I read Roger Carlson's report of seventy feet visibility yesterday just an hour before Jim Simmerman called me to let me know about similar conditions at Hawthorne Reef. We have some mechanical work to do on No Pressure this month, so Merry and I have been sticking close to home on the rare occasions we do venture out.

With gas prices skyrocketing last month, I figured I would add to the financial burden that comes with boat ownership by going to Los Angeles Harbor to fill up. At $4.98 per gallon, it was a good chunk of change, but nothing compared to the fuel docks in King Harbor and Marina del Rey. They typically charge two to three dollars more per gallon.

We decided to visit White Point Rock on the way. Our usual luck held out, as visibility was a murky twelve to fifteen feet. We found the usual critters, including five Ategema alba. We rarely find them elsewhere. We surfaced just as a fog bank passed by.

After filling up, we headed into a maelstrom between Angel's Gate and Pt. Vicente. Wind waves smashed against our bow as our wipers got a workout. After finally making it around to the west side of the peninsula, the wind subsided but by then the swells had picked up. We looked for a safe place to make a second dive but opted to come home instead. Another long day with little to show for it.

I'm looking forward to diving from the Giant Stride at Farnsworth next Saturday. I need a break from the pounding we took today.