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The water was 68 degrees, but the weather outside was 90+, so it was very nice to get in the water. On the first dive of the day, we did a skills review (mask clearing, losing regulator, etc), then we went into a diving bell. They have a rectangular tank underwater that holds trapped air. You release a little air into the tank, then you can pop your head into the air pocket. My dive partner (Jennifer) and I got in there, and we were able to talk at 25 feet. :) We then went swimming around, looking at the fish and a couple of cave entrances.

The second dive started with us going down to the entrance to a large cave. At the entrance, they have a sign that has a picture of the grim reaper standing on the top of a bunch of dead divers. It gives warnings that diving in caves requires special skills and that if you don't have those skills, you will die, and a couple dozen divers die every year. Pretty cool sign (see picture). While we were down there, the instructor pointed her light at the ground. I thought that she was pointing out the silt that my dive buddy was kicking up (she was trying to point out the eel). Then right in front of my face was an eel (see picture). I pulled back, and the eel swam away. My buddy said that the eel then went down and swam around my leg, then he stopped right in front of my mask. He had to be within an inch. I was staring at him, he was staring at me for a minute or two, then he swam off. Pretty damn cool. :)

After the cave, we practiced our out of air buddy breathing and ascent skills. The instructor taught it a little bit different, and I think I like her way better. After we did that, she went to help with the open water class and Jennifer and I went off swimming on our own. Saw another eel, a couple schools of fish (both small and large) and just swam around. Definately a cool dive.

The second day, we went down to Pensacola beach . We drove out on this long jetty, on the left side was the Gulf of Mexico (with 4' high surf) and on the right was pensacola bay, nice and calm. :) We did two dives there. They have two small rock jetties out into the bay, and in between them is a bunch of junk like a jeep axle, an old pipe organ, a whole bunch of tires and other stuff.

It was pretty cool, I was just swimming along and then right in front of me was a school of either Sergeant Majors (LEFT) or Banded Butterfly fish (RIGHT) I think they were Sergeant Majors. It took up almost my entire field of vision, and was a very impressive array of fish. :) I also saw a longer fish (approx. 3 feet) sitting inside of an old tire. Other than the sunburn I got, I had a great time. I'll definately have to do it again soon. :)

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