Posted by Richard_in_Newport on January 31, 2005 at 14:10:07:
Langosta Nostra II aboard The Great Escape this past weekend was a great success, despite at least a third of the boat coming aboard with flu-like symptoms! (Divers, don't forget to stock up on Doc's Antiviral Medicine-- available at www.Virasol.net and at fine stores everywhere!)
This year the Venerable Association of Moose Brothers (VAMB) also hosted about half a boatfull from St. George, UT. These guys are a lot of fun and will most definitely be welcomed back on future trips.
The weather being somewhat inclement, the first day of the trip was spent rocking and rolling at San Nic rather than Cortes Bank-- a few bugs came up, but nothing worth shouting about.
That night we tried for Santa Barbara Island but the swells were fierce-- so, off we went to VAMB's favorite-- Catalina Frontside!
The morning of the second day saw bright skies and warm sunshine. Many bugs were brought up by The Usual Suspects at The Usual Secret Spots, and at least one computer was VERY bent out of shape! HOWEVER, the VAMB Cup contenders were once again shut out!
The third day again found us on Catalina Frontside and, on the second dive of the day, IT HAPPENED! Mike came up with a legal bug!*** Yes, there was no question that it was legal, and yours truly personally witnessed Mike ascending the swim step, bug in bag, together with his dive buddy Gerald ("Bullets") Peterson.
And so it came to pass, following the end of the last dive, Mike LaCilento was awarded The VAMB Cup-2005 for the biggest bug (indeed, the ONLY bug) taken by a VAMB member on the trip. Congratulations Mike!
A few footnotes to the trip: Bullets Peterson was unanimously acclaimed an Honorary Moose Brother, and yours truly was declared a Moose Brother Emeritus. And, next year, Langosta Nostra III will become an Invitational due to overwhelming demand for spots on the trip. T-shirts emblazoned with the VAMB logo will also be available. So, if you think you have the antlers for it, mark off next January for the Langosta Nostra III Invitational aboard our favorite, The Great Escape!
***There was some controversy surrounding Mike's bug. Some claimed it was a plastic replica, but this was dismissed as sour grapes originating from the other VAMB members. Others claimed that Bullets actually caught the bug and gave it to Mike. Mike was also heard to utter that, "It was a very HANDY lobster!" However, in the opinion of the Judges (i.e., yours truly), Mike and Bullets went down as a buddy team, bags empty, and came up as a buddy team, with a bug in Mike's bag. Mike was therefore declared the One True and Rightful Winner of the VAMB Cup-2005. Congratulations again, Mike!