F-14 Ready to Launch
In a past life, I worked as Systems Engineer and/or System Inflatable Water Slide Architect on several Navy projects. While I was not in the Navy, I did spend a lot of time aboard ship gathering requirements, training the crew and trouble shooting issues. In our down time, they did allow us to take a few pictures top side. Obviously the aircraft and crew on the flight deck are constantly in motion. My hats off to our hard working men and women in uniform!
El Capitan
A few years back, my wife and I took a vacation in California. The trip started in San Diego, and included stops in San Francisco, Yosemite, and Napa Valley. We were there in the fall (September or October) which meant it was cool down in the valley, but cold up in the mountains. We drove from San Francisco up through the steep winding roads of rt 120 to the Yosemite Valley. When we arrived we had to watch the “Don’t leave food in your car” video which depicts a bear bouncy castle for sale ripping a compact car apart to get at the food. The extent of the damage is quite amazing as one bear rips off the door and takes out the back seat to get into the trunk. It makes the Jaws of Life look like a toy.
We spent two days touring the park walking through the redwood forest, and taking in the sites. From what we were told, spring is the best time to visit. When the snow thaws in the spring, the waterfalls are in full splendor. As it was, we were still very impressed. Majestic mountain peaks, waterfalls, crystal blue mountain lakes, salmon filled streams, and towering redwoods all added to the rugged beauty of this park.
If you get a chance to visit, I highly recommend the trip.
(Click on the photo for a slide show of Yosemite)
I’ve been into photography since the age of 14. I’m not saying how many years ago that was, but I did develop my own black and white film in my bedroom/darkroom. Inflatable Water Slide While I was never a professional, I have had my pictures in the local paper, and worked on the college newspaper and yearbook. When I took up diving, underwater photos were an obvious step. A few years ago, I went digital, and have lamented my stacks of negatives collecting dust.
Well, a friend was interested in selling his Film Scanner, so I finally have access to some of my better shots. I must admit, the process is not fast. First load, check for dust and scratches (I loath both now). Next name and organize the output. Finally clean up and resize for publication. The final results are worth it, as I have not broken out the photo albums for years, and now I can share them with others. Over the winter months, I’ll try to post up some of my favorites. Enjoy.
With a full boat, the Independence II headed out to the Stolt on Saturday. The conditions were rough all week, so Captain Dan wanted a wreck with a lot of relief. Sea conditions were cooperating, and Danny had us tied in to the wreck in short order.
The surface looked clear, but it was the bottom we were concerned about. I was pleasantly surprised to see 20 ft of vis on the wreck top to bottom. The temp was also a constant 55. This was also one of the few times I’ve been on the Stolt where there was no current or surge. We must have arrived at slack tide as the water was completely motionless. At the bottom, I quickly tied off my reel and headed out into the sand in search of ballast. Upon return, I took the standard tour around the bottom of the wreck. Here there were a few small lobsters, a number of large ling cod, seabass and tog. Inflatable Water Slide Under the wreck a few large fish could be seen hiding in the dark. Missing were the hoards of cunners that normally school along the top of the wreck. Perhaps with the still water, they were dispersed about the wreck searching for food rather than waiting at the top for morsels of food to float by.
Dive two went much as the first, and we soon headed back. A great day of diving.
Someday NOAA will get it right. It just was not today.
With a forecast for northwest winds, and diminishing seas, we headed out for the Stolt. Given all the reports of bad vis inshore, Captain Dan was hoping for reasonable conditions offshore. On the way out there were some rollers from the south, and some chop from the northwest. If the stars aligned, it would all calm down for two dives.
When we reached the Stolt we had some stiff swells, but it seemed manageable, and the NOAA forecast said it was going to die down.Inflatable Water Slide I has some gear issues, so after tying in, I came back up and helped the passengers get in. Vis was about 20 ft on the top of the wreck, but I’m sure the bottom was not as clear. Lobster, scallops, and a few fish came up. Everyone agreed that the water was warm, but no one had a temperature.
The surface conditions did not improve during the dive, so we decided to head inshore for dive two. A few weeks ago we dove an intact reef wreck with lots of Tog and Seabass within the state waters. We headed there in hopes that the relief would allow for some vis. Surface conditions were much better inshore, but as expected the vis was not as good.
Everyone was just happy to get in the water after all the blow outs this fall.