OUR SCALLOP HARVEST

    On Saturday, June 7, several Senior Missionary couples headed for Homosassa, Florida to do some Scallop hunting.  It was a two hour drive for us across the state of Florida.  After arriving to our destination, we donned our swimming suits and sun screen, grabbed our gear and climbed into our boats.  With 6 couples, we needed two boats.  Ours was more of a pontoon and the other one was a motor boat.

Then we headed down the Chassahowitzka River for an hour before heading out into the Gulf of Mexico.

 The view as we road down the river was quite spectacular.  

 Vultures drying their wings after a good morning rain.

 After we arrived at our "spot" where we were to dive, we put on our snorkeling gear and jumped in.  

Sister Carbine is all ready...

You don't have to tell Elder Carbine to get in.

 The water was warm and quite clear.  It was anywhere from 5' deep to 7 feet deep.  All of us "old foggies" splashed and dove and swam and harvested all morning long.  Eugene was able to dive down to gather the scallops while some used a net on a pole.

Eugene's first dive only netted him 4 scallops.  
The longer he dove, the better he got.

At lunch time, the Captain's wife, who drove our boat, fixed us lunch... Scallops in a half shell.  BBQ'd with butter, garlic salt, lime juice and shredded cheese.  (And hot dogs for those who didn't care for scallops - like Cheryl, they made her gag!)

  After they are cleaned up and ready for cooking, they look like miniature marshmallows.  

 Sister Colson found a starfish.

There were all kinds of little critters swimming in the water.

 Captain Randy, his wife and grandson.  Owners of BWC Charters out of

Homosassa, Florida.  What a great time we had with them.

The Captains grandson was amazing   He was a real pro at harvesting the scallops - taught everyone how it was done!

Was it fun?  Absolutely!  Would he do it again?  You bet!!!

Elder and Sister Colson, Elder and Sister Carbine and Pres. and Sister Clark.

Not a bad catch at the end of the day for a bunch of beginners!  7 gallon bags full!