small world. I grew up in Smiths Station and graduated from HS there. My dad still lives in Smiths and most of the rest of my family in nearby Phenix City.
Way back when, our best local dives consisted of trips to the Chattahoochee to look for some of the slot machines tossed into the river by the National Guard (back when PC was really bad. I have that old movie, "The Phenix City Story" on tape somewhere.....)
We used to dive right behind the dam, downstream side, at both Goat Rock and Barlett's Ferry. In mid-late summer, the water in the "sloughs" there could get pretty clear-with the vis approaching 10' (hey, GOOD for the Chattanasty). We saw lots of big catfish, carp and bass in those waters, some big enough to give us a start. I even witnessed a huge bass hit and take a water mocassin in those waters once. Good thing bass don't get REALLY big---we might end up as bait.
Lake Martin is a bit of a drive, but the water is very clear and deep and I frequently heard rumors about an old WWII bomber that was supposed to rest in there. I never saw it, but I can atest to the clarity of the water.
Panama City is STILL one of my favorite destinations, and it's only about 3 hours south of you. Now that I live in Texas, we often drive 3 hours for DINNER. Jeesh, back then, I thought that was a long drive.......not any more!
As for Morrision-I was diving it when it was only a "local" spot for cavers. I still remember when they put up the sign that said, "20 Divers have died in this spring. Will you be next?". Someone had "exed" out the 20, and spray painted 21. Another ex-out and someone had written "23". There was no shop or air, just a wide spot at the end of a road and some beautiful water. Back then, it wasn't unusual to see guys with scott pack bottles trying to dive alongside folks in doubles rigged for penetration. It was a real hodgepodge of divers and gear. I guess we were lucky more folks weren't killed.
I always liked that place best when the river "backed up" and you had to go through 40' of blackwater to hit the incredibly clear outlflow from the boil. We'd have to fight out way in, but the view out the opened was eerie, with the dark water looking like a dark gray green sky. More than once I ran into an open water diver who didn't used a guideline. Sometimes they had that awful wide-eyed look that made me hand them my line and coach them out. That was, of course, back in my "stoopid" days. I know better than to enter a cave like that now. I was no better trained or qualified than them, I just thought I was......
Anway, it was neat seeing another "bamam" on the list. That makes 3 or 4 here that post a lot, I guess.
Btw, I was certified by Jerry at Planet Ocean in Columbus. That was, ahem, 1976. I don't know how his shop is run now, but in the 70's and 80's, he had a great operation that was very customer oriented. I based my business plan for a Houston LDS on his setup. That's when the reality of how little money these guys make really hit me. I dropped that bad idea quick-quick.
Is he still around? I sent him an email a while back and never got a reply.
Anyway, it was neat seeing someone on the list from Phenix City. Tell all my relatives (about 20% of the population) that I said "Hi!"
