Clear Waters

and calm seas

Ivan's Legacy

We were very fortunate to have moved off of Grand Cayman about 2 months before hurricane Ivan hit as a category 5 storm. Ivan's eye passed approximately 18 miles to the south. Nine years later there are still many properties bearing the damage of the wind and waves, many vacant lots with nice tile floors (even whole complexes), and many conversations are overheard mentioning Ivan as the time when everything changed- "He's been working there since Ivan knocked down the old building."

On the upside, Ivan has created some bargain real estate opportunities,

so long as you don't mind some fixing up.

Turtle Farm Pool Party

These ±400lbs turtles seemed to love playing in the pool's water jets.

Grand Cayman

Our first day back on Grand Cayman started with a couple of dives on the gorgeous swiss cheesy reefs of the East End.

 Afterwards, we drove all the way to the tip of West Bay to visit our old beach in front of our former apartment.

 On the way back we stopped at the Cayman Turtle Farm to see what they've done with the place.

 We saw big breeding-sized turtles,

little several-month-old turtles,

 and even a tiny baby turtle in an incubator that has hatched from it's shell, but hasn't yet made the climb to the surface with it's siblings!

On the way back we, wait!...what the...!

 Never say never, right?

6

Today is the 6th anniversary of our wedding.

 To celebrate, we are leaving the Virgin Islands behind

and, after a quick stop in the Land Of Too Much Stuff,

going back to the island where we had our first apartment together.

Dinner With The Greek

We went to the Pickled Greek for a family-style dinner featuring Kiki & the Flaming Gypsies!

 Between courses they performed bellydance routines for the patrons

 and eventually this happened.

 After everyone was blown away by their performances, they started doing what they do best.

and at some point we ate food or something.

More Stuff

On a dry run of our 550ft dive, we saw something down below us. 

We went back for a closer look and found at 297ft what looks to be some kind of cart wheel and axle. Maybe from a cannon carriage?

If Only...

Strangely enough, I think I've been down to 840ft in this little sub when we lived on Grand Cayman. I think the company I worked for operated PC1201 and PC1203.

Sunset Palms

I Really Need To Step It Up

Pitch,...Please!

 Pre-game warm ups for our team, Pitch, please.

 Monday nights, under the light(s)!

550

 After weeks of delays and set backs, we finally got to smooth over details before making the descent for the deepest dive yet on St Croix.

 I followed him down to my deep support depth and watched him drop the rest of the way by himself.

 For about 4 more minutes he swam nearly straight down until he reached 554ft. He says the nearly vertical edge of the island bottomed out at about 500 and he had to swim out and over another ledge to reach his planned depth. I lost visual contact for about 8 minutes before I could see his light shining up from below me. We joined up and started switching through our different gases while doing decompression stops

 until we were joined by the shallower support divers bearing extra tanks of deco gases in case we needed them.

 As soon as all the decompression stops were done (about 2 hours worth), 3 dolphins showed up and swam around as if to congratulate us. I imagine it takes a lot to impress a dolphin,

 and as far as I'm concerned, we did.

Early Anniversary Present!

Shop Dog

Twins

Sunset Pastels

Chantal

Our first tropical storm activity for the season. Looks like a windy day tomorrow!

Too Much Company

First Lime

Best Medical Specialty

Booby On The Bow

Tropical Fireworks

Amphibious Beach Assault

My sister and her friends invaded Green Cay

BFF Prints