Sam managed to squeeze in 2 dives this summer. The first one, Alex actually had to take him because both Mom and Dad had to work that day. Unfortunately the visibility was only about 15′ because there was a storm off the coast and it was a little choppy, but it was good for Sam to get back in the water.
The second dive was at Mystery Lake, a quarry in the Raleigh area, and he had a pretty good time. He took 2 trips down, about 1 1/2 hours and got some good practice in without having to worry about the waves or the conditions. The positives is that visibility is always very good and those dives never get cancelled – unless of course it’s lightning. On the down side, it doesn’t count as an open water dive which is what Sam really needs.
Sam did actually try to go out on a 3rd dive late in the summer and was actually almost half way out to the dive location, but a storm had popped up and the waves were too much along with hail and some bad thunder so they ended up cancelling the dive and bringing everyone back to shore. Next year, we really have to get some more dives in, hopefully the weather will cooperate. Sam is also planning to take a welding class this fall in preparation for going off to Diving school in Seattle after he graduates. We hope to visit the school next summer, just to make sure this is what he wants to do for a career. We’ll keep you updated along the way.
The Payne Chronicles 