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2006: July 6-9...Texas Flower Gardens


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#31 Seahuntress

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 12:52 PM

FYI..I live by Bush Intercontinental and will be glad to pick anyone up that needs it..don't know my exact plans ( drive down night before..morning of.) but I have time..

We are due at the boat at 8:00 pm, so there's no reason to get there the night before or the morning of. Last year people were arriving between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Except Mitch, who came and went and came back again so fast, I don't know when he got there!


I may try to go on this trip as I typically do the Gardens a couple of times a year. July/Aug/Sep is definitely the time to do it. Deciding between this and Holbox/Coz right now.

Regardless of my decision, anyone who does get down early and wants to chill on the Galveston Beach and use my house as a place to shower/change/drink/bbq etc is welcome. I live on the far west end of Galveston and it only takes 15-20 minutes to drive there from my house. We could make it an unofficial SD Happy Hour spot.


....for what's it worth, I just got back from Cozumel 2/10 - 2/13/06, and so far I just haven't had the heart to do a trip report just yet, suffice it to say Cozumel has been NUKED and transformed into an underwater wasteland.....I don't anticipate a recovery for decades, if not centuries, and that's not considering the ongoing environmental pressures of mankind and global-warming on any possible reef recovery.........although I know SD.com just did a New Year's trip there for a week and it's participant's may offer their own perspective on things.

I've done 3 FG/Stetson trips so far, and the pristine, healthy nature of the reefs/fish/big animals is WAY better than Cozumel (I've done 4 weekend trips to Cozumel over 2 1/2 yrs, so I'm somewhat familiar with what Cozumel is/was before Wilma/Emily)

...Cozumel shocked me so much I'm replacing it with FG/Stetson for my 'value' priced trips and have penciled in 2 July/ 1 Aug / and 1 Sept trip out there this summer....for us Texans within driving distance, it's quite a blue-water-diving bargain.

Holbox sounds unique, although it's not for me, as 4 snorkel dives, even with Whalesharks, doesn't compute value-wise....and I will take my chances maybe scuba-diving with Whalesharks at Flower Gardens as I did Labor Day weekend '03

...it's not my intention to bad-mouth any SD.com trip destination, I volunteer my observations to anyone here 'torn' between selecting the Flower Gardens July trip versus the July Cozumel trip in the hopes I can help some of you make a well-informed decision, and avoid an expensive/frustrating mistake.

Karl


Hello Karl,

Its your friend Carla, I know you're going on this trip with me...it wouldn't be the same. Remember how much fun we had last time. The current was bad on the night dive, and I picked on you about the sharks, ya know bumping into a shark. That was some wild surge back and forth motion. Hope you are doing well.
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#32 WreckWench

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 01:19 PM

Hey everyone...KEEP CARLA aka SeaHuntress in your thoughts and prayers so she gets a clean bill of health and can join us on this trip! :diver:

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
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Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
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#33 WreckWench

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 01:25 PM

To Karl's point....pretty much any trip that SD does is great! Or I'd like to think so! :diver:

However they are different...and FG is certainly one of the most unique and vibrant marine enviroments around.

Yes Cozumel was hit hard. The reefs are totally different...most of the damage at deeper depths were the loss of all the sponges. And we dove just about everything in Jan as we averaged 3 boat dives a day with some days doing 4 dives and we stayed a week and never repeated a site so we covered some serious Cozumel Dive Sites.

So here was the consensus from people on the trip:

A. Those who had been there before said: "Its totally different from what it was...more animals out and around...no sponges...many of the shallow reefs still covered with sand as well as parts of all the reefs having had some 'sand blasting' going on. Top side is rebuilding rapidly and will be fine in a few months...in fact better than new.

B. Those who have NEVER been there before: "I don't know what it looked like before but it is very pretty. It is as good or better than other places I've been in the Caribbean."

So there you have it...the diving is still good compared to other parts of the Caribbean...but certainly not what Cozy was before the storm.

Choices Choices Choices!!!!

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#34 finley

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 01:44 PM

Regardless of my decision, anyone who does get down early and wants to chill on the Galveston Beach and use my house as a place to shower/change/drink/bbq etc is welcome. I live on the far west end of Galveston and it only takes 15-20 minutes to drive there from my house. We could make it an unofficial SD Happy Hour spot.



sounds good

Edited by annasea, 22 February 2006 - 01:51 PM.

who's leading this parade anyway?

#35 WreckWench

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 03:00 PM

Regardless of my decision, anyone who does get down early and wants to chill on the Galveston Beach and use my house as a place to shower/change/drink/bbq etc is welcome. I live on the far west end of Galveston and it only takes 15-20 minutes to drive there from my house. We could make it an unofficial SD Happy Hour spot.



sounds good



I agree with Finley....thank you very much for the graciouos offer! I'm sure we'll take you up on it! In fact I'm flying directly from NC to Houston and may need a pick up from the airport myself! I think Kimmie is getting me...that is if I behave!! :diver:

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#36 mantarraya

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 03:07 PM

Okay, I am onboard for this trip...add me to the check is in the mail list ( it is literally in the mail, as I just dropped it in the box).

Can help with rides, esp for those arriving at Hobby. As mentioned earlier, anyone getting in early is welcome to congregate at my house in Galveston for a pre-FGB SD beach day/beer bust/bbq/whatever.
Back after a long absence - whew, too busy at work!

#37 finGrabber

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 03:21 PM

Okay, I am onboard for this trip...add me to the check is in the mail list ( it is literally in the mail, as I just dropped it in the box).

