Dive #203 - Rich Torkington's Dive Log

A big Nassau grouper at a cleaning station.
Videograph by Rich Torkington in Bahamas 2005

Dive Journal: Johnny decides to sit out the next dive – he’s feeling too cold to contemplate jumping back in the water. The boat cruises just a short distance toward shore and re-anchors at a site called The Plaza.

Linda, Janel and I switch back to air for this shallower dive. We find the Plaza to be a big patchy “swim around” dive in 40’ flats. To me, the reef is a lot prettier here than at the Catacombs. We spot a very large Nassau grouper getting cleaned and lots of vibrant coral settings.

Linda and Janel get cold after about 20 minutes and signal that they’re surfacing when we swim beneath the boat. I head north and explore an interesting zone of sand patches and crevices. There are lots of hamlets (barred and indigo), blue tangs, doctorfish, schoolmasters, and yellow goatfish.

I’m definitely hypothermic when I get back onboard, with numb fingers and uncontrolled shakes. We Arizonans are just wimps about the cold. I’m perfectly fine in about 15 minutes, though.

Buffet lunch is waiting for us when we get back, served outside at the bar/patio. How idyllic to sit and fill up on great eats while gazing out at the sea under the trees. We decide to nap this afternoon instead of dive. I’m especially happy with this plan because I’m continuing to cling to my worldly stresses, although they’re starting to fade.

Just before dinner, we each grab a lodge bicycle and head out the driveway. The bikes are big heavy beach cruisers with fat tires, what else! We head up the road away from Fresh Creek and ride three or four miles. I’m scouting for birds, but don’t really see any. We come across a few shops, a gas station, and the “Taste and See” restaurant that looks plenty local and very promising.

Johnny and I decide to race on the return trip, and we’re soon pedaling like mad doing over 20 mph. Just as I am catching up with him the chain slips off my drive gear, and the pedals slam nicely into the back of my ankle. I then have to tap my shoes into the pavement flying by in order to brake, which takes a long distance. Nice bruise and some small cuts – guess I’ll live.

At dinner, we continue to meet other guests, including a really nice family from Austin, TX. Their son Patrick is 14, an avid diver, and quite conversant with all the adults – we take an immediate liking to him.