I headed over to Route 11 to train Anderson and Ria to level 24. We also caught Baku the Drowzee. I knew they wouldn't do that well on the SS Anne. The others were fine, though. They enjoyed the bored trainers and their Pokemon, while I wondered how Nugget could use Dig on a ship.
But Nugget still had perfected his Dig, and we went into the Vermilion Gym to battle Lt. Surge. Nugget solo'd the Gym, using Dig and Hyper Fang to take down the opponent. It might have been a little easier if I had also caught a Diglett in Diglett's Cave, but those things are fragile and my Pokemon are a little too strong.
With Cut in hand, Driffs took down the bush blocking us from Route 9. It was an easy route to get through, since my team has some decent coverage.
I really hope this good luck lasts.
Team:
Driffs the Weepinbell - level 26
-Vine Whip
-Growth
-Cut
-Stun Spore
Compbug the Butterfree - level 25
-Sleep Powder
-String Shot
-Confusion
-Poison Powder
Jacques the Pidgeotto - level 25
-Gust
-Sand-Attack
-Quick Attack
-Whirlwind
Anderson the Charmeleon - level 25
-Scratch
-Rage
-Ember
-Leer
Nugget the Raticate - level 26
-Bubblebeam
-Dig
-Quick Attack
-Hyper Fang
Ria the Nidorina - level 24
-Tackle
-Growl
-Scratch
-Thunderbolt
Some day soon they'll have better attacks.