Long Point, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
(aka The Old Marineland)

Solo Diving

In With: 3200 psi
Out With: 1400 psi
Max depth: 40 feet
Waves: 1-2 foot ankle breakers
Visibility: 10-15 feet
Water Temperature: I would say “cool,” but after girlfriend Jane wanted to go swimming, I asked one of the Divevets – 64 degrees Fahrenheit on the surface, 54 degrees Fahrenheit underwater.
Total Bottom Time: I guess about 35 to 40 minutes.

I brought my girlfriend Jane and Ed to Long Point.

My brother Paul, Nick and my father would come later for a barbecue.

This is such a fun place to hang out that I invited some friends and family for a barbecue here.

Ed and I geared up.

I was going SCUBA, Ed was free diving.

I forgot to tell Jane that there’s no toilet facilities here, so I had to drive her to Cardiac Hill to use the toilet.

I entered off the cove probably around 9:30 AM, maybe 9 AM.

I still don’t have a watch – mine broke several dives ago.

Jane stayed on the rocks getting a suntan.

I submerged about 70 yards outside of the cove and went East.

I swam along the bottom which, at that spot, resembled the sandy bottom at Redondo Beach – all sand with sporadic sea life.

I then came across a reef in 30 feet of water – a reef that did not look familiar.

I headed back a little early; I had the barbecue party on my mind.

I almost ran into two divers heading to “120 reef” on the way back; 120 degrees is the compass heading from the cove.

I made it ashore with no problems and posed for several pictures that Jane took.

I emerge after my dive.

Reverend Al and Bob from the Divevets exited shortly after me.

My brother Paul and Ed had some beer to offer before the party started.

Let the party begin!

Shish-ka-bob and chicken make a gourmet meal!

…especially with such an experienced cook.

Ed, Paul, Jane, Me and Nick.

I mailed my Dad some of these pictures with the following comment:

“As with any publicly accesible place where you can pursue “dangerous” pastimes and party uncontrollably, it will only be a matter of time before this place too will come to an end…”

I hope not for a long time. What a great day!

Another day trip up to the Kern River for some rafting!

This trip was structured and run just like our last trip from last month, but with a new batch of people from John’s work.

We took Joseph’s $300 van up to the river and back.

John told us about the last trip to the Kern he had; that trip I was not able to make:

It was John, Joseph and three or four rafting newbies – from where I don’t know.

But anyway, apparently this new batch of rafters let John and Joseph do all the work.

One guy was apparently so nervous he prayed before and after his turn down the river and ended up locking the keys in the chase vehicle.

I’m glad I missed that trip!

This trip was great!

The group from John’s work numbered, I would say, about ten people.

Instructor Ed came along with us, too.

While we were taking turns making the run down the section of river, John’s coworkers were barbecuing a gourmet Mexican meal – carne asada, chicken, tortillas.

Joseph and I took turns driving the chase vehicle to the launching trail and back down river to our picnic area.

I lost track, but I think we maybe made close to ten runs down the river; I made at least four of them.

At the end of the day, we packed up and took some group shots…

Ed and I were warned about Joseph’s $300 van; the fact that the thing doesn’t have air conditioning didn’t bother anybody since we’re all macho.

However, it wasn’t explained to me that when the headlights are turned on, the seat belt buzzer constantly rings.

Joseph blames it on a short circuit that he can’t find; but that’s what we listened to after dark, all the way back – beep, beep, beep, beep…