Swimming with Ms. Big by Jody Wilkinson
On the trip to Anthony's Key this year, Carol and I had a once in a life time experiance. To s
wim with a whale shark was magical! On Tuesday we headed out for our first dive. The captain noticed a large fin off the coast line about a half mile. The word was suit up and get ready! We had been slow to respond to the Divemaster until that call to be ready. Like Navy seals all seven divers were at the ready with masks, fins and snorkels. We arrived at the spot and their she was, a 30ft. pregant female. She went down as we got their, but poped up just 40ft from the boat on the port side. Into the water we went! I have never swam that hard before, looking around every
one else was right their with me. For 5 minutes we played and moved with her. Other boats from miles around started apearing on the site, and as quick as she show up, she was gone. Back at the dock Anthonys was buzzing with excitement, we were the only ones that saw her and Carol Schroeder's camera work was the only evadence that the whole thing happened.
Seattle Aquarium Octopus Hunt by MissVal
Early Saturday morning Steve, Val, and Bre left Vancouver with Scuby in tow. Jody, Carol, and Paul were soon close behind. We launched at Point Defia
nce and made the hour run up to Blakely Rock. The sky was clear and the water was nice and flat. None of us had dove Blakely Rock before so we didn't really know what to expect. On the south side of the rock there was a buoy. When we pulled up to it in big black letters it said "Dive Site" so we figured that was a good place to start. We went in two shifts with Carol and Jody first, Steve Paul and I went next. The float line drops you in about 80 feet on a rocky reef. There were nudibrancs the size of plates and a fair amount of fish too. Just to the right of the line was a ling cod sitting on a big bunch of eggs. I would say it is definitely worth a return trip. Next stop, Sunrise Beach. We had a little trouble finding it though. The coordinates given in Northwest Boat Dives was about one mile north and a little inland too. Paul and I were the only ones to make this dive, and as always Sunrise was a good dive. We all had a great day but it was time to return to the boat ramp. Paul, Jody, and Carol stayed to dive on Bandito the next day. Happy anniversary Carol and Jody
Diver Dog Chomp @ the Shellfish Lab by Chompers
It
was a dark morning, about 4:00am. You know, it's dark at that time, anytime of the year. Jody and I made our way up north to the hood canal. The highlight of the trip was when Jody stopped at Biscuts and Gravy, this isn't the real name of the stop, but everybody knows were I'm talking about. Looking at Jody maybe we should find a different place to stop for gas! We made it up to the Shellfish lab about 8:30, uncle Eddy met us their. Jody made "BoB" ready for launch, while I checked out all the wonderful smells. Uncle Eddy pushed us off and away we went. The wind was kicking up from the south at about 15 knots, I never could understand what a knot was. The waves were making the way to Seamount difficult. Jody made it only to Pulali Point before he had to turn back. I myself could have gone all the way, but without th unbs, I couldn't do much. Back at the ramp Steve and Valarie had showed up with ScubyToo. After Scuby hit the water Uncle Eddy, Kenny, Jody and I set out to mark the underwater course. Originally Uncle Frank was going to set it up, this would have been much better. Eddy and Jody decided to just toss the buoys in from the surface and guesstimate the compass headings, this made for less than accuate navagation. Jody was being lazy and didn't gear up. Uncle Eddy and Uncle Paul went in first and then Kenny. Steve and Valarie dove the course next. 
Jody was good boat support when divers got off course, and they did get off course. After a hard day at the dive site I really did need a little sack time! I found this very nice bag to catch a few zzzzz! I don't think Uncle Eddy minded. As things started to wind down, we pulled BoB out of the water. Uncle Eddy drove the truck and Jody drove on to the trailer. Uncle Eddy pulled up to park and got out of the truck. Jody for some reason came up to the drivers side and closed the door. I was so excited that I jumped up to see what was going on. Jody came up to the door and started to get real excited just like me. He was jumping up and down and saying words that a puppy my age can't repeat. A couple of minutes later a bunch of the others gathered around the truck. They were waving and showing treats that I couldn't get to because the windows were up. I really couldn't make out what they were saying anyway because the motor was running, and drowned out their voices. I thought that was mean sprited of them not to open up the door and give me my treat. This went on for about an hour until I got tired and took a nap. Some guy that I didn't know was messing with the window and door, this was getting old quick. Jody finnally got back in and we were off. I took another nap on the way home until we got to Burger King. I love Cheese Burgers, the trip was another success.
The Boat formally known as "Bob"
It all started out when I said I would get a red Zodiac. Well color is not everything! I didn't do a very good job determining the right boat for my diving pleasure. Zodiac makes different types of hauls, utillity and racing. At first look it doesn't seem like much differance. I found out the hard way. Carol and Frank Falbee and I made th Zodiac's maiden cruise a couple of years age @ Sund Rock. We loaded it up with our dive gear and off we went doing 20+ knots approximately 22 mph. My thoughts at that time was hay this aint bad. Well after getting geared up we back rolled into the water at the fishing boat sunk 200 yards off Sund Rock to the North. This wreck is about 45ft long and can be dived in about 5 minutes tops for a non wreck dive enthuious. Up we pop and get ready to jump aboard. Hooking on our BC's Carol get aboard and then Frank. This is were it get funny (at the time it was not). I try to get my over developed behind up that 21" tube of Bob and I can't do it. After Fank and Carol stop laffing, they drag me aboard. Since then I have tried many differant things to easy my way back into Bob. Ed Moore was at the house helping me get wiring done for the basement and I gave him a offer he couldn't refuse. Carol loved Bob and I will hear about that for awhile.nnnn
