Step Into Your Journey

Cozumel: Day 6
Not sure I’ve shared how exhausting diving can be. For me any way. Start with an early rise. Add simply being in the sun. Add breathing air from a tank for 70 minutes, not once but twice. Add just the physicality of getting in and out of a boat, dealing with heavy equipment, etc. Not complaining, I love it and wouldn’t change a thing….. well…. I have conceded to removing my BCD and tank in the water to save stress on my ankle hauling the weight out of the water up a boat ladder. I point this out because historically I sit out the 6th day of diving because I am tired and my bodies ability to maintain a warm core temperature is generally shot by the end of day 5….., aka….. I am uncontrollably cold. Again…. Not complaining, just stating facts. I actually take a full length scuba parka with me to sunny Cozumel to warm up after dives. You make adjustments to continue doing what you love

Anyway… Today was day 6. Struggling with FOMO I hit the water. First dive, I saw turtles and squid. Second dive, I saw the largest and oldest loggerhead turtle imaginable. This big boy came into view 40 minutes into the last dive. It was an easy call. That was an excellent bookend to the trip, so I tapped out and sought the warmth of my parka on the boat. No regrets…. Just a happy girl

Our last night ended with an island tour by Geiser, and a super special family dinner with Geiser, his wife and his daughter. What an amazing day

I’m sad to leave, but more adventures await and I know I will see my dive fam again soon

Today was pretty special. While sitting at 116 feet below the ocean surface, staring into the dark abyss of the “what’s out there realm,” a hammerhead shark swam by. What?! That’s a first for me. While she was at least 50 feet below me, I could tell she was huge and I was in awe of her magnitude. Once again, I was reminded of just how small I am in this vast universe.

We did some deep water swim thrus, saw some magnificent coral formations, joined large schools of fish and simply enjoyed being in the moment

Peace

Cozumel: Day 3
I remember so many years ago when I came here for the very first time solo. I was nervous, skeptical and untrusting. I took a cab to my resort and didn’t leave the compound until it was time to return home. My, how I have evolved. I enjoy the small local eateries, try as best I can to speak the language, and enjoy observing local behaviors and traditions. At the end of the day, we are all just trying to get by.

Scuba Geiser looks after us, and being on the boat with him and the crew feels like family. Today, we had some amazing encounters with a ray and a loggerhead turtle, and the barracudas were representing. My little trio all manage our air well, so we are under water for an hour or more two dives a day. Today we hit Palancar Caves, an all time favorites, and I maxed out at 98 feet. “Flying” into the great abyss is tranquil, calming and at times silent. Otherwordly almost.

Peace. Joy. Grounded

Feels good to be back in Cozumel. Been coming long enough it feels a bit like home away from home. Our house is off the beaten path, and we find ourselves dining among the locals in the Mom and Pop shops. It’s sunny, it’s hot and my heart is full

We took our first dives “easy,” going 67 and 66ft, respectively, for just over an hour each. Aside from the spectacular aqua life, diving brings clarity for me as more and more everything goes quiet when I am underwater.

The highlight was coming face to face with a giant, likely very old, loggerhead turtle. We locked eyes and had a moment. As if he was assuring me, “everything’s gonna be alright.” Sadly, my camera was dead so I have embedded that memory in my brain. I’ve never seen a loggerhead. It was spectacular

Live life, my friends

Yosemite weekend morning update: Huge reminder to check your gear before heading out. Despite my experience, I got complacent, and didn’t. Could have been a huge mistake had I been backpacking. Yes, we all make mistakes. We learn and move on. Absolutely a beautiful day to have a beautiful day