Living the life most people just dream about~

Well today turned out to be exactly what I thought it was going to be. We both slept in until 08:00, had a nice small breakfast and sat around and did an entire day of nothing~! We started a new series “Covert Affairs” recommended by Vera. Angie likes it – I’m still on the fence but starting to warm up to it. I wound up making my bride another steak and myself a couple of hotdogs. Dishes are done and now, here I set.

My Queen has a follow up doctors appointment tomorrow morning and then we have a dive club meeting tomorrow evening, so maybe a little more to rattle on about tomorrow. Until then, more dive pictures I don’t think you’ve seen yet.

Good Night Ya’ll – – – – – – – – – — Thankx for stopping in~!

To all of the Mom’s reading this – Happy Mother’s Day. I hope it was a truly great day for you~!

Crashing early last night – I woke up at 05:30 this morning just bright eyed and bushy tailed. Knowing I had a full hour of sleep ‘left’…. I overrode the powerful urge to wet the bed and fell back asleep. Now, I know better than to do that….. when I wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed……. I should get up then….. but did I ???? NOOoooooo…. silly, silly man……. I re-awoke [is that a word?] only to have to pee even worse and feeling like I had beaten with a bat. We both went to bed well before 9:00pm last night because we were both worn out, so I knew getting up at 05:30 would have been fine….. but NOOoooooo…. let’s be stupid…… live and learn (eventually…. I have been working on it for well over 50 years… ain’t got it yet)  😉

We got our morning stuff out of the way and I gathered up my dive gear and was out the door by 09:00…… headed to the West end of the island for a dive and some picture taking. A good friend, Bob, ( from the 4/15 post Bob wasn’t happy) his wife was making a Discover SCUBA dive and he had asked me to tag along and take some pictures of the event. His wife, Gail, is a little bitty thing with an infectious smile and I was more than happy to do it. She is a friend of Angie’s and Angie was happy to give up part of her Mother’s Day to let me do this. We met at the Pier and were soon in the water. Gail did an outstanding job~! Her dive lasted a full hour~!!! Pretty impressive for a Discover Dive~! We finally got all the gear put up and agreed to meet at Rhythm’s Bar – a fun little place a couple of miles down the road. We met up and drank to Gail’s accomplishment, had a bite to eat and just enjoyed each others company. A great way to spend a Mother’s Day. (at least I thought so)

We finally wound up back here at the condo – got our showers and relaxed with a drink or six. My Bride said she was getting hungry and would like a steak with some sautéed onions. I was on it~! I made her, her steak and a nice big cheeseburger for me. Bellies full now and ready for another good nights sleep – I’m gonna put this up, with some pictures from today of Gail, hubby Bob and Dive Master Greg [Latitude 17 SCUBA]. Tomorrow looks to be a nice laid back – do NOTHING kind of day and we both are looking forward to it. Until then……..

Good Night Ya’ll – – – – – – – – – – Thankx for stopping in~!

 

 

Well I got the place straightened up yesterday and sat down and to watch some TV for a little bit before I had to take off for the airport to fetch my Queen. I had received several texts from her saying there was delays so I knew the original 10:57[pm] arrival time would be pushed out a little bit…… and boy howdy did it ever. Her plane touched down a couple of minutes before Midnight…… but I finally collected her and her luggage and headed out to the truck. I mixed us a drink and cheered her return. By the time we got back, had a couple more drinks and chatted for a bit, it was 02:00 in the morning. We finally fell into bed for some much needed sleep. I was hoping to sleep in until at least 09:00….. but shortly after 07:00, my eyes popped open. Having to wizzzz real bad, I went ahead and got up. Once I’m up like that – I’m up. My Bride slept in for another hour and a half or so before she finally came out.

