Thank You, Reggie, Forrest, & Wayne!

[gschaut]

I'm headed back to Buffalo, NY (Boo) today after a week of diving the caves (Yay) in Ginnie and Peacock.

I got my Intro Cert (Yay), but due to a shoulder injury I cannot wear doubles any more, and could not proceed to Apprentice (Boo). But I did start the process of converting to side mount, so I can take it to the next level (Yay). Unfortunately my "regular life" will not allow me the time to get back down here for several more months (Boo).

Anyway, in addition to the world's greatest diving, I met some of the finest people I have ever known. I can't possibly thank everyone here, but I do want to single out three people for special thanks.

My instructor, Reggie Ross, for putting up with my #$%& for four days, and for guiding me onto the path of true enlightenment (I will work hard on cleaning up that frog kick before I come back).

Forrest Wilson, for taking time out from his own busy dive schedule to lead a green, wet-behind-the-ears (or should that read "dry-behind-the-ears) rookie cave diver around on my first "non-student" cave dives. Diving with Forrest was not only fun, but extremely educational.

And Wayne (who needs no last name) for running the finest dive shop in cave country. I have to say, in traveling the dive world for 25 years, I have never seen a better place I would like to do business with than Amigo's. Thank you Wayne, for being.... Wayne.

Now back to Buffalo, where today's weather forecast is thunderstorms, tornados, plague, brimstone, cats & dogs living together...

p.s.- It's going to take quite a while for this smile to go away.

[whodunit68]

you're right, we all know Wayne's last name. But who is this Forrest?

Glad you had fun. Congrats on your Intro!

[Wendy Thurman]

Congrats! Sorry we didn't get a chance to dive together but I'll see you next time.

[underwaterjedi]

Congratulations on your cert and enthusiasm for cave diving. I had Reggie for my Cavern and Intro classes as well and he is top notch! Sounds like you were in great company.

[FW]

Nice meeting you too Gary

[WEPIV]

Gary,

It was great talking with you that one evening (Tuesday) at Amigos. I enjoyed it and look forward to you getting back down here.
And hey, where you're going the weather will at least be cooler this summer than down here and you have some great wrecks there but as I recall I think you said that you were "over them" and now into limerock.

Gene

[gschaut]

Soon as I win that $200 million powerball, I'll be moving to High Springs area for good.

[FW]

Soon as I win that $200 million powerball, I'll be moving to High Springs area for good.

If you have that kind of money, you can live anywhere, and just travel to High Springs anytime you want. Way to hot to live there, 96 degrees there last week :-(

[gschaut]

Forrest: Up here in the "great white north" a warm spring day means that you can leave the wool liners out of your mittens.

(just kidding)

But warmth and sunshine are greatly appreciated.

You know that "Jules Vern Lodge" in the Keys? I'll build my house at the 30' depth of a nice cave, and invite divers to come in and spend their deco stops in my living room.

[pink arrows]

Soon as I win that $200 million powerball, I'll be moving to High Springs area for good.

Since we met at least 8 times on your trip I am officially your closest cave-diver friend and I think you should consider using some of that $200 mil to do a few trips to the bahamas and mexico and I should probably go, too. Just a thought. Think it over.

Ps. Congrats : )

-Tracy