5-25-02 Tampa Bay,

Ok, I have to say that I don't usually read Dan's notes before I write my own. But I did this time and I'll try not to duplicate so much.

Woke up way too early for my newfound sleep schedule (8:00 am - EASTERN). Signed up for the snorkeling trip, then chilled for a while in the room until it was time to get picked up. As far as my expounding on the old late 70's dodge van goes (oh, the only way I could tell was the ever so familiar whine of the starter winding down (and everybody whose had an old Dodge/Chrysler/ Plymouth knows what I'm talking about) once the motor started (all of the times it did start), it really WAS an artistic thing of beauty and I couldn't help but think "Al needs a truck like this...", but wait till I post the pics of this.....for lack of better word...beast. It's funny too, because after I got back and looked at their web site they called this...wonder a "trolley". LOL on that one.

We were picked up by Jamie, who once we got to the dock found out was our first mate. I have to say that I sure am glad his boating skills are more tame than his driving ones (Jamie, did you used to live in Atlanta). But in all fairness, he really was just trying to keep the rolling heap running for each mile (maybe drop in a set of plugs and you won't have to hang it in neutral at every light) - it was a fun and I couldn't help but grin most of the ride there (except that one time.... [no, not at band camp]).

We were headed to Egmont Key, and island where there were Spanish/American war forts as well as a lighthouse built in 1853 which is still standing and functional. One of the cooler parts of the boat ride, piloted by Captain Hal, was the dolphins riding our wake. They were so close you could practically touch them. That was neat...ok... I have to throw this out there....the cheering Clearwater girls CWG's) were a lot of fun too.

Anyway once to the island we had the one hour on the land (which we were unaware of) and then out for a one hour snorkeling trip. Got some good pics of the turtles living on the island, including one that seemed to have a real hankering for some nice chewy rubber sandals.

Definitely wasn't shod right for the walking expedition in our sandals. The sand was fine and dark (which made it very hot) and had a lot of fine sharp shells mixed in, making it very interesting. I think we only made a few ooh... ow...ahh noises. Did manage to get a quarter size blister on my foot too under the strap making it worse.

The forts were very cool and we walked around inside of them and checked out the gun emplacements and such. Interesting place. Even the old rusted steel watch tower, crumbled long ago, still sits. Got a lot of interesting pics. I hope they come out ok.

Went on the snorkeling trip just around and outside of the island, where another fort was submerged. Visibility was not great and like Dan mentioned, large schools of fish clouded the view further. The captain said there was a couple barracudas around but we never saw them. Snorkeling there was pretty poor and I wouldn't do it again for that, but the island is nice. One other thing to note, was that the Coast Guard closed off the pier so our boat, an old fiberglass Navy Launch had to pull up as far as it good and they dropped extension ladders into the water for us to get down. It was pretty silly and I think I have a pic of that too.

The trip back was much of same with a dolphin show as well and Dan and I being the, ahem, gentlemen we are, offered up the one patch of sun on the boat that wasn't getting soaked, to the CWG's.

It wasn't bad and I was saying to Dan on the boat on the way back, that I always like the ride back to shore after doing something like that whether snorkeling or diving or whatever. It's was relaxing and peaceful.

Once back, paid our cash and tip and Cap'n Hal drove us back in the "thing", once he got it started. I'll give em a plug just for the audacity to drive a critter like that on the street. See them at http://www.captainsnow.com/dolphinshow.html    they have some better dolphin pics than I got and you'll be able to see what we did. Cool.

Also, I don't care how much benadryl I have to take, I'm still gonna eat the seafood.

Other than that quiet and relaxing. Just what we needed.

Miker