In my last scuba-related post, I mentioned my goal to become certified as a scuba instructor. During that trip to San Carlos, Mexico, I got the second certification level I need: Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW). A few weeks later, I returned to San Carlos to complete the third certification: Rescue Diver. As I did for my Open Water and AOW certifications, I decided to do the Rescue Diver certification through my local dive shop in Tucson, Planet Scuba. They organize a trip to San Carlos at least once a month, and I love their owners and staff.
Scuba trip: San Carlos, Mexico (August 2017)
I’ve made up my mind that I want to become certified to be a scuba instructor. I’m not in a rush; I just know eventually I’d like to do this. In order to get to instructor status, I’ll need to build up my diving experience and also go through several certification levels. First up: Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW). This is one level up from the basic certification, Open Water Diver. I decided to do the certification through my local dive shop in Tucson, Planet Scuba. If you’re in southern Arizona and considering diving, I strongly recommend them!
San Carlos underwater photos (August 2017)
I took these photos on my recent trip to San Carlos (recap is here). All of these pics were taken while diving in the Sea of Cortez off the coast of San Carlos. Enjoy!
Belize underwater photos (May 2017)
I took these photos on my recent trip to Belize/Guatemala (recaps are here for the first half of the trip and here for the second half). All of these pics were taken while diving or snorkeling in various areas of the Belize Barrier Reef. Hope you like them!
Birthday Trip: Belize and Guatemala (part 2: scuba!)
Wow – it’s already been more than 2 weeks since I posted part 1 of my Belize/Guatemala trip recap! I’ve been teaching some summer session engineering courses which has kept my days full so time has flown by. I’m glad I finally found some time to finish up part 2 though. It’s been fun to reminisce!
Birthday trip: Belize and Guatemala (part 1)
A few days ago I returned home after a 10-day trip to Belize and Guatemala. I went on the trip as a 30th birthday present to myself. The trip was long enough that I’m going to split my recap into 2 parts; here’s part 1!
What’s in that hole? – Episode 15
Hello everybody and welcome to Episode 15 of What’s in that Hole?, a fun series I’m writing for my blog. In the last episode, we traveled to San Francisco’s Presidio for our holes. This time, we’re on the road again but much closer to home – I found today’s holes on my recent stop at the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which is between Tucson and Phoenix.
What’s in that hole? – Episode 13
Hello everybody and welcome to Episode 13 of What’s in that Hole?, a fun series I’m writing for my blog. In the last episode, we returned to Tucson and looked at a cactus hole. This time, we stay in Tucson but look at a few holes on a much smaller scale.
What’s in that hole? – Episode 11
Hello everybody and welcome to Episode 11 of What’s in that Hole?, a fun series I’m writing for my blog. Last time I attempted to make you (and myself) more cultured with a hole I found at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. In this episode, though, we’ll get back to nature. Today’s hole is extra special – it’s an underwater hole!
What’s in that hole? – Episode 9
Hello everybody and welcome to Episode 9 of What’s in that Hole?, a new series I’m writing for my blog. In the last episode, we found some animals that reside at a ranch near Tucson. This time, we travel to my dad’s house in Albuquerque in the hopes of finding something new and exciting!
Puffer love: the story of one fish’s epic quest
Once upon a time, there was a puffer. A poor, lonely soul, this puffer latched on to any being that so much as glanced at him, including of course photograph-taking scuba divers.
Scuba trip: Cozumel, Mexico (January 2017)
Last week, I went on an impromptu scuba trip to Cozumel, Mexico. I booked the flight (using miles!) just 5 days before I left Tucson and booked the hotel and scuba reservation 3 days before I left. I figured I’d take advantage of the extra time I have before I start teaching for the spring semester.