In late high school I went on an Oceanography class trip out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (can’t remember where exactly). I googled the teacher that took us there and it turns out Harold Dorr is now the President of the San Diego Oceans Foundation. This isn’t entirely a surprise since he was a crazy ocean guy when we knew him in high school.

Thinking about this trip brings back vivid and positive memories for me. Ignoring the bout of seasickness and the fear of having to pee in the water this was an amazing trip for me; it was the first time I had on the full wetsuit, mask, gear, etc. for snorkeling in the deep ocean.

Looking down into deep water through goggles is almost, in a way, like flying. You’re floating above in this carefree way over millions of moving objects below you, only everything is silent, controlled by an ever present pulse.

Three friends and I, buoyed by salt, were specks in the water. Only us three stayed out in the ocean a little longer than everyone else. The loneliness of the open water is satisfying and terrible. This huge blue mass chops and moves and is lifeless without what it carries. When in the water I really did want to sink in and become a part of it. In a way I am still searching for that feeling.

Have been thinking about the ocean and it’s a pretty big thing, and also it’s very large in addition to being huge. If you think about it (and I have been thinking about it) the ocean is down right frightening. So I’ve been looking into getting a sweet dive helmet. Yeah. Photos after the jump. Sketches to come.