Hey Y'all!

[mmwal]

In grand Vortoberfest fashion, there are usually several radios out with the various games going on to cover fans from AU, LSU, and even little ole UA Its not only a weekend of diving, there's a huge feast, socializing, and all the libations you could ever want - LOL.

Okay...as long as I get a promise that I will be able to hear my game then I'm going to go ahead and put it on the calendar.

Now...I'm going to need someone to explain the lodging situation to me. I will go ahead and state for the record that I have never actually camped a day in my life so the thought of tents and all that, which is what I seem to read about when I look at stuff on Vortoberfest, is a little scary to me....

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

Some of us prefer beds. Vortex has rooms but you need to bring bed sheets and things of that nature. I usually stay at the Ponce de leon motor lodge, its clean and cheap.

 

[mmwal]

Welcome to our addiction.
I just got back from Seagrove diving the little reef there last weekend and wanted to do a couple of dives at ABW this weekend if you're interesed.

Can't go this weekend, wish I could but I will be out of town. Have a great time if you go!

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Variety of options for sleeping arrangements.

The majority of us camp, to some degree... It may not be as frightening as you imagine though. Camping for me earlier this year for Spring-SpringFest entailed sleeping in my tent, on the ground, and nearly floating away with the storms. On the other side of things Denise, and Carolyn, and others, had fullsized air matressess, along with sleeping bags, to keep them off the ground and surely very comfortable.

There are also bunk houses onsite, if a cot is more your style. Course, there is the Grandview lodge, which will require you to bring your own linens, but comes with a bed, your own personal restroom, kitchen, ect. As Kevin mentioned, there's also the Ponce De Leon motorlodge, which is your standard no frills(but clean, just refurbished) hotel rooms - only about 5 min from Vortex and cheap.

The libations typically garauntee that everyone sleeps pretty easily, despite their sleeping arrangements - LOL.

 

[denisegg]

The libations typically garauntee that everyone sleeps pretty easily, despite their sleeping arrangements - LOL.

True. I thought I was in a suite at the Ritz..

 

[mike_s]

Some of us prefer beds. Vortex has rooms but you need to bring bed sheets and things of that nature. I usually stay at the Ponce de leon motor lodge, its clean and cheap.

If you've ever been any of the Vortex "Lodge" rooms, you'd prefer to sleep on the ground in a campsite.

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

If you've ever been any of the Vortex "Lodge" rooms, you'd prefer to sleep on the ground in a campsite.

Well put Mike. Previous owners really let it run down. Grandview is really nice but I can stay at the motor lodge for under 100 bucks for a whole weekend.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Yeah, me likey the air mattress! It's self-inflateable, battery operated and is the same size as my tent so all bed! It can get a little noisy at the campsites, next time I will take my sleeping pills! Then I would have slept through that crazy storm too! After what happened to you last time Matt, I think I will be bringing you a present so you will not have any near drownings!

I really do hope you can make it MMWAL! It's a blast and I must say my smores ROCK!

Happy diving with my friends!
Carolyn:sharks:

 

[mike_s]

Well put Mike. Previous owners really let it run down. Grandview is really nice but I can stay at the motor lodge for under 100 bucks for a whole weekend.

I've never been in Grandview, but it's appeal is that it's onsite and right there. However, paying $150/night and having to bring my own sheets isn't appealing, Especially for such a small dive site that easily gets overcrowded.

the Pineview Lodge was pretty bad the last time I stayed in it (2 years ago). They had a room deodorizer that was hanging up to remove the mildew smell in the room. It smelled like the blue chemicals they use to santitize chemical port-a-toliets. I mean I've used port-a-toliets that smelled better than this room did. All my clean clothes in my bag even smelled like that the next day and also when I got home. I had to wash everything twice to get rid of the smell. Last time I stayed there. Definately not worth the $67 or $70/night they were charging. It was pretty filthy also.

They have new management now so hopefully some of that has changed. (note I said this was 2 years ago that the room was this bad).

It can get a little noisy at the campsites, :

just don't sleep next to Denise... she snores really loud...


on a side note, but in regards to camping, they are planning to build a new campground a few short drive from Vortex at the corner of highway 181 and I-10. (located in Westville, which I think is the next exit going east from Ponce de Leon.)

Local News: ‘Westville Outpost’ RV park planned | westville, planned, development : ChipleyPaper.com

Might be a nice alternative to camp there if you're heading to the gulf or to Morrison if Vortex gets "too rowdy" with the locals during the summer months.

 

[AuTgrDvr]

No worries Megan! We can hang together or even ride down to Vortoberfest together. The camping is easy and showers and stuff are right there, so it will even work for the most stringent of princesses. Also, it might be the only time we ever hang out on a gameday
War Eagle!