Tuesday was the day we all decided we were going to venture out into the Gulf of Mexico to snorkel.  We had nothing planned for that day at all, because our trip was going to be at 1:00.  We pretty much dilly dallied around most of the morning, and Larry and I hung out at the condo while Cory and Steve went to schedule the dive trip.  We were pretty excited about it...after all, the reason I had come was for boats, the Gulf, and the sun.  This was killing three birds with one stone. 

We all piled into the convertible to head out to Subtropic Dive Shop for our afternoon excursion.  When we got there, we started talking to the lady who owned the place, and the guy who originally booked our trip.  Turned out when we said we were from Altoona, PA, he knew where we were talking about. 

As we all chatted and debated on buying a few t-shirts, the lady who owned the shop looked at the log to see who we were going out with.  She stopped at our time, and said to the guy at the counter "You booked these guys with Smitty?"  Then she turned to us and said "Good Luck." 

The sense of uneasiness crept up on us rather quickly.  Smitty was already late.  The Divemaster, Shane came in.  He was a man of the Carribean if I ever saw one...shell necklace, looked like a diver...very cool.  As he took us out to the boat to get us ready while we waited for Captain Smitty, we pulled our wetsuits on, and hopped on the boat. 

Then the moment arrived.

We met Smitty.

Smitty was about 5'8, wearing sunglasses, a baseball hat, shorts, t-shirt, and bare feet.  He looked like a salty sea dog, and he was tan...This guy WAS Key West.

"So you're the guys I had to leave the bar for?  You bas***ds.  Charlie was getting ready to pour me a beer and they called me to come in here..."

Hmm...our boat captain was AT A BAR BEFORE THE TRIP!!!!

Sensing our nervousness, Shane began to give us instructions, and pretty much told us Smitty was the best captain they had.  Honestly, not feeling relieved yet...

The boat's engine roared to life, and we started out the channel to our spot on the reef.  It would take about an hour or so to get there, but it was a nice day, and there was lots to look at.  Steve and Larry perched themselves on the front of the boat, and Cory went to the top to hang out with Smitty who was telling stories of the sea.  Cory talked me into joining them. 

Smitty was driving the boat WITH HIS FEET.  Not once did his hands touch the steering wheel.  He leaned back and asked me if I liked what was playing on the radio.  When I told him I did, he said "I don't care if you don't...it's my boat."  What a nice guy.  So, he continued to tell more stories about the reef, and things he'd experienced.

Once we reached the reef, the boat stopped, and then the real fun began.