Author Archives: Chris Gregory

USS Vandenberg Wreck Dive

Posted on by under Uncategorized

Mark Hendry and I spent Thanksgiving this year on the Vandenberg in Key West Fl.  Mark does a great job with the video.  My GoPro camera didn’t do so well underwater.  Too much particulate floating around causing focus issues.  At one time I noticed the GoPro floating past me while on the Deco line…good thing I had a tether =)

It had been a while since we have done a technical dive so this was a very light deco dive with max depth at 140 fsw.  The Vandenburg actually has a nice profile.  You can descend down to 130′ and spend about 10 minutes swimming through the wreck and then ascend to 100′ and spend 15 minutes along the side railing with a few rooms to explore.  There is plenty to see at the 80′ level and spending no more than 20 minutes will give you a light deco schedule of about 15 minutes.  Gas was 27/30 Trimix wich is overkill for this dive but we wanted to remember it and limit narcosis.  This is one of my favorite wreck dives now knocking off the Spiegel Grove.  It’s a bit further to travel but well worth it.

Cave Diving in Mexico

Posted on by under Diving

I’ve posted this on my facebook but it’s such a good video I thought I would add it here.

A few friends Mark, Tony, and Li  along with Paul Heinerth our friend and guide went to Costa Maya for some world class cave diving.  Needless to say the experience was once in a lifetime and a must for any serious cave diver.

I won’t recap the whole adventure however towards the end of the video you see us lowering our gear into a hole in the earth known as “The Pit”.

Paul originally explored and found going cave at about 200ft.

Hydrogen Sulfide Cloud, Cave Diving

What made this dive memorable was the fact that we listened to Ozzy’s dark side of the moon while driving to the site.  This song stuck in my head as we descended 200ft into a hydrogen sulfide cloud which you see at the end of the video and in the above picture (not my pic).  Given the fact we were on air and at 200ft which meant yours truly was narc’d out of his mind.  Ozzy’s words started playing in my head which made an already surreal dive totally over the top.

For those cave divers reading this if you ever get a chance to go to Mexico don’t miss “The Pit”

(The About article linked above was written by an open water certified diver which max depth is 130 for them.  This cave goes much deaper.  All pictures are taken from the about article.)

2006 Toyota Tundra XSP for Sale Jacksonville fl

Posted on by under Uncategorized

Very nice XSP model Tundra with only a little over 86K miles. 4.7 V8 with plenty of power and Pirelli tires. I have installed a top of the line touch screen head unit that will sync up with bluetooth to your phone and has a hands free microphone near visor. You can connect an iPhone or iPod via a cable to this unit and use the touch screen to control your playlists. I us it for Pandora and love it. I also have a rearview camera installed which works about 50% of the time – usually when you don’t need it =). Leather, A/C, and Power – Locks, doors, driver seat. You can read more about the XSP premium package through the links below. Body is in good shape with only minor scratches and dings. Rear bumper is dented where a tree jumped behind me while backing up. I had to replace the tailgate as well but left the bumper as is – hardly noticeable.

I have also installed a flip up bed cover $800.00 which is 1.5 years old and works great. With the locking tailgate you can completely secure the bed which I used extensively when camping. There is nothing at all wrong with this vehicle to the best of my knowledge. I am selling because I want something smaller as I have changed jobs and am traveling a lot more. I’ve been reluctant to sell my truck as any guy can understand but that time has come. Serious enquiries only.Kelly Blue Book value

Stolen car at Oak Harbor this weekend

Posted on by under Uncategorized

I was heading to Oak Harbor this weekend to do a bit of Kayak fishing. Normally you see some unusual sites at boat ramps but today kind of set the bar. In fact I bet the people who own the houses that back up to Oak Harbors boat ramp can tell some stories.

It appears this car, which was found floating just off the boat ramp, had been stolen the night before and dumped.  It was a nice Pontiac GTO and looked like it didn’t have a back seat.

Search and Recover Divers were on hand to hook up the car so bubba could tow it.  Of course this took a little while.

