable in the water. However, the light head flooded a bit, causing the light beam to break up as it passed through the water. I took it all apart at home and will see if a bit of silicone prevents any future flooding.

Only problem of the day was the free ascent. We didn't have any suspended particles to use to keep track of depth. Who woulda thunk it!

55 minutes, 35 ft., 46 degrees.

Here are a couple of photos. I'd have more and better ones, but I forgot to bring my wide angle lens and -- wouldn't you know it -- the damned fish kept coming up TOO CLOSE for me to get them all the way into the frame. Of all the problems . . . !

"Did someone turn off the ocean?"



Peter the Wolf



Big Sea Lemon Nudi



One of the many Black & Yellow Rockfish

[chicken]

Vortex Spring in Florida, my first fresh water dive...

[huvrr]

Originally Posted by cummings66

Bennett Springs, and the first dive of the year will be there too.

I assume then, correct me if I'm wrong, that you can dive there year round. Is this worth a stop on my drive to Florida around Feb 1-3? Or possibly on the return trip end of Febuary.