First Blue Water Dive Attempt of the Season...

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Easter Egg Hunt

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The smell of neoprene...

Yesterday Lee and I stopped by Charleston Scuba as we were in route to walk on the beach. We didn't have any purpose except to say hello to our friends at Charleston Scuba, talk about anything related to diving and how we're jonesing to get back in the water... and of course, we were there to smell the neoprene.

There is nothing quite like the smell of dive gear. Of course, if you're a non-diver reading this, you're probably thinking I'm crazy. Think of our drive to dive and smell neoprene analogous to smelling freshly baked cookies. The sweet, warm smell of cookies fills your nostrils, your mouth waters and you can't wait to take a bite with an ice cold glass of milk. That is what smelling neoprene and talking about diving with other divers is like.

Our timing was good as no one else was in the shop. (This is rare.) Michelle and Gary were there. We shared stories and looked at gear. I learned that Michelle completed her Divemaster certification. (Way to go, Michelle!)

Bottom line: It was great to stop by the shop, see my dive friends and smell the neoprene! I can't wait to get back in the water.

I Can't Wait...

As suspected, it is an involved process to become a volunteer diver. But the perks are worth it. Swimming with fish, feeding them, prepping their food, educating visitors and much more. There is much to share about this new aspect of diving...

Next stop is to get a physical from the "Scuba" doctor here. I'll keep you posted

Charleston Aquarium Volunteer Orientation

Well, we've been waiting since around October and the day is finally here. Saturday morning will find Lee and I sitting through the Charleston Aquarium's Volunteer Orientation class.

The goal is for this to lead to a new "career" as a volunteer diver. If we pass all the check out exams - both written and in the water - we'll be allowed to volunteer dive in the aquarium two days a month.

Here is a video of someone as a volunteer diver at an aquarium. And here is a video of a volunteer diver feeding the fish; notice he's not diving with tanks or a BCD. Maybe one day I can post a similar video or photo of Lee and me.

(The photo shows a volunteer diver at an aquarium in Long Beach.)

a diver finding a megalodon tooth

Check out this video I just found of a diver finding a megalodon tooth.

Guess it will take practice, just like honing the skill of taking good pictures underwater. What a shame that this will require lots of diving... bummer...LOL

Bitten by the fossil finding bug - - or should I say tooth

Lee and I went to the fossil show yesterday. It was absolutely fascinating. You know, I've studied fossils in school and taught kids about them when I used to teach. I've even made a point of visiting museums to see fossil exhibits across the nation. But I've never seen personal collections like this.

It was exciting and interesting to talk to people about their finds. And it made me anxious to try my hand at underwater fossil hunting. I can't wait to get back in the water to see fish - - and now to find some teeth... I've been bitten - - by the fossil hunting bug... so much so that I dreamt about it last night. Look out fossil hunters - - there's another hunter seeking in the waters now...

Check out the photos Lee took of the collections at the show on photobucket.

Here are some megalodon sharks teeth Lee previously found while diving here in Charleston, SC.