Log/Pic 61 A New Car

So my truck died in Enfield, NC on my way home from my vacation. I left it and rented a Uhaul for the return trip. The truck, or fort, served me well with two trips to Canada, two out west, and 2 1/2 down the east coast to Florida. I haven't had a new car in 24 years so I thought it might be time. I bought a brand new Jeep Compass. I thought the name was very appropriate, but I like to think this wasn't the only reason I chose this vehicle.

Log/Pic 60 Bonaire/Curacao

So in July we did another two-week 'all you can breathe' dive package. We paid for one boat dive over to Klein Bonaire island, a night dive at town pier, and this dive to salt pier. The soft coral that grew on these columns was incredible.

Here is the salt that is processed on the island.

Here is me feeding the local lizards popcorn from my mouth...and chest...and bellybuttom.

Mules were once used to transport salt. There is still about 100 wild ones left roaming the island. In the five weeks, we saw 64 of them. We like to think we never counted the same one twice.

A nice Dutch lady started this donkey sanctuary. They take in injured or abused jackasses. I know a donkey, mule and jackass are not all the same thing, but I can never remember the difference and didn't want to keep using the word donkey.

As we drove around the park, I think we saw close to all 300 donkeys they have on site. They chased our truck and forced us to stop. What looks like a vehicle inspection is actually just a few stragglers looking for a hand-out.

This is our first visit to the park during a surface interval from our dives. We bonded with some newborns.

This was our 2nd trip to the park. We were lucky to watch the babies feeding.

The day we flew out of Bonaire, we spent the morning saying goodbye to our new friends. I think mom and baby were sad to see us go. The jackass rolling around in the background could give a shit.

Mom watched as this baby actually nestled on my shoulder.

A week in Curacao would be a great place to rest and 'off gas' after so many hours underwater. This was taken from the pool and looking out at the ocean towards Venezuela. Our room is on the right, But we didn't stay there long before...

...we were back beneath the sea. Above is a colorful collection of plume worms.

A curious french angel follows us around.

Below, a chocolate chip sea cucumber...well, doesn't do much of anything. They have been around since the dinosaurs and have not evolved much. They have a hole on either end; stuff goes in, stuff comes out-that's it!

Log/Pic 59 Bonaire

So on June 11th, my students left the building, excited about their summer. I pushed them out of the way and beat half of them to their cars. More excited than most of them, I was already packed and well on my way by nightfall. June 12th I arrived in West Virginia and hiked that states section of the Appalachian Trail-four miles!

I stayed a couple of days in Florida and then flew from Miami to Bonaire!

Like the plate says, Bonaire is a diver's paradise.

With over 60 shore dives to choose from, Lisa and I stayed busy logging exactly 100 dives!

We saw stripped and green moray eels as well as this chain eel.

We saw about eight octopus including this one during the day. It not only tried to camouflage its color, but attempted to imitate coral.

Within my first week there I reached my 600th logged dive. I celebrated the dive at a reef appropriately called Larry's Lair.

We bonded big-time with turtles. We watched them eat and swam alongside them.

The squid were abundant. We often saw a dozen together and once hovered motionless for about 15 minutes with a group of 26.

The one major wreck was the Helma Hooker. Here is me with it's propeller.

This moon jellyfish was about 24 inches in diameter (minus 20% from appearing larger underwater and another three inches because I tend to exaggerate.

After 62 dives we finally found a seahorse, my favorite fish. We didn't really find it, it was pointed out to us-but we did see it!

Below is where I want to teach my future students.

Log/Pic 58 National Geographic Adventure

So the Reminder News did an article on my display.

Here it is!

Then this appeared on the National Geographic website.

That's my photo

This month it made it into National Geographic Adventure magazine.

I was so excited when I was thumbing through it and unexpectedly saw my photo. I turned the photo over (which was turned into a post card), and realized they had given me credit for it. The photo was for unusual signs spotted while traveling. Next time, I hope it's for quality.

A few days later I received a check for this entry from travel writer Doug Lansky.

Log/Pic 57 The Cabin

So we decided to take a little trip to Buzz's cabin in New Hampshire.First we had to scare away the mice. I was careful not to shoot Lisa in the foot like I did to my brother the last time we I did this.

The addition-a new bed

The outhouse

Building a fire

Fresh peculated coffee made on the open flame

From our house I brought anything that no longer worked...and a few things that still did but would be wicked cool to blow up!

Then we shot the shit out of them!

This month I also set up a display at the community center at the Enfield library.

Mapping things out

Complete!

A couple from each continent

23 Photos in all (2 not shown).

This is Lisa and her parents, Ray and Cynthia, who spent three hours with me setting up this display.