Wow! What a last few days!

Good day to whomever might read this blog.

I have just returned from a 2 day dive trip at Beaver Lake outside Eureka Springs, AR. The lake was up so much the visibility sucked. It was 5 - 7 feet for most areas. The water was warm for the most part; about 81 degrees first thermocline, a thin but distinct layer in a large body of water, such as an ocean or lake, in which temperature changes more rapidly with depth than it does in the layers above or below. So that made diving not too bad.

The dive for us, dave and I got separated from our other buddy. I was so scared. We waited topside for him for 45 mins. It was getting dark so we headed to shore making plans to call 9-1-1 for search and rescue squad. Our buddy was sitting with our dive flag, waiting for us. I had never been so scared about leaving someone behind, nor angry/relieved to see him alive. I could believe he was really dead, but you never know. Strange things happen when you cannot see underwater very well.

The next morning we planned a deeper dive. We had bought a new wet/dry 7 mil suit for me. I tried to wear in the water, but I could not breath. Dave thinks I woosed out! I know he does. He wanted me to be able to go deeper and see more things in the lakes. I have a 5 mil wet suit, so I put that on. I was able to go down to 44 ft. without freaking out too much. The temp at 44 ft. was 71 degrees or colder. I was so cold the first few seconds at that temp I just wanted to run. But I had already caused enough stresses for the guys I could not bring myself to woose out again.

We did have to cut the dive shorter than most because I was using a 50 size tank and not an 80; it does not hold as much air as an 80. I ran out of air before they did because of all the stressing out I had done with the other wet suit and when I first got cold. So the guys swam back at 10 ft then dropped me off at the shore. They continued diving for about 15 - 20 minutes longer. Long enough for me to get my gear undone and arranged to dry...no time for any rays though.

Friday night we had sausages patties on buns for supper. It was not bad, but I would have preferred something else. Late in the evening or early morning the raccoons partook of the cheetos and raw hamburger we had in the coolers and picnic baskets. I guess they are smart little critters who live in the woods. Luckily they have not learned to pop the tops of the beers or we would have been screwed. Drunken' raccoons just did not seem to be much fun to come across. So there went the next day's food.

We thought we might be able to get better viz at Table Rock dam. NOPE. It was flooded as much or more than Beaver. We did not even take the time to get the gear out. So we drove back to Beaver Lake. Two hours one way......stopped in Eureka Springs for a meal...then back to the lake for the last dive of this trip.

Last night, we were sitting around the camp when we heard thunder. It began to rain around 8 pm. So into the tents we went. We purchases an air mattress on legs to get me off the floor of the tent. It was great. However, for some reason we got water in our tent...not too much but still more than we should have. It rained most of the night.

While on this trip, I did hear from my friend, Bob. He wanted to know if my husband's band would be playing Sat. night. But alas we were in Beaver on a dive trip so he would not be playing. I guess he wanted to know what I was going also, not sure the message was a bit confusing. So I wrote back and explained I was diving at Beaver Lake. He then remembered I had sent him the information earlier. He still has not remembered my birthday. Shall we bet about this. I believe he will NEVER remember my birthday and only ask when he has his own, in March or April. One of those months. Or when someone he knows has a birthday. I am sure he will remember his 'girl'friend's name.

Gotta run. I think I am hungry. Take care.

Hope your life is less eventful than mine. If not, hang on.........you are in for a ride.