We spent a pretty quiet day not doing much. Around 4:00 – we ran up to Blues so she could say her hello’s. We wound up shutting them down. Swung by Mickey-D’s for some fish sammiches and back here to wolf them down. I find myself now, so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open…. so I’m gonna put up a couple of pictures from today and some dive pictures for you. I have been asked by a friend to join him on the West end tomorrow to shoot some underwater pictures for him. His wife is apparently doing a ‘Discover SCUBA’ dive and they would like it documented. My Bride said she is fine with me running out there to do that even though it is Mothers Day. She said she would probably come along and hang out on the beach while I dove. So for now, I’m calling it a night so I’m better rested for the dive tomorrow.

Good Night Ya’ll . .. . . . . . . . . . . Thankx for stopping in~!

Sun SET (for a change)

Journeyed downtown to meet up with St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventure (S.C.U.B.A.)  I have dove with these folks several times before and always enjoyed it. I did not however enjoy the price hike they implemented and I’m afraid today may be my last dive with them. Not saying they’re not worth it – but I can make 5 dives (with a competitor) for the same money I paid this morning to make 2 dives.  I have never considered myself cheap – but that is a HUGE difference and I am after all on a limited income now.

With that being said…. both dives were outstanding. Sharks, Barracudas, Sting Rays and Turtles on both sites plus all the other wonderful creatures that share the water with them and us.

Came back, got a quick shower and started uploading pictures. I still have pictures from previous dives to show you, but will put up some from today’s tonight. I’ll save the others for the next several days. My Queen is coming in tonight [albeit, now much later than originally scheduled – thankx American Airlines~!] and I suspect I won’t have near as much to write about the next couple of days – but will have LOTS of pictures for you. I still have a little cleaning and straightening to do before I go fetch my Queen – so I’m calling it quits here. Sure has been a fun week doing all this diving, but I’m ready to have my Bride back~~ : )

Good Night Ya’ll – – – – – – – – Thankx for stopping in~!

 

 

Up again after a marginally better nights sleep and ready for more diving. This time driving to the West end of the island… so had to leave a little earlier. That drive either takes 25 minutes or 45 minutes…. depending on traffic. I got there a touch early, paid for my dives and was soon on the boat. Our first dive site turned out to be my favorite dive site on the island [so far] It is called Armageddon…. I know have told you about it – but as a reminder, it is the remnants of the last big pier that was destroyed in the mid 80’s by hurricane Hugo…… awfulliest mess of beams, girders, tires, cables, etc. you can imagine, but OMG what a great dive site. It sits in about 80′ of water going down to just past 100′ deep. There are lots of great swim throughs, and it holds SO MUCH sea life….. incredible~!!! To date – absolutely my favorite dive site on the island~! I fired off almost 75 pictures on that dive, even though Vis left some to be desired. We came up for our surface interval and decided we would do the pier for our next dive….. but instead of the long ugly kick out usually done on a pier dive, we unloaded at the far end of the pier [from the boat] – so we got to swim the full length of the pier without the nasty kick-out~!  Yay~!!  I took a total of 116 underwater pictures, but by the time I was done editing – I wound up with 55…… still enough for a couple of days worth of pictures.

I came home, showered and loaded pictures, before taking off again back to the West end. I was finally going to get to try out the infamous Lost Dog Saloon pizza. As I stated last night – the area is a little bit shady, and my Bride did not want to go there. Friends Shawn and Cynthia agreed to join me there – and we were soon sitting ad chatting. After viewing the fine establishment, I feel pretty durn confident in saying – that, yeppers – my Queen would NOT like it there…… none-the-less…. I ordered my usual ALL MEAT pizza with a handful of mushrooms, and in a mere three beers later – it showed up. It certainly looked tasty~! However…… while it was not a bad pizza – it just barely made my top 5 ( and that’s only because there are only about 8 pizza places on the island).  I would  eat it again, but would not make a special trip back to that end of the island just for the pizza. I’m happy AND sad it wasn’t really that good….. if it was – then I’d have to drive to that end of the island a LOT more often…… and sad because, well……. it just wasn’t that good of a pizza…… sad day~~~ but the company was outstanding….. so all’s well that ends well~!

