Snorkeling, Molasses Reef

Today Lou, Chase, and I took the Jubilee (Lou's powerboat) out to Molasses reef. Every time I do this I am struck again by the beauty of the world we live in. The brilliance of the colors of the reef fish are not to be believed! One that I saw that was especially remarkable was a Queen Angelfish--and a hundred others that I wasn't able to identify. The bouyancy of the water is amazing--I could literally lie on the surface, breath through my snorkel, and watch the parade of blues, greens, yellows, scarlets, blacks, oranges--you name a color, I saw it! I had been able to buy a "skin suit"--kind of like a wetsuit but without any insulating value--but it does protect you from jellyfish or coral stings, and contributes a bit of bouyancy as well. I was surprised at how difficult it was to dive down, and was doubly surprised at the speed with which I came to the surface when I stopped kicking downwards.

During our last snorkeling expedition Lou had said that he thought that my mustache was the cause of the mask leakage I was experiencing. I shaved the mustache, and found that he was right--a small price to pay for better snorkeling! Truly a remarkable day! Thanks, Lou! Thanks, Chase!

Back in Key Largo

Hi, everybody! I'm back in Key Largo, at Lou Howell's place. Chase and I spent the afternoon running around, provisioning Harvey for a trip we're going on tomorrow. We plan to sail down to some state park moorings at "Hens and Chickens" reef, do some snorkeling, then head for Indian Key which is also a state park with lots of history. After that, maybe Long Key and others, coming back on Saturday or Sunday. Should be fun. I should be able to post photos and another update on Sunday.