Lots of people have told me over the years that I am very intuitive, with that in mind, I knew as I dove on the Maurice Tracy back in October that it would be my last dive of 2015. I have been trying to get out each week since then but, I have finally come to the realization that my chances of getting out diving for the remainder of 2015 is decreasing rapidly. Overall I ended up making about 20 dives to wrecks such as the Rockland County, Tolten, Chappara, Cornelius Hargraves, Resor, Immaculata, Texel, Varanger, Miralfores, Max's Wreck, Northwest Barges, Carfloat, Vizcaya, and Maurice Tracy.
I am blessed to have been one of the few people to have visited some truly historic and amazing wrecks this past year. There was a time a number of years ago that I thought I would never have the opportunity to dive wrecks such as the Texel and Miraflores. I owe everyone on board the Independence II on those two dives a lot of gratitude for enabling me to dive wrecks that were at one time an impossible dream. I am so proud of myself for safely diving these wrecks! Both of these wrecks are not visited by divers often and so few have ever been on these wrecks. I will quote Gary Gentile whom told me "Due to the depth and distance from shore, the Texel is not dived very often, so you are lucky to have seen it. The wreck deserves more exploration than it receives." I would really like to dive this wreck again because I was so nervous that I truly did not get to explore much of the wreck. I believe that the lesson to be learned is to never give up on your dreams!! It may take years to get there but, it will happen if you believe in yourself and your capabilities as a diver. I think I am finally confident enough to say that after diving these two wrecks that I am a good solid diver that comes from great teachers and role models over the years.
After a year like 2015, its hard to think of how next year could possibly be any better but, I know it will be. I find so much joy even from the most mundane dive such as the Stolt or Delaware to the intense complicated dives such as the Oil Wreck. I have learned over the years that if you try to fill your days doing the things that give you joy, it will spill over into all areas of your life and bring abundance to all that you touch from your family and friends, to your career.
I intend to put together a slide show of photos from this year over the winter and I also hope to finally share my story of my dive accident that happened 2 years ago. I have had several divers asking me to share the story so that I can perhaps help another diver save their life from the lessons that I have learned as a result of it.
I wish all my dive friends a Merry Christmas!! Also, don't forget to shop and support your local dive shops through the holidays and upcoming 2016 dive season!
