Tuesday, September 13

4:15. Can't believe I am up at that hour. On the road by 5 and at airport and returned car with no difficulty. We were through security by 6:15 am and now we wait for our flight to Charlotte at 12:55.

We called Mary to let her know that we were at the airport and she said shortly after we left that there was an accident that caused traffic delays. So 4:15 was worth it.

Thanks Mary, Steve, Ann and John for the hospitality and company. You are wonderful people!

Visit us again on our next journey!

Monday, September 12

Got to sleep in and went to Mrs. Mac's Kitchen for eggs, toast, hashbrown casserole, bacon and fresh squeezed orange juice. I had a second glass – it was so fresh. After we left the restaurant, Dave mentioned that having the bacon for breakfast was the first time that we had meat since we have been on vacation. It has all been fish.

Checkout was 11 am but we left earlier so we could stop at some shops on the way north. We are going to Mary and Steve's in Miami. As we were getting ready to head out the sky was dark and we could see some lightening. Glad we aren't diving today. It took about 50 minutes to get to the Olson's. Dinner tonight was at Kyojin Japanese buffet and there were so many choices of sushi and sashimi plus ricee, noodles, spring rolls, beef and broccoli and the like. It was as good as I remember from last time. They had many offerings for dessert and even a chocolate fountain to dip marshmallows. Steve was not able to join us as he had his first day of school. In bed by 9:30 as 4:15 will come early so we can avoid traffic and any delays on the roads.

Sunday, September 11

Thinking of the people who lost their lives and their loved ones on this 10th anniversary of that horrible event in our country.

We went to mass last night at St. Justin the Martyr. Then onto drinks at Sharky's and eventually dinner at Galley's where Capt Tim from Quiescence recommended fish tacos, which Dave had. I had the Captain's platter of beer battered shrimp, scallops, mahi and conch fritters. Leftovers for lunch!

This is our last day of diving so we were at dock at 8 am. 7 divers plus Capt. Bob and crew Robert. First dive was at City of Washington wreck. The usual shark, two grouper, barracuda, lobster. Went to the bow of the wreck and worked our way back to stern and hung around the coral under our dive boat. There were lots of moon jellies. The second dive was at the Christ statue and got a photo of "Dave of the Deep". We saw another lobster and a hogfish, crab and box fish.

Back at the dock we rinsed our gear well so we could let it dry in order to pack it to leave on Monday. We had our leftovers for lunch. Went down to snorkel at the dock and people said we just missed a manatee that was there for about an hour. The water was shallow and very warm.

Went to Pilot House for drinks. I had a margarita since were were in Margaritaville-land. Dave had a gin and tonic. Then we decided on another one and I had and Banana Nut Bread drink which consisted of Bailey's Irish cream, crown royal, banana schnapps and amaretto liqueur. Dave had a Category 5 Hurricane which consisted of bacardi anejo, bacardi silver, orange juice, splash of cherry juice topped with 151. Both were delicious!

Went back to Fish House Encore since we enjoyed it there Friday night. I had the same dinner as before and Dave had Key Largo Encore which was his choice of fish, mahi, with parmesean cheese, red peppers, and other amazing things. Both were delicious.

Saturday, September 10

9/10/11 cool date

Went to dock for 8 am. Dave, me, Martin - from England who is taking his advanced courses and Mickey, DM who dove with Martin. It was nice not having lots of people on board. Seas were nice and calm. First dive was at City of Washington and we again had a welcoming committee off the 2 grouper and the nurse shark. They didn't hang around too long today. Saw the moray eel hiding under the wreck. I finally got a good photo of a flamingo tongue - its a little shell like critter that has orange dots on it. We just swum along at a slow pace and got to see the small stuff. Second dive was at South South Ledges - should have been called Seafan because there were a lot purple seafans all over the coral. Again took our time and saw the small stuff. Watched small crab maneuver along the coral and a small yellow fish that, when scared, flew back under a rock and then when he thought it was safe came back out.

Mary, Steve, Ann and John came down to visit and we ate lunch at Mrs. Mac's Kitchen. 5 of us had the fried fish, scallops and shrimp basket and Dave had seafood Hogfish Enrique which was a bit spicy, with beans and rice, tomatoes, green onions and cheddar cheese. He thought it was the best meal he has had since we have been here. After lunch we went by the African Queen - the boat that was in the movie then on to Largo Cargo. They went back to Miami and we can back and sat by the water and then got ready for mass which will be at 6.

Friday, September 9

Went to Gilbert's for dinner but they were not open. The person working there wasn't sure of their hours. Oh well - went to Hobo's for a delicious meal of smoked fish dip with crackers and bread as an appetizer then Dave had Mahi tacos and I had seafood chimichangas. Went down by the water but it was too buggy - no wind.

We were at Quiescence by 8 am and waited for boat to leave at 8:30. Our boat trip was 35 minutes out to Molasses Reef. There were 4 divers and 2 snorkelers. First dive was at Aquarium. Capt Tim reported 1 foot swells. It was beautiful and we could sit in a bowl like environment in the sand and watch to reef tower around us. There was a little current today - nothing like the St. Lawrence River though. We saw damsel fish, yellow trumpet fish, clouds of blue tang, elkhorn coral. We had a short surface interval and then onto Slobodna - a polish wooded wreck. Capt Tim today and Capt Don from yesterday have good senses of humor and quick wit. Tim moved the boat to second dive site and a woman on board asked if we had moved to another location or did he just go around in a circle. There were about 8 mooring balls in the area. He said that he thought about doing that someday to see if people would notice. Jumped into the water and and slowly worked our way through the reef and also had areas of sand where you could be in the center and look 360 degrees around you at the coral.

Came up and took equipment off. The other divers were still under so I asked Capt Tim if I could get it an try an above/underwater shot - so I did. Enjoying the swells and then all of a sudden I got hit with a moon jelly on my left back. I got right out of the water and Tim sprayed vinegar on it and then I put an anti-sting gel on it. It welted up but never itched. Stopped at grocery store and got some benydryl and hydrocortizone cream. Got back to room and took a shower and put cream on it. Moon jelly 1 - Lisa 0. And I didn't even get a good above/underwater photo!

Went to Encore Fish house and had a Rainbow Roll of shushi to include wahoo, white tuna, salmon, avocado and smelt eggs. Yummy! Dave had eel shishimi, conch chowder and a green salad with seared tuna. It was all delicious!

Came back to motel and went down by the water for some dramatic clouds and more lightening.

More diving tomorrow and Mary, Steve and Ann Olsen will be visiting us in the afternoon. Can't wait to see them!

Thursday, September 8

Up and breakfast. We were at dive shop - Quiescence - by 8 am today and ready for more shallow diving. Only three divers and 2 snorkelers. Nice. Went to Elbow Reef - City of Washington. This is the wreck where Mara and Sally were diving with us one time we were down here and this huge barracuda kept following us. We thought it was attracted to Sally's earrings and fingernail polish. We got in today and there was a welcoming party of two huge grouper and the barracuda. They hung around for a while because they are used to getting fed in the morning. They were very friendly. Also got to see a nurse shark, moray eel and lots of other critters. Had a short surface interval and went to the Christ of the Abyss statue. There were no other boats there so we could get close. Last time we had a long underwater swim to see the statue. It is quite an amazing site. It was given to Florida from the European divers to the American divers.

Came back to room for leftover hogfish and waiting to go to the German restaurant - Gilbert's for a german buffet.