Weekend in the Water

The weekend was so busy there was no time to write any posts here, so I'll play catch up.

Pat arrived late Friday night, we got up early Saturday morning and got to the dive shop shortly after they opened. Rented a few pieces of gear, drove out to China Creek, boiled under the sun as we put our gear on, then dropped down and explored a small tug boat at about 40' where we saw giant Red Sea Urchins then continued to the wall where we explored down to 60'. Saw huge California Stichopus (Giant Sea Cucumber), a pale yellowish/brown Slime/Cookie/Bat Star (not sure which), Sun Stars, Rockfish, a few Ling Cod, and then right at our turn around point we swam under a large school of Stripped Perch. We inspected the old sunken telephone booth, but what's left of it is pretty dilapidated. Of course since we had to go through Alberni to get home we HAD to stop at J 'N' L's for onion rings and an everything burger (grease fix!!!).

Late that evening we drove down to Blueback Bay (Tyee) in Nanoose and did a night dive. Phosphorous was amazing to see! Don't really remember much about the dive other than the fish being bright colours due to the flashlights. To be honest, I was too busy trying to stay calm, and attempting to enjoy the swim so it wouldn't be ruined for Pat by me freaking out at the immense vastness of dark nothingness.

Sunday morning we slept in (or at least I did) then made a mid morning dive back at Tyee. The SDI and PADI groups were doing their open water classes, but we got in just as they were getting most of their gear down to the shore, and I THINK we were out before they even got their first dive of the day in.

At about 20' following the chute down, I found a very small animal that I can't seem to find anywhere in the internet, so have no idea what it is called. It was about half an inch long, same in width, and swam with a flying motion somewhat a mix between a stingray and butterfly.

We followed the chute down over the Eel Grass to the rocking horses, then turned down along the wall at 60'. Spent some time cruising around exploring all the different fish and sea life in the crevasses and under the kelp along the wall until I started to feel the chill of the deep water in my wet suit, so we worked our way back along the wall at a shallower depth.

Passing back over the chute heading to the west wall we passed a Red Crab moseying slowly along. There were many Grey Brittle Stars but they all went jumping and scrambling out of his way. His lumbering presence did not seem to disturb the Frilled Anemone stationed in his path though.

On our way back toward the beach we skirted around the Eel Grass bed and found Anemones, Crabs, and a beautiful Alabaster Dirona.

Back home the family was heading off to the lake so I joined them with my fins, mask and snorkel so Zander and I could go exploring out by the islands. Over all was an amazing weekend!