BILL&CHERYL'S TRIP

CREW: GERI HARVEL, PAUL  DOUGHTY& LINDA SZETOO

page 1

Saturday:  Day begins with coffee and breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast and fruits.  Group was onboard from previous evening and finished their loading and equipment preparation.  Headed out of Stock Island Outer Island marina to Cayman Salvager.  Cheryl describes dives as follows:  Dropped down line to about 75' and waited for Ralph to follow with spear gun.  We started across the top of wreck and Ralph shot a hot fish.  Continued to cruise the top of wreck looking inside and I got to carry the stringer.  We slipped over the side and saw a goliath grouper (the biggest one I ever seen!!)  Ralph shot a good sized  amberjack.  The grouper became very interested in our catch.  The grouper stalked us from various angles.  In the tradition of predator/pray we did our best to look big and menacing.  I am still dragging the stringer, so seem to be primary interest of big grouper.  Fearful of being sucked in we went to up line for ascent.  

    Dive 2 was at Sand Key:  Time to look see .  Reef dive with trunkfish, lobster and a multitude of reef fishes and creatures.  

  Dive 3 was at Western Dry Rocks.  Bills say's "I got my first opportunity to try out spear fishing.  Our plan was to get enough grouper for dinner and we succeeded.  Spear fishing ranks right up there with Deer and Turkey hunting in Minnesota.  Getting that first fish is just like Buck.  It's the epitome of diving, fishing and hunting"  We finished  the day anchoring at Boca Grande with a feast of fresh grouper and amberjack.. 

Sunday: Up at 6 for the Captain, joined soon by Bill and Jerry for coffee..  Pancakes and sausages with fresh fruits and juices.   Back too Western Dry Rock area for more spear fishing.  Everyone wanted fish for Supper again.  Bills smacked a hogfish right away, Cheryl followed up by drilling a Hog fish into the rocks.  fish got off spear and the chase was on.  We captured the hogfish and Cheryl spotted a good black grouper and gave spear gun to Ralph.  Supper was on the stringer.

Dive 2:  Back to Cayman Salvager to do battle again.  Saw much more of wreck and were harassed by 2 goliath grouper in the what Bill thinks was the 10-12 ft. long and over 200#'s

Dive 3:  Finished diving at Western Samboo.  Bill and Cheryl said it was a coral heads with all varieties of fishes and creatures.  Twilight dive and was fun to see reef turn over. Finished the day with another feast of grouper and hogfish

Monday Fresh coffee from Baby's of Key West followed by pancakes, eggs, sausages and fresh fruits.  Every one wanted to get some time on Beach.  So we used morning for restocking.  After lunch Off to Joe's tug.  Seemed to disappear and we couldn't locate it so on to #1 marker.  Bill and Cheryl did a 1 hour shallow dive.  Seen nurse shark lobster and much other.  Cheryl was still in the hunting mood, poked at fish  .  Hung out for the perfect Sunset  and actually saw a sea turtle and dolphins off bow.  In for shrimp on the barbeque.  Finished the evening with Jerry Harvel performing mow town songs on his saxophone.  Was a perfect night.,  

Tuesday:  Coffee at 6:00. Storm came up with lots of rain.  Bill and Cheryl decided to spend a day in Key West.  did the "Pirates Museum, flying monkies for lunch and many more activities.  They both just loved the time at pirates museum.  Bill loaded with souvenirs,  Hats, stickers etc.  Ralph and Jerry caught up on some computer work and boat work.

Wednesday:  Coffee early, Breakfast of eggs, pancakes, sausages and fresh fruit. Winds are still blowing from East, so nixed are idea of going to Loo Key. Winds are supposed to drop tomorrow, so decided to take the tale wind to Boca Grande and dive are way back on Thursday. Too rough to dive the wall on anchor, so elected sand key and West dry rocks. Good diving, and on in to anchorage for a nice evening. Rib eye steaks on the grill with potatoes, broccoli and Jerry’s very good salad. The wine tasted especially good tonight. Bill and Cheryl were watching some movies, so Captain decided to catch some fish. That little bonnet head shark sure gave a good fight.  

Thursday:  Winds are calm for rest of week.  Captain up at 6. Had a good nights sleep on the hook. Wonderful morning at anchor. Enjoyed the Sunrise with fresh coffee, finished a good breakfast and on to the reef. Bill had some real luck on a big hogfish and I got lucky on some snapper. Tried the wall again, currents were strong, Bill and Cheryl learned the value of those safety sausages. Back in for trip to town and Supper at Flying Monkies. Of course had to check out Sloppy Joe’s, Hogs Breath and a couple of others. Goodnight. Friday was souvenir day, so Jerry and I cleaned boat and readied for next trip. Headed back to Miami around 3:oo. Was another wonderful trip. Already miss everyone.