Scubafriends Network

We’re going on a drive. Due to some strange coincidences (and reasonably-timed unemployment) we are at loose ends right now. There is some work to do on the house, but after that we’re totally free. So we’re driving to Florida. Targets of interest are Canaveral (we missed some of it last time due to scheduling), the excellent Ocean Grill (my father worked there as a kid), Key West (never been) and of course, some diving. We’re driving down from the DC/Baltimore area, so we are looking for any suggestions on things to see along the way, places to stay and especially dive locations or shops to talk to. We don’t have a set schedule (thats part of the point ..) and so booking ahead more than a day or two is going to be difficult. But, if we are coming your way and you want to get together (or have anything you can recommend), drop me a line in the comments.

Jean-Michel Cousteau has some interesting things to say about Steve Irwin’s life and death. Although he respects Irwin and his work, he expressed a “what do you expect” attitude towards the accident. He places the responsibility for the accident on Irwin’s “interactions” with wildlife, but if the reports are true then Irwin was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. (And it could have been anyone, including Cousteau, who scared the ray.) A few more details are available here.

Here is a great example of negative interaction with the wildlife. “A South Florida diver, who enjoys swimming with sharks, ends up hospitalized after he decided to kiss one and the shark kissed back.” On video no less. Wow. Just .. wow. He survived, with severe damage and a lot of reconstructive surgery.