Late September Dive at Gilboa Quarry

I thought I was done with the diving season up north here, but it was a beautiful weekend forcast and a friend called me about diving, so I went. I am glad that I did. Not only was the weather perfect, but the water was still warm.

This picture was taken at thirty feet with the sun shining down on me through some overhanging trees.

Our Wedding Photographer

Nick and Marlene Coury are our good friends and Nick is a professional photographer. We look forward to them doing a beautiful job with our wedding pictures.

Pastor Mark and Sherry

Today was a day of mixed feelings. Pastor Mark has been Senior Pastor for 19 years and God has called him to Pastor at Northwest Baptist Church in Hilliard, Ohio. We said good by to our friends and pray that God continues to bless their ministry mightily.

We have the Wedding Place and Date Set

The Wedding Day will be June 21, 2008. The Place will be the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

The Firestone Country Club

Here is the main entrance


Here is the reception room


The Golf Course

One of the Villas to stay in at the end of The Day

Along the Walls of the Firestone Country Club

Are portraits of the famous that have golfed there

Our Family's History

On my Grandmother's side. These are our relatives, taken in England, in a very very old, around 1930, and rare photo.

Interesting, the second young boy on the bottom from the left is Warren Mitchell, the British actor. He starred in the BBC show Til Death Do Us Part as Alf. This show's concept was imported to America and became All in the Family. Alf was the English version of Archie Bunker.

For the full size photo, click here. For a bigger version click on the picture.

Dave, Hillary, and Richard

I went to Pittsburgh on Saturday to visit my brother and my parents. Here is my brother and his family.

After Wedding Gown Shopping

Ryan stopped by the house to visit. She is so happy and excited. We are so proud and happy for our beautiful daughter.

How Exciting

Ryan and Elaine went to the Bridal Shop in downtown Dover so Ryan can try on wedding dresses. They are very happy.

Fort Lauderdale Eel Reef Dive

This is from my Fort Lauderdale reef drive from late June. The reef was absolutely beautiful and the reel life was beyond description. My dive buddy found the big green moray eel hiding in this crevice. Later, on board the boat, my dive buddy said that it looked like it was eight to ten feet, but I thought is was more like six to eight feet.

Either way, I hovered over top of it and kept thinking, "just stay there, don't come out here."

Weddings, Rings, and Things

Elaine combined the diamonds from our wedding ring and her mother's diamond ring into one ring. This is the most beautiful ring that I have ever seen. Elaine said that she will be wearing this to Ryan's wedding and it will be a reminder that her parents are there in spirit, too.

Praying Mantis

Found this while doing yardwork yesterday.

No Diving for Marshall

Not for awhile. I went to the doctor and I have an inflamed eustachian tube. Have to wait until it clears up.

Re-Certified in CPR

I went to the Red Cross last evening and got re-certified in CPR, which is a good thing to know.

Labor Day 2007

Aaron Goes to Ohio University

Saturday, I took Aaron to Ohio University to start his sophomore year. Here is his dormitory, Wray House.

Aaron's Dorm Room

Here is the cubby hole leading back to Aaron's room

Here is Aaron's room


Desk and chair, typical dorm room


Of course, the bed, air conditioning, microwave, and fridge


And, here he is all moved in, just like home.


Just kidding, of course.

Alice Wishes Us Congratulations

Before she left for Ohio University.

Wonderful News

Ryan and Brian got engaged in Akron on Friday. Brian took her to a restaurant and had the server bring her a present. Inside was a Coach purse. Ryan said, "How nice" and Brian said, "Look inside." The ring box was in the purse. She opened the ringbox up and Brian got down on one knee to propose. Someone in the restaurant shouted, "What did she say?" and Brian said, "She said yes." At which point, everyone in the restaurant clapped and cheered.

The Happy Couple

Diving at Portage Quarry near Bowling Green

Landon and I dove at Portage Quarry Friday and Saturday. This is an old limestone quarry and there is some limestone mining equipment still in there. Someone put a mirror on the side of the scale hopper, so here is a picture of me taking a picture of me.

Elaine, Brian, and Me


On Monday, Brian came down to meet with me and asked permission to marry Ryan. Of course, I gave him my permission and blessing. We were so happy. He actually proposed to Ryan Friday night, but more details about that will be forthcoming.

Portage Quarry Diving This Weekend

Portage Quarry is south of Bowling Green. I will go there for a night
dive on Friday and several dives on Saturday.

Sigh, summer is flying by.


View Larger Map

Hurricane Dean

Hurricane Dean

Joe's Tug Dive Video

I wanted to give someone a preview of Key West as they will be going there.

Night Dive

I made my first night dive in over thirty years Saturday night at Gilboa Quarry. It was a very strange and surreal experience. You are swimming at 20 to 30 feet in pitch black water and the only things you can see are within your flashlight beam. Strangely enough, I found it very exhilerating, yet relaxing at the same time. The water temperature was 75 degrees, so we were quite cozy.

Underwater photography is different at night. I snapped a whole bunch of pictures, but only these two actually came out. I learned you have to be at arm's length or closer to get a shot or your flashpoint will be out about a yard and your further away subject will get lost in the background.



Still, beside the disappointment of my other pictures not looking good, I am so glad I did this Night Dive and hope to do another soon.

Never Know What You'll See at Gilboa

This little fellow was wandering along the bottom at 25', so I took his picture.


Update today: Lisa4516 and Ber Rabbit at the ScubaBoard Forum have posted the backstory on the Gilboa Gnome. His name is Cyril and he has been roaming in Gilboa since 2003. Click here for more information.

Ryan and her boyfriend, Brian.

Elaine and Ryan's Excellent Tampa Adventure

Last week Elaine and Ryan vacationed to the Tampa St. Petersburg area and stayed at the Trade Winds Grand Resort. Here are some of their photos.

Check Out My New Wheels

I went to Lowes and bought this Stanley oversized heavy duty
toolbox. It will be perfect for hauling and storing my
scuba diving equipment.


Nice handle, like hauling your luggage around in an airport.


Lots of room for the gear. The only thing that won't go in is the tank.


By the way, Akona and DAN sent me some nice stickers for decorating.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Week

Canton is very busy this week as the Hall of Fame festivities are on in full force. I went to the airport yesterday to pick up Elaine and Ryan as they returned from Tampa. I was wondering what sports celebrities may be flying in and I sat down next to one.

This is Gail Midyett. Her father is Bob St. Clair who played for the San Francisco 49ers in the 50s and 60s. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990. Gail was in town to be with her father and sister and take in the events. I was thrilled to meet her and I asked her what's it like to see her father on those NFL Films highlight shows.