Doing another two-tank dive in the morning – looking forward to it, as it will probably be a while before I do any more diving – because my Queen is coming home tomorrow (YAY~!!!!) and I want to spend my time with her. I’m sure she has lot’s of tales to tell.  (half of todays pictures now – rest later)

Good Night Ya’ll . . . . . . . . . . . . Thankx for stopping in~!

 

Arose bright and early this morning after a pitiful night’s sleep. Not sure what the deal is but may have to look into some kind of drugs to knock my a$$ out so I can sleep~! Got up, made me breakfast and was soon out the door for more diving~! On the boat by 08:30, put my gear together and waited to hit the dive spot. Turns out I have dove this particular place a week or so ago, but I really liked it, so was happy to drop back in. Barely on the ocean floor and we were greeted by a couple of sharks~! A great way to start off a dive. Visibility left a little bit to be desired, but it wasn’t terrible and the dive provided a couple of good pictures. A short steam to the next site – we stopped and munched on pineapple slices and snicker doodles while we waited for some of the Nitrogen to seep out of us. Our required hour finally passed and we were soon sinking beneath the waves once again at a new site for me….. Gentle Winds. Visibility once again left some to be desired, but again not terrible. More sharks, a couple of Barracuda’s and a turtle, so not bad~! Back in port, rinsed my gear and stopped by Blues on the way home for one of them wonderfully cold Budweiser’s. One turned into two into three and then a shot of Fireball, losing my a$$ at 3’s away and a Vodka Cranberry before I made it back to the condo (I  really should have known better)….. showered, another nuked hot dog and I was soon out the door again to a board meeting of our local dive club (CRABBS). The meeting was at Leatherback ( a local beer brewery [don’t ask them for a Budweiser when they take your drink order – they get a little bit pissy about it]…… A good meeting – lots of fun new things coming up I think the club will like — Headed back toward the house and was hungry because I was too stupid to get something to eat there – so I swung through La Reine’s McDonalds…….. 4 cars in front of me and in and out in 11 minutes…. I could get plumb spoiled with that kind of time. I had most of my ‘dinner’ on the drive home and now back here plying you all with my muse…….

Another two-tank dive in the morning on the west end of the island. Gonna do a two-fer tomorrow as I will come home, drop my gear, shower and clean up, then head back for some long anticipated Lost Dog Saloon pizza. The place is in a kind of shady part of town and my Queen does not feel comfortable there – so I never go – but it is rumored to have some outstanding pizza – so I’m gonna check it out tomorrow. I have invited friends Shawn and Cynthia to join me, but not sure if they can make it yet or not. I “kinda, sorta” hope the pizza ain’t that great – cause if it is, it’s a looooong way from home and my Bride don’t like the area, so I wouldn’t be able to get much of it…… unless I start diving a lot more on that end of the island and bring it home with me  😉  We’ll see~~~

Good Night Ya’ll – – – – – – – – — Thankx for stopping in~!

 

No diving today because I promised friends to help move one of their friends….. me and my big mouth~! I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before – but it bears repeating…. one of the down sides of owning a truck (especially on this island) is that everybody wants to be your friend….. you see, most people drive a Jeep or Jeep-like little outfit on this island – so when something needs moved – they seek out truck owners…….. Something that I have known for EONS, but managed to forget when I signed up for this assignment – was to ask “what floor”. That one came back to bite me in the touchas….. but in all fairness, for these friends it really wouldn’t have mattered….. This particular ‘move’ was located about 150′ down a walkway on the 3rd floor….. OMG~! I have got my cardio in for the month…. possibly the year~! Approximately 35 trips up [and down] 34 steps (lugging heavy crap) plus that 150′ hike down the walkway…… bad part is – we didn’t get to actually move her into anywhere…. all the stuff went into storage – so once she gets a place….. she is gonna need help again~! Sure hope it is a ground floor place. The friend that asked me to help, called it quits after about 3 hours and I am not ashamed to admit – I quit right along side of her. Fortunately, the ‘movee‘ had recruited more trucks and help and the 2nd shift was due to arrive shortly. I came back to the condo, peeled off my soaking wet shirt and headed straight for the shower. Finally clean, cooled off and relax – I nuked and inhaled a hot dog and sat down to relax for a bit.

