Im a CA native living in FL now, I love the tropical fish and corals, but they just dont have the magic that the kelp forest has. I do miss the kelp.

Been diving for 3 years. Started as part of the Aquarium Science degree program, and just kept on diving and getting certifications~!

Been diving in cold water for 9 years. Certified in Oregon. Dived all up and down the west coast waters from the Catalina Islands to Port Hardy B.C. Even though I live in and LOVE diving in FL, There nothing like diving in the Pacific Northwest. Especially when there's Deep Dark Wreck or Giant Pacific Octopus involved :oP

Very cool Pat! Make sure you dive Clear Lake at least once. Very unique dive... The Newport Fingers is a pretty cool and diverse shore dive. I haven't had a chance to dive Port Orford, but my wife says it rivals most Hood Canal diving with tons of invertabrates and ling cod, rock fish, etc...