Ladies Diving Alone

Before our first dive experience to Mayday and The Comet, in November Tracy and I had been anxious to get started with our diving, but were having difficulty scheduling a night that worked for all four of us.  So just before Thanksgiving when the boys were having a guy’s night we ventured out on our own for the first unofficial dive. We were headed to Christkindlmarkt at Germania.  During the summer we had spotted a bar called The Banklick on Bank Road near Kemper.  It was early in the evening and we were ready for an adventure. 

Tracy decided to leave her scarf in the car since from the outside The Banklick did not appear to be a scarf type of place.  Unfortunately since it was early The Banklick was not crowded and us newcomers were noticed immediately by the regulars at the bar.  Undaunted we ordered our beers and sat at a high top along the edge of the room.  It was a challenge to appear casual, deep in conversation and to try to check the place out while at the same time being watched closely by the regulars  We were sure that they thought we were undercover for the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms  Well if we were undercover agents we weren’t doing a good job being inconspicuous. 

We would both describe The Banklick in one word – smoky!  How quickly we had forgotten the smoky bar and bowling alley days?  But yes, the place was wall to wall smoke.  It had a relatively long bar and several high top tables along the wall and small dance floor.  From the large American flag and motorcycle motif we guessed it was popular during the summer months with the bikers.  There was back patio but appeared off limits at that time.  It was a relief to leave and breathe fresh air.

After The Banklick we enjoyed walking around Germania with their winter drinks and German beer.  We had not eaten yet and the food lines were a bit long.  Feeling impatient and still adventurous we headed to the Cancun Restaurant on

Hamilton Avenue

.  Since there are several of them in town, the Cancun probably does not qualify as a dive.  But it was close, neither of us had been there before and we were hungry.  Tracy and I enjoyed our visit, from what we both remember.  The Cancun’s margaritas are hand mixed and apparently quite potent.  We each just had one and they pretty much kicked our ass. 

The first evening of Ladies Only Diving was a success.