8/27/05 - Rock Divers (Madison Quarry)

[mike_s]

As of last Sunday, one of the two docks on the West end was still out of order.
(What’s-his-name at the office said, something to the effect of, the delay in repairs was due to a disagreement between Rock Divers and the city.)
If not fixed by then, It may get a bit crowded on the one, but Jonathan’s expertise on the grill will make the inconvenience bearable. :chef:

That dock has been broken since the weekend of July 9th when it was
overweighted by people during a rescue. I guess Rock Divers is trying
to bill the City's EMS/Fire group for having too many rescue people
on the dock.

You'd figure they would have it fixed by now.

The problem with the quarry is that it's owned by the City and the
lease is bid on for operation and 'let' to Rock Divers. Rock Divers doesn't
want to spend any money on facilities since they don't actually own
the property. Especially since the contract is up for re-bid and
they don't want to spend any money on something they might not
win again.

I don't have anything against Rock Divers, but I sure would like
to see some improvement to the facilities, which a new operator
might do.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Turns out half the group I was going to come up there with aren't gonna be able to make it this weekend, so I'm going to stay local and try for another date up there.

Looking forward to getting back up there, schedules just didn't work out for this weekend.

 

[rdharbis1]

Sorry you aren't going to make it. Maybe we could get together when I come to Gulf Shores in October?

 

[mike_s]

Looking forward to getting back up there, schedules just didn't work out for this weekend.

From looking at the below weather model for KATRINA, now seems
like a "good time" for a "road trip"

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Sorry you aren't going to make it. Maybe we could get together when I come to Gulf Shores in October?

Hopefully our schedules will work out, there's a get-together at Vortex mid October(check the Trips subforum here in the Dixie Divers Forum) and a Megadive at Ginnie on Halloween weekend. I'm open between those dates.

From looking at the below weather model for KATRINA, now seems
like a "good time" for a "road trip"

Before this morning, they were saying Katrina wouldn't reach the Gulf until Sat morning and it would be heading towards the FL big bend area. Sucks how things have changed, I was gonna take the Jellyfish out into the Gulf again, but that may very well change now...

Backup is gonna be the springs at this point, they're closer. If I have to evacuate, I'll probably go to Tuscaloosa again, with gear, and head to Pelham.

 

[Corigan]

Sorry we couldn't get together this time Mat, you know there is always next time. If you have to evac and head to pelham let me know, maybe we could hook up on some diving there. Hope everything goes well and Kat misses ya.

I am still waiting to see what happens at the end of sept with some of my cave classes. If all goes well, ginnie on helloween might not be a bad idea.

I look forward to seeing everyone out there tomorrow.

Matt

 

[octotat]

Bugman,

I'm trying to make some plans for the Labor day weekend, and was considering Gulf Shores/Pensacola area. Will it be crowded as holy heck that weekend? Would you be diving in that area at that time? I'd also need a recommendation on a cheapy roach infested motel.

Octo

 

[mike_s]

Bugman,

I'm trying to make some plans for the Labor day weekend, and was considering Gulf Shores/Pensacola area. Will it be crowded as holy heck that weekend?

Last time I was in Gulf Shores over Labor Day weekend, we left on Monday of
Labor Day about 10 or 11am. Well, the other 30,000 people who had rented
condo's in Gulf Shores that weekend apparantly all left at the same time.

Traffic was so backed up on the "beach road" that the turn onto HWY 59
heading north out of Gulf Shores took 45 minutes of waiting. Traffic was
so "bumper to bumper" that it took 2 hours and 20 minutes to get to
Robertsdale (about 10 "normal minutes" north of Foley. Which is about
I think 20 miles or so north of the beach.

The bad thing is that the Police were sitting on the side of the road
just watching the traffic problem instead of trying to get out and direct
it through all the red lights and keep it moving. It was like they just
didn't care and were waiting on an accident to happen.

There was a large group of us on that trip and that dis-organization
of traffic problem they have, I don't think one of us has been back.

I'd also need a recommendation on a cheapy roach infested motel.

Heh.... I got a good laugh at that.

 

[octotat]

Yeechhh, that sounds aweful. Maybe I'll head up to Bonne Terre mines instead, nobody rushes to that area for vacation!

 

[Corigan]

Anybody have any idea of current bottom temps? Trying to decide what exposure suits to bring.

Matt