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!