First "Solo" Dive (without a group) for Mark and I - April 7th, 2007

Finally! Mark and I hit the water on Saturday. Driving the near 2 hours to Monterey bay we went to the place where it all started for both of us - Breakwater Cove. Suiting up felt a bit chaotic. Shore diving can be like that sometimes. We were fortunate, however, to have scored a parking space right at the wall, near the top of the stairs leading down to the beach. Fortune favors the brave, right? :-)

All suited up we headed into the water. Swam out about 100' feet or so - I am not that great with distances. Dropped down at about 15' to a nice, smooth, sandy bottom. Finning out further, Mark taking photos of starfish along the way. With me navigating, we worked our way to a slight drop off where I believed we'd find a metridium field that I had read about earlier that morning. Sure enough, hitting 35' they started showing up. More and more of them - dotting the entire bottom. Well, they turned out to be anenome, but they were still very awesome.

How great to be in the sea's garden. Decorator crabs creeping slowly along, blending into the garden surroundings. Starfish and sea cucumbers wallowing around.

After about 20 minutes of exploring the Field, we decided to navigate our way back to shore. Emerging we were both exhilarated from the field, our first non-dive group dive, taking photos for the first time, etc. Despite the shortness of the dive, we both felt accomplished and relaxed. Mission accomplished!

Dive Information: Site Name: Breakwater Cove

Location: Monterey, California

Date: 4/07/07

Equipment: 7mm (1-piece), 5/3 hooded vest, camera, light, fish identifying chart, 80-aluminum, compass, etc. Dive Conditions: shore dive, sunny weather. Water Conditions: Water temp 50 degrees, visibility approx 25', relatively calm water, little surge, no current Depth: 46' max, 34 minutes.

Marine Life: starfish, anemone, decorator crabs, sea cucumbers, small fish (unsure what).