June 6, 2015

I think we have ALL pretty much determined I am not a fan of Having To Get Up, but there was not enough time to lament this morning, so we headed out.  Of course, it was realized about 15 minutes out that both kids had forgotten their booklets and I was a little “hrr-umphed”, but what could I do?  So we kept on keeping on and pulled in about 10 minutes early, just as our instructor texted that she was held up in traffic.   We walked in and were quickly greeted by Major General.  Not really, but I have never felt like I was in boot camp until my first interaction with him.  His name is Mitch and he is the head trainer, I think.  

Christy soon arrived and we got going.  Since Maggie is 11, she would have had to have a private lesson so I decided it would probably be best for us all to learn together...privately.   First up in the classroom, we did some testing over the four chapters in the book then headed out the pool.  Having watched the PADI videos, I French-braided my hair like the blonde lady in the video since her braid always stayed tight and hair was out of her face.  I was duped.  My hair was all over the place and it didn’t help one damn bit.  My life-long habit of mask on the forehead when I’m not in the water is bad too, as that is a signal for distress with scuba.  We had such an amazing time in the pool, The kids took to it like a duck to water and I…I did not, but that’s ok, though I realize that had I been given an opportunity at such an early age that might be different, and it isn’t that I am doing poorly, at all.  One thing I have on my side is that I am not panicking.  More on that later.

It was time to get the rented gear and I just about keeled over.  For some silly reason, I thought it had already been included in the price I paid last week, but apparently not.  No wonder it is better to have your own gear – yeah, big chunk initially, but smooth sailing from there on out.   My car was stuffed full of garage sale stuff I had loaded in the car yesterday to bring to a sale, which never happened due to running out of time.  OF COURSE the next day I am supposed to load  12 air  cylinders in there, plus 3 BCDs, 3 regulators, 3 wet suits, fins, snorkels, masks, and over 100 pounds in weights.  

We headed to Folsom Lake and I was reminded more of Lake Havasu…it seemed like a party.  Not my style at all, I’d rather be under the water.  The water was warm but such low visibility (not surprisingly)!!  This is where my ability to not panic served me well, because, despite not being able to see 2 inches in front of my face, I kept thinking to myself, "She has been diving for 7 years, she knows what she is doing, just breathe slowly and regularly and don’t panic."  So that’s what I did.  At one point, I realized I was holding up the snorkel instead of the BCD (which helps maintain buoyancy), which was pretty funny.  I had often read about divers not being able to determine up from down and I understood why today.  Thank god Christy was there. I am also quite excited about getting swimming gear, because she has big(ger) boobs and was able to wear one just fine.  I am confident of my bikini top-boob situation now (I know many folks were quite concerned).

After the quick lake dive, we started heading back to the pool.  Suddenly, 2 State Park officers, lights blazing like crazy on their trucks, came racing out of Folsom Lake like squirrels to a nut sale. One almost hit cars, he was in such a rush to get someone or somewhere.  We ended up taking the scenic route back, through Del Paso Heights. I noticed a sofa sitting out on the sidewalk with two women just sittin’ there, talking.  It was a cool little community.  I wish I weren’t so white sometimes.  We made it back to the pool, were we did more pool work and practiced for tomorrow’s early lake dives.  After 7 o’clock and a lot of diving practice, we headed  home.  Quick stop for emergency scuba nachos (Maggie’s suggestion, not mine) and then home to reload the car the right way so we have room for tanks (hopefully).  Wish the Lizzie had her muffler…then we’d be fine.  I’ve heard about how great Monterrey diving is…maybe, just maybe the kids will love ocean diving and we will be able to find gear which will last them at least 5 years.  That’d be cool.

Pictures:  Scuba adventures at Lake Folsom, plus the tanks at Dolphin Scuba Center