I had a nice talk with Search and Recovery Divers in regards to the certification level of their Rescue Divers.  Apparently all you need is Advanced Open Water Certification.  The also train once a month.   I’m not sure what all they do but I would expect at least a Cavern course or Intro to Cave certification but I’m sure they get the job done regardless.

It all made for a very slow time getting into the water. I missed the window right before low tide and as a result I got skunked.  At least thats my story so I’m sticking to it =)

Neptune Beach Holiday Convoy

Posted on by under Uncategorized

I was putting out my christmas lights this weekend, when all the sudden I heard Christmas Music coming from everywhere.  I thought I was being visited by Kris Kringle himself until I looked up and saw this caravan of city vehicles coming my way.  My thought process was a wash of random newspaper like clippings.  I thought of the wasted Government spending, bloated city budget and civic services being shut down due to lack of funding.  Yet here I was seeing a parade of city vehicles all dressed up for the holidays with lights blinking and music playing going up and down every street in Neptune Beach.  It was one of those moments that brought together many random thoughts into one moment of clarity.  The City was actually doing something frivolous to make it’s citizens feel good.  Put away all the hype in the media…forget about the debt crisis.  For one brief moment it was a scene from 1950 where children played in the streets, neighbors waved to one another and dogs stopped chasing cats…for that one moment everything was perfect.  In my eyes there was no money spent this year that was more important than providing this roving caravan of festive feel good.

As I returned to putting up my lights I felt as though I was making my own contribution to the collective good of the community which was stitched together by the convoy of city vehicles all dressed in garland and lights.  This Holiday Season lets all take the time to step off our soap boxes, put down our megafones and take a moment of reflection during a time that we need it the most.  Many thanks to the City of Neptune Beach for not taking themselves too seriously and spreading some Holiday Cheer.

Brown Jordan

Posted on by under Uncategorized
Brown Jordan designs have transformed the casual furnishing industry. Brown Jordan was established in 1945 by iconic designers, Robert Brown and Hubert Jordan in Pasadena, California.
Today, Brown Jordan creates stylish furniture for full-time outdoor use. These innovative designs, originally constructed of tubular aluminum and vinyl lace, was simply titled “Leisure.” This was essentially the birth of outdoor furniture and furnishings.
Brown Jordan CarmicleBrown Jordan is recognized as a distinguished legacy brand known for producing stylish and award-winning designs. Brown Jordan has built its reputation with almost 70 years as an industry leader in innovation, style and design integrity. The Brown Jordan portfolio has more than 30 collections in many styles and materials – all perfect for long term outdoor use. Brown Jordan designs create distinctive silhouettes that are machine and hand crafted to produce the highest quality furnishings and give consumers furniture that enhances traditional, as well as transitional and contemporary designs and environments.
Brown Jordan has worldwide customers and services their needs through a series of sales representatives, furniture showrooms, specialty dealers and merchandisers. Brown Jordan also provides interior and exterior casual furniture to residential, hospitality/hotel and corporate clients.
Here are a few additional facts about Brown Jordan furniture you should know:

  • Brown Jordan is widely considered the first company to manufacture furniture designed exclusively for outdoor use
  • They have won at least 17 design awards throughout it’s history
  • Brown Jordan’s original ideas were based around the thought that their furniture should resemble outdoor art – as such, many of their first furniture lines are considered vintage collectibles
  • One of it’s most iconic designs – Walter Lamb Collection – was made from pipe salvaged from sunken Pearl Harbor warships.
  • Brown Jordan pieces are identifiable by some key signature elements: heavier gauge aluminum tubing than standard brands, clean welds. These are like the identifying fingerprints for their furniture collections

When you want only the best in casual furnishings, rely on Brown Jordan.

Some additional info about Brown Jordan International:

Established: 1945

Current Location:

475 West Town Place, Suite 201
St. Augustine, FL 32092
Phone: 904-495-0717
www.bji.comContacts:
Gene Moriarty, Brown Jordan President/CEO
Vincent Tortorici, Brown Jordan Executive VP/CFO