Started with working about 5 hours of OT on Thursday, getting home late
for the last minute preparations, managing to be about an hour late to
Orlando International Airport to pick up John.  Fortunately, arrived to pick
up a smiling and excited John, seeming not at all bothered by my late
arrival.  Shoved his gear into the back of my truck and headed back east
then south for a long drive to the Keys.  Pulled over for a two hour nap at
the Palm Beach service area, breakfasted in Key Largo, then arrived in
Marathon at Dan's condo after 0900, per explicit instructions.  :-)

   On arrival in Marathon Dan, Patti, Arnold, John & I made our
introductions and had about a couple hours visit before proceeding to Hall's
for the first dive outing.

   Hall's had a large boat that was very pleasant in it's uncrowded state.
Pineapple and watermelon slices, as well as Rolos & York Peppermint Patties,
were on ice, as well as ice water from a cooler.

   First dive was a barge, did about 55 minutes, second a reef, did 60
minutes.  Both shallow, vis was acceptable, very enjoyable as the first salt
in over 4 months.  Used one set of double AL 80s for both dives.  As I use a
10 1/2 lb V weight in salt (weighted for dubs & stage), not as nice as fresh
water handling, but still superior to a single.  Couldn't resist approaching
a photographer inverted while playing around.

   Also got to try out a different version of DPV, specifically a John
Hanson model #1.  Left the cameramen alone, and figured I'd give Patti
amnesty also, but John was fair game.

   Oh, and saw fish, lots of fish.  Only ones I could name would be
Angelfish, Nurse Shark and Pattifish, but I saw many Unidentified Swimming
Fish, so a good dive.

   All 5 of us went out for dinner afterwards, very big thank-you to
Arnold, then headed back to Dan's condo.  Said our goodbyes to Arnold, very
nice he was able to join once before he had to leave.

   Saturday AM awoke (sluggishly on my part) and headed to breakfast before
going down to Inner Space.  Dan and Patti quite patiently were introduced to
Southern scheduling, as the non-Yankee Yankee got himself in gear to go.  We
arrived in time to get signed in, geared up and on the boat, so good enough.

   Loee Reef was also two shallow dives, vis noticeably lower than the day
before.  switched to a single steel 108 for the day, wasn't quite sure it
would be enough gas for both dives, so slung a stage for the first dive.
That one confused the Captain briefly, Dan quickly explained it off as a
system weighting issue, and I was in the water.  Never carried a stage with
a single before, as well as hadn't dove a single in nearly a year, worked
quite well, suspect in the water more orderly than
many the Captain has ferried.  ;-)

   Never saw Dan & Patti during that entire dive, despite surfacing and
looking for their bubbles.  Suspect it had to do with John and I going first
and the poor vis, as well as my random navigation.  No lines on the reefs,
they were not quite laid out straight, and my compass was "back-ordered"
(yeah, specific type and boot ordered).  But, lots of USF, so, another good
dive.

   For dive two, never got back on the boat, just passed off the stage,
think there was more to the story I missed, but it worked for me.  Got a few
cups of room temp water, which was all there was, so missed nothing.

   This time John and I waited for Dan and Patti, did the whole dive as a
foursome.

   Had a fun dive in my playful mode, John got to try out another similar
version of a DPV, the Baldwin.  It shook him off once, second time he got a
decent ride at cruising speed.

   Lots of USF, and a spotted eel head, so a great dive.

   Inner Space had a nice 6 pack, the Captain did a fine job, and we had
sufficient room with all 6 spaces occupied.  Only downfall was no water
cooler with ice water, only a jug of drinking water in an ice chest sans
ice.

   On the way back to Dan's place, John and I made a provisions stop at
Publix.  Dan had a gas grill at his place, unused so far, I checked and
assured him there was enough fuel to risk cooking a home meal.  We selected
several nice steer slices, a package of salmon steaks, John's recommendation
for seasoning, some easy sides to round out the meal, and enough beer to
last Curtis about a year.   ;-)  Guess it went well enough, most was
devoured.

   Spent a nice social evening, viewing some pics, and maybe even making
some of y'all's ears burn.  ;-)

   Morning came too quickly, I was a bit more prepared than the morning
before at least.  Tried to talk Dan & Patti into one final breakfast, but
understandably they were wanting to have plenty of time to catch their
flight.

   We arrived at Tilden's early to discover I was at the wrong shop, we
were scheduled out of the Duck Key operation.  So, got to be fashionably
late again after a twelve mile run east.

   Good sized boat, maybe set for 24, less than half full, plenty of room.
And the boat had modern features, ice being the first noted.  On the run out
to the Thunderbolt, the briefing indicated we had a guided dive ahead of us.
OK, that seems to be the norm......

   While setting up my rig, explained to the DM what my intentions were,
use doubles with stage first dive, burn the stage & switch to back gas, then
just the doubles on the second dive.  Got a very understanding look and nod
of approval, he mentioned he figured I knew what I was doing.  Knew the
doubles alone wouldn't be enough for 2 dives with the first one deep.  As it
turned out, it might have been, but close.  I prefer not close.

   When on the line waiting for the group to bunch up, the DM discretely
informed John and I that we could enjoy a little more "freedom" on the dive,
so we went ahead of the group down to the wreck.  Good sized Jewfish, saw
the shadow, John IDed it, and several large barracuda.  Did an exploratory
loop around the wreck, dropped down into the holds briefly, generally got a
good first look at the ship.  Be a fun one to do a longer visit to in the
future, if that can be somehow arranged.  Vis was acceptable, but not
exceptional.  Was our only "deep" dive, spending about 18 minutes at 110ish,
max 117ish. (my BT is calibrated in FFW, so conversions)

   Dive two was another shallow reef, a ledge, John & I off by ourselves.
We bumped around for about 40 minutes, then John guided us back towards the
boat.  Saw about 6 good-sized lobster, and many USF, so was once again a
good dive, despite poor visibility.  The fish I tended to notice I could
identify as ones common in marine aquariums, so much more attractive in
their true environment.

   Tilden's got my vote as best of the three we used, had Gatorade as well
as ice water, some snacks, about par with Hall's at this point.  Tipping the
scales was they had real showers back at the shop.  Very nice
touch to be able to get cleaned up before a 6 hour drive home.

   As we were on a slightly earlier schedule leaving the Keys, my wife's
car had broken down on Friday (timing?) and I needed to take her to work on
Monday, John arraigned to visit his friend in Titusville Sunday night rather
than sleep at the airport.  That bought me about an extra hour.  Gave Lee a
call, left a message, to see if we could meet on the way home.  Lee called
back later, just in time for us to slightly alter course and meet up for
dinner in Davie.  Another schedule falling into place quite well.

   Summary, had a great road trip with John, all three shops were good
enough to return to.  Diving wasn't perfect, but much better than a good day
at work, and the company was.  Patti & Dan, and Arnold, added to the have
met & dove with list,
all very worthwhile getting to meet.  Dinner with Jayna & Lee always icing
on the cake.

Curtis