Time: 0917

Hey everyone! I missed you yesterday…. I’ve actually grown quite accustomed to writing a daily log every day, but yesterday Hepsi took a turn and I was busy with other stuff. It was AMAZING to watch the first Alvin dive yesterday. It was so dramatic. The rain was pouring out of the sky and the sea was incredibly choppy. I’m pretty glad it wasn’t me sitting in that sub bobbing around on the surface. The Alvin group runs everything so smoothly and professionally, which is what I expected, but it is still pretty amazing to watch. It is incredible how that A-frame just hoists the sub up off the deck and plops it down in the water. I shot a lot of video of it yesterday. I even spent the whole day editing it into a little film. It’s kinda hard to get it all into a short film that I can send and still give you a feel for the whole process. I decided to wait and shoot it again though when it is a nicer day out rather than send what I shot yesterday. Hopefully, I’ll get some stuff that I’m pleased with.

Today Barb Campbell and Laura Zirelli went down. It’s Laura’s first dive, so I hope she’s ready to get some water poured on her when she steps out of the sub. If it’s your first Alvin dive, you get a little "initiation" which consists of gallons of ice water — and I mean actual ice is in it — poured on you. They usually think of some other fun things to do, usually involving shaving cream, or yesterday they put some jelly-like stuff in Hugh’s shoes. Just all practical joke kind of stuff!

Now that the dives have started, the ship is no longer filled with 23 bored scientists. Since the dives get back around 1700 and then everyone rushes up to the mess for dinner, people are up late working on the samples that came up with the dive. I, however, being someone who requires sleep, am still trying to get to bed at a reasonable hour. This morning I was up at 0500 though. I think I might need a mid-morning nap. We have an Emergency Fire Drill this morning at 1030, so it will have to wait. Those are always entertaining. Everyone is in their life vests and carrying around their emergency survival suit, which basically looks like a big Gumby suit. We actually call them that, Gumby suits.

I’m excited to see what they bring up this afternoon from the dive. Yesterday’s dive was cut pretty short, so there weren’t really too many pictures. There were a couple of worms and worm tubes and a chimney or two. I’m sending some pictures of them along today for your viewing pleasure. It is a gorgeous day, so hopefully I’ll be able to sneak some time to sit up on the bow and stare at the water since I was inside all day yesterday avoiding the rain.