This picture was taken shortly after my first real diving adventure. I had dove in the ocean before. But this was the first time I had ventured out on my own. The background is sunny Monterey Bay on the Pacific coast. I was shown the finer points of ""kelp"" diving with the help of a guided shore dive tour through the friendly folks at Monterey Bay Dive Center. Looking back, the water wasn't much clearer than the quarries I dive on a regular basis here in Indiana. It was just that there was so much more to see.

I have been back several times. Each time I return, I find more and more to enjoy. I have experienced some of the most spectacular colors here off the coast of this quaint little town. Even after having seen the fish and corals of several warm, pretty sites. I think there will always be a special place for the cold waters of Monterey....