Bottom Times: July 2026

Greetings and salutations, dear members!

As we move further into summer, I am really looking forward to the longer days that create opportunities for bigger adventures. Last week, I had the pleasure of taking a road trip down to explore Baja. Sometimes we get so caught up in work and responsibilities that we forget we live in a perfect geographical location for exploration, and exploring is something I truly enjoy.

My solo trip began with a few days in Rosarito. From there, I picked up my cousin, and we ventured south through Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, and La Bufadora. You know... a little reconnaissance for our upcoming trip. 😉I took the highway down while avoiding the recommended toll roads, stopped at little eateries along the way, and no matter where I went, the locals were genuinely happy and friendly.

The vibe was all about enjoying life. People were drinking, laughing, sharing each other's company, and simply enjoying the moment. It was very easy to make new friends. I felt like royalty to be honest, because of the kindness everyone showed me. Even though I am brown, I was not able to fool the locals..they immediately knew I was a gringo. 😁

As I traveled through Baja, I could not help but think about the potential for club adventure!!! How much fun it would be to do more exploring with the club. I found myself dreaming future adventures that I think we would all enjoy. With this gringo as your guide, I think you would have a fascinating time. There is so much potential and for relatively local adventures just south of the border.

This reminded me why I've enjoyed being President so much. What I have always enjoyed most about the position was planning and coordinating events, and the bonus was seeing all of you having a great time participating in them. There is just something about taking an idea and making it happen. I enjoyed talking to all of you about a trip at meetings, shaking hands, saying hello, answering questions, and trying to get you excited about a trip. Then I would start doing the math in my head to see if the trip was actually going to pencil out.

My magic number was always two for a local trip. Ha ha ha.. If I could get just one more eager member to commit, then it was on!. Trips abroad were a little more technical since we had to hit numbers and a lot more money was involved, but the process was still the same. From that point on, I would start making calls, sending emails, recruiting divers, and doing whatever I could to make the trip happen. Nothing was off limits... It was a challenge I welcomed. It was a lot of work, but I genuinely enjoyed it.

The best part was always seeing the trip come together and watching you enjoy it. Seeing smiles, club bonding, and watching friendships grow made the late-night emails and weekend planning worthwhile. Those are the moments I will remember most, and they are a big part of what made serving as your President such a rewarding experience.

My dear friends, See you all at Black Bear Diner this Wednesday, July 15. Join us at 6:00 PM for dinner, socializing, The meeting will begin at 6:30 PM.

As always, I am looking forward to seeing you there. Bring your friends and let us have a fascinating time.

Del Stewart

President

Channel Islands Divers