Can help with rides, esp for those arriving at Hobby. As mentioned earlier, anyone getting in early is welcome to congregate at my house in Galveston for a pre-FGB SD beach day/beer bust/bbq/whatever.


Excellent!! we have you on the "checks in the mail" list

#38 finGrabber

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 03:22 PM

Regardless of my decision, anyone who does get down early and wants to chill on the Galveston Beach and use my house as a place to shower/change/drink/bbq etc is welcome. I live on the far west end of Galveston and it only takes 15-20 minutes to drive there from my house. We could make it an unofficial SD Happy Hour spot.



sounds good



I agree with Finley....thank you very much for the graciouos offer! I'm sure we'll take you up on it! In fact I'm flying directly from NC to Houston and may need a pick up from the airport myself! I think Kimmie is getting me...that is if I behave!! :diver:


Now Wenchie, I have yet to actually kick you out of the car! And yes, I'm planning to pick you up :twist:
at the airport, that is!

#39 Seahuntress

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 03:52 PM

Hey everyone...KEEP CARLA aka SeaHuntress in your thoughts and prayers so she gets a clean bill of health and can join us on this trip! :diver:



Thanks Kamala...I'm keeping positive thoughts, and will be inviting everyone I know.
The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.

Norman Vincent Peale

#40 WreckWench

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Posted 22 February 2006 - 03:56 PM

Hey everyone...KEEP CARLA aka SeaHuntress in your thoughts and prayers so she gets a clean bill of health and can join us on this trip! :diver:



Thanks Kamala...I'm keeping positive thoughts, and will be inviting everyone I know.



Girl I know you'll be there...in fact I think I'll dedicate this entire trip to you naming it the CARLA RECOVERY TRIP!!! We'll have to come up with something catchy but I'm sure this group can certainly do it!!

I just know you will be strong enough to beat this...as others have said...you are the strongest woman they know...and I have to agree!!! -ww
:twist:

Contact me directly at Kamala@SingleDivers.com for your private or group travel needs or 864-557-6079 AND don't miss SD's 2018-2021 Trips! ....here! Most are once in a lifetime opportunities...don't miss the chance to go!!
SD LEGACY/OLD/MANUAL Forms & Documents.... here !

Click here TO PAY for Merchandise, Membership, or Travel
"Imitation is the sincerest flattery." - Gandhi
"Imitation is proof that originality is rare." - ScubaHawk
SingleDivers.com...often imitated...never duplicated!

Kamala Shadduck c/o SingleDivers.com LLC
2234 North Federal Hwy, #1010 Boca Raton, FL 33431
formerly...
710 Dive Buddy Lane; Salem, SC 29676
864-557-6079 tel/celfone/office or tollfree fax 888-480-0906

#41 Seahuntress

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Posted 23 February 2006 - 12:05 PM

Hey everyone...KEEP CARLA aka SeaHuntress in your thoughts and prayers so she gets a clean bill of health and can join us on this trip! :wavey:



Thanks Kamala...I'm keeping positive thoughts, and will be inviting everyone I know.



Girl I know you'll be there...in fact I think I'll dedicate this entire trip to you naming it the CARLA RECOVERY TRIP!!! We'll have to come up with something catchy but I'm sure this group can certainly do it!!

I just know you will be strong enough to beat this...as others have said...you are the strongest woman they know...and I have to agree!!! -ww
:-D


OH KAMALA I HAVE THE BIGGEST SMILE ON MY FACE :lmao: I WAS JUST TELLING FINGRABBER SOMETHING THAT IS VERY TRUE..." God doesn't give you anthing you can't handle" I don't know how, but I have kept my spirits up thru it all. I have not cried...well one time, when I had to go buy bags for $200.00. I am so strong. Things just roll off of me....But now I'm ready to Roll off in the Gulf of Mexico...LOL LOL

At least is was not cancer, and life goes on...... I appreciate things more. The good people that God has brought into my life. Enjoy every minute of your life. Sometimes bad things happen, and sometimes there are bad people in our life. But, we learn something from it. And people learn from us. Life is tough... and its a Dance you Learn as you go................
The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.

Norman Vincent Peale

#42 mantarraya

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Posted 23 February 2006 - 08:10 PM

I am going to want to do nitrox. I sent the 1/2 deposit in my first check. Is it okay to add in my $90 nitrox charge in the last payment?
Back after a long absence - whew, too busy at work!

#43 mantarraya

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Posted 23 February 2006 - 08:11 PM

Hey everyone...KEEP CARLA aka SeaHuntress in your thoughts and prayers so she gets a clean bill of health and can join us on this trip! :D



Thanks Kamala...I'm keeping positive thoughts, and will be inviting everyone I know.


Carla, we need you, and hope your health is such that you can come on this trip and to the pre-trip bash at my house!
Back after a long absence - whew, too busy at work!

#44 finGrabber

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Posted 23 February 2006 - 08:25 PM

I am going to want to do nitrox. I sent the 1/2 deposit in my first check. Is it okay to add in my $90 nitrox charge in the last payment?


Yes it is OK to do that!

I'll add nitrox to your request now

Kim

#45 Seahuntress

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Posted 24 February 2006 - 10:28 AM

Hey everyone...KEEP CARLA aka SeaHuntress in your thoughts and prayers so she gets a clean bill of health and can join us on this trip! :wakawaka:



Thanks Kamala...I'm keeping positive thoughts, and will be inviting everyone I know.


Carla, we need you, and hope your health is such that you can come on this trip and to the pre-trip bash at my house!



Oh wonderful...I'm looking forward to meeting you. We'll have a great time....keep in touch
The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results.

Norman Vincent Peale




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