There was a meeting of the Adaptive Dive committee tonight – and since I am officially a member (haven’t made a meeting yet) I figured I would go check it out. Being held at the same place I dove out of yesterday (and am again in the morning) – it was close, so away I went. It is a small group affiliated with our dive club – looking to see if we can establish a group on the island that would be trained and able to help folks with disabilities, be able to make a dive. From what I heard tonight, the group is moving forward nicely. I spoke with the spokesperson of the group after the meeting and confessed – I have no desire to become an Instructor or Divemaster for them – but I would like make myself available as a certified assistant in the water for them. More on that as it develops.

Finally left the meeting, stopped by the grocery store to re-stock a few things I will need for when my Bride finally comes home to me on Friday and now at 21:30 (9:30pm) – am I just getting this wrapped up. A couple of pictures from the place where I was helping move today – and the rest of my dive pictures from yesterday (again – shark video will have to go up on FB) —– Another 2-tank dive in the morning, so more underwater pictures for you~!!

Happy Birthday to “my” Lead Guitar player – Eugene Eaton~!

Good Night Ya’ll – – – – – – – – – – –  Thankx for stopping in~!

 

Giant Agave plant – this was taller than me~!

A couple of very tall fan palm trees

The ‘view’ from the place where the moving was going on…….

IMG_1143       <—— Video

Little ole me~~

 

I woke up about a half an hour before I intended to – but felt really good after finally getting a pretty decent nights sleep. Woke up rested and only mildly beaten. 3 Aspirin before I went to bed helped a bunch….. that and being just plain ole worn out. Made me a small breakfast and then gathered my gear up. Grabbed a bottle of Spark and headed out the door. I finally got the right mix of Spark now for it to do me some good~! I nursed the Spark and had a cigarette before arriving at the dive boat (Only about 8 minutes away – I love it~!) I got there a little bit early, so I sat in my truck, finished my Spark, had another cigarette and swapped a couple of texts with my Queen.

08:30 – Got loaded up on the boat – got my first tank assembled and sat and waited on the rest of the divers. There was some technical issues with one of the rigs and the dive master had to make a quick run to the shop  for parts. I wasn’t really in a hurry anyway – so it was all good. Finally underway – first dive site was North Star – I have dove that site a couple of times in the last couple of weeks, but I didn’t really mind. Vis was decent and I dropped straight down onto about a 4′ Barracuda~! Several other good finds…. (Jelly fish and a turtle~!) A very enjoyable dive. A long boat ride later and we wound up on a site I have been trying to get to since I arrived on the island…… the West Wall of Salt river~!! In we went, minus a couple of divers from the first group (ear and eye issues) — Many, many, many years ago, when ocean levels were much lower, Salt River was an actually river, with waterfalls where it entered the ocean. Now, under water, you can still see where the ‘falls’ where at~! Just past the base of the falls, the ‘wall’ falls off to some 13,000′. What an awesome experience to float out over that edge and start sinking, knowing there is over 2 miles of water under you~!!!! As we swam along the wall, we ran into what the dive master later referred to as ‘a cloud’. It was like someone flipped a light switch and visibility dropped almost instantly to less than 15′. An eerie feeling… like going almost instantly blind. We spent about 20 minutes in the cloud before we finally swam our way out of it. It sucks because I couldn’t see anything or take any decent pictures – but still kind of cool in it’s own right.  We were rewarded though, as we got back to the boat – I was using the remainder of my air when I got visited by 4 Caribbean Reef sharks. Not very friendly or cooperative – but I managed a couple of pictures and a [long] video you’ll have to go to FB to watch [sorry]…………….

A day off from diving tomorrow, as I am supposed to help friends move a friend (same one from a couple of weeks ago) – so not sure what tomorrow brings….. until then – fun pictures from today to share with you~!

Received word Clem Penrose passed away late yesterday….. You were a cool old dude Clem and the place will be a little sadder now that you’re gone. R.I.P. brother~

Good Night Ya’ll – – – – – – – – – – Thankx for stopping in~!

