Growing up, had every single type of fresh water fish, including an Arowana, and my favorite, the Discus. Then some salt water, like a Lion Fish (req. a goldfish daily), raccoon butterflyfish, and probably a Rainbow Wrasse. Everyday during my lunch hour as a Freshman, I would walk a block to the fish local store. 2nd Pet Shop owner sold me my first salt water fish without giving the tank time to acclimate. Very hard to ensure proper, clean, aerated, PH balanced tanks in the 90's. Now only have a SereneScreen 3D animated tank across three monitors.

Learning to Dive Pacifica/Monterey
One issue was needing a prescription lense in my dive mask. Class was fine, until they initially do the first pool test, where they disorient you, and pull off your mask and respirator, while sitting at the bottom of the pool. You must then reach back and get your air, then put on the mask, and clear the water out of the mask. Chlorine pool water or salt water, either way, was not easy on my eyes. Being Near-sighter, as 20 years of age I started wearing glasses. Why go through life with everything beyond your arms length being blurry. Had my vision been 20/20 with less sensitive eyes, well who knows. Maybe I would be working in the water.

Last test was going about 50 FT away from the beach at Monterey while pushing down kelp. I passed this with flying colors. The kelp beds were so thick, if you panic, easy to get tangled up. Dove 10-15FT and played with Banana Slipper.

Next we went next to an outcrop of rocks, perhaps the breakers and had to dive straight down about 50Ft with a buddy and Instructor. Came up with a nose bleed and the instructor made me stay topside, while he took down buddy. For some reason lost a had a ripped glove and learned just how cold the water is there. They say "if you could dive Monterey, you could dive anywhere in the world!".

Cabo San Lucas Trip
Taken in 1998. Had worked hard for a decade without a single vacation trip. This also includes NO weekend get-aways. So I decided to go all out and learn how to dive, and go to the tip of Baja California, where it meets the Pacific Ocean...alone. Obtained a vacation package for two weeks at the oldest Hotel in town there. The A/C was terrible. Loud and near worthless. So hot, I just laid there on top of the bed awake.

Now would I go there again, probably not. Attending a dive school in Pacifica, I was basically flunked during my test dive in Monterey off the beach. I have never been the Adventurous type, more of a homebody, What I always had was a love of water, and all it encompassed. For some reason, I only dove twice in my life so far. Would I dive tommorrow, sure! If I could afford it.

Flight south Courtesy of the Roy Christopherson Collection

 

Saturday (1998) took a taxi to Cileno Beach for snorkeling. Saw variety of 30 fish, and a 2 1/2 foot fish that was purple with yellow stripe head to tail fin. Not much coral except a large celery head that was about 5ft round. Got major sunburn on back of my uncovered legs.

Sunday went diving at Pelican Rock. Visability was 20Ft with temps varying from 65 - 89F, dove 45FT for 24mins. Buddy was not trust worthy and wanted to leave the boat area. Saw Moray Eel, octopus, and schools of fish. Then went shopping for all my nephews and nieces.

Tuesday was a bust. I could not equalize.

1. Marina
Courtesy of the Roy Christopherson Collection
Ride out to Lands End
Courtesy of the Roy Christopherson Collection

2. Sixty foot dive at Lands End, Cabo. Saw 2FT Parrotfish
Courtesy of the Roy Christopherson Collection



My dive instructor, and boat guide took us out in the small boat. She felt bad because my dive schedule got messed up, so just the two of us dove this afternoon. About 40FT below, she motioned me to pet the brown Moray Eel as she did. I hesitantly did so. Checking forums, I would never do that again. Many in charge of the dive get bit and worse, infected, as eels are scavengers with bad eyesight. Saw couple Barracuda, and when we surfaced, we rose in a column of mackeral (silver fish) circling.
Courtesy of the Roy Christopherson Collection

Everything costs money! Sitting at the bar drinking lots of beer on a hot day.
Found out that all female tourists only dance with the locals, never someone from their country.
Courtesy of the Roy Christopherson Collection