 

Barracuda~!

DCIM100GOPROGOPR8185.

Happy Cinco De Mayo~! Although I didn’t get much sleep last night, I feel much better now than I did when I was writing this yesterday. Even after 4 Ibuprofen right before bedtime last night – my knees screamed loud enough – that sleep was pitiful at best. It’s not a big surprise to me anymore – especially after a day like yesterday. My knees just have taken too much abuse over my life time to tolerate days like yesterday at my age [and weight]. Not a hellva lot I can do about it. Dang sure not going to have surgery unless there is just no other option. I guess I could lose some weight, but realistically don’t see that happening and I honestly don’t think it would do a heckva lot good any way~~

I got up to Blues at 08:30 yesterday morning, with 12 bags of ice. Got the ice unloaded and came into the yard and went straight to work. Prepping the yard, getting beer iced down (for re-filling the beer coolers as they run low) and anything else that Jim or Eddy requested. The place opened at 11:00 and we had one guy standing there at the gate waiting for it open. As soon as we were open, more people started filing in and had a slow steady trickle through lunch. The “party” was advertised to start at 1:00pm…..by 1:30 there was a sizable crowd and by 2:00, the place was packed. Packed and partying~! Jim and I served Blues Margarita’s and handed out Sombrero’s, Sunglasses and mustaches. I managed to snap a couple of pictures every time I made my trash can rounds (also my job to  keep them emptied) The band showed up ( The Drunken Dumplings– or something like that) showed up and had the place rocking for almost their entire 3 hours. The novelty of the Blues Margarita’s wore off after about 5 gallons of them had been served and I soon settled into my Bar backing job…… and the boys (Eddy and Tim) kept me hopping. I iced down and restocked at least 8 cases of beer, along with the occasional run to the supply room (and one emergency run to get more ice) and emptying trash cans. I hauled out 9 large bags of trash that I know of.

The band quit at 5:00 and by 5:30 only a handful of people remained and I finally got to sit down and smoke a cigarette. I went through 7 bottles of water and one big bottle of Spark [it was a life saver]……. and I finally went in and made me a drink. Finally got the last of the people ran off by 6:00 [closing time on  Saturday’s] and sat and had a couple of more drinks with the staff there at the bar. We all were worn out, Bartenders cooks, servers, owners and me…..

I promised Deb I’d put up the pictures I took for her – so as soon as I got out of my very much needed shower – I sat down and got them up for her – plus my little note last night to you.

I went back up this morning and put in a couple of hours helping Jim get the Backyard ready for business tomorrow morning. Of course we had to sit and have a beer or 4 afterwards. I came back home, took another shower and spent the rest of the day on the couch doing a whole lot of nothing. Tomorrow starts and active week for me, doing 2-tank dives on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. Helping friends move on Tuesday. Also have a dive club meeting in there and I have to get out to the West end for some Lost Dog Saloon pizza before my Bride comes back home to me on Friday. Busy, busy,  busy week….. but it should be a fun one~ Look out knees~!  😉

Happy Birthday mi Amigo Rolando~!!!

Good Night Ya’ll . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thankx for stopping in~!

Gonna be real up front with you all tonight – I am just too pooped to spend a lot of time typing tonight. The old fat boy got his A$$ handed to him today. Don’t know if it was the combination of a fairly tough week, a hustling afternoon or what – but I feel like I have been rode hard, put up wet, then beat with a bat around my knees.

I was serving “Blues Margarita’s” today and bar backing for 2 bartenders – and filling in as part time photographer when time allowed. What a wonderful afternoon at Blues Backyard BBQ~! I will go into more detail tomorrow – but for tonight – I’m gonna put up some pix and let it go at that.

Deb asked for pictures – so I am going to put them ALL up on FB tonight – so she can pick out what she wants….. I’ll put some of the better ones up here tonight – and the rest later…….

Good night Ya’ll —————– Thankx for stopping in~!

Getting ready~!

Sarah & Matt

Bill & Sheryll

IMG_1125 <——Video

Place was PACKED~!!