Dive Report - Vortex Spring
The Hodagg bunch woke up bright and early Saturday morning, loaded up the truck and headed south toward Ponce de Leon. Mornings are always wonderful, a colorful sunrise marking the beginning of a new day a new opportunity for adventure. Oops, this particular Saturday there was only a grey cloud in the Eastern sky no sun - no where. Uncle Bersie sat rubbing his beard and all the kids just kind of sulked as the vehicles sped southward in hope of something brighter.
Then as if Mother Nature offered her apology there it was. The roadside lined with trees covered by magical white softness what light there was glistening through crystals. We hadnt experienced the joys of hoarfrost since Sunday morning walks along the Rhine. The magnificence of acres and acres of trees, their limbs bowing to weary travelers and sending a loud and clear message, There is good and beauty, even on the bad days. If all were perfect, there would be no adventure! We watched the thermometer on the rearview and realized that as we neared the Florida the ambient temperature had risen to 36 degrees F. up from 33 when we left home. A virtual heat wave, we thought.
After the traditional sour apple blow-pop at Pinkards and breakfast at Hardees in Elba, we were burning with anticipation. We looked eagerly at the water level in the Choctawhatchee in hopes that Morrison Springs might be divable. Alas, no such luck, the muddy water reached far into the forest as it sped south faster than us.
Finally at Vortex, Mother Nature gave us another treat. Sixty-eight degree water freely gave up its steam to the less than 40 degree air. The winter sauna effect left us gazing in awe and remarking about its beauty. With every good thing there is a bad so Mother had to throw in the wind. It was bone chilling, misery making, non-stopping, aggravating wind that could have just as well stayed at home.
We met SuprBugMan in the dive shop what a hearty soul. Im ready to go diving, he said with glee. And diving we did, but only after constructing a wind break to get dressed behind. The water actually felt warm if you can imagine that. Bersie and Bug-Man, Lu-Lu, and me and Chuck all in a row. Bug-Man and Chuck in three-mil wetsuits, the rest cozy and warm and dry.
Lu-Lu had new toys new toys are one of lifes joys. This was the maiden voyage for both her Transpac and her HID light. Straight for the cave we went and cruised directly to the gate. Satisfied that it was still there we slowly drifted back to daylight. Once or twice around the bowl and Lu-Lus morning coffee reminded her that she needed to get out if she wished to remain dry. I long for the day that someone invents plumbing for the girls, she remarked. One lady in the dive shop talked about being able to go three times before her Depends leaked. Lu-Lu loudly proclaimed YUK!! at just the thought of it. Anyway, 50 minutes after we started it was time to get out. I knew we were in trouble when I reached my hand out of the water to grab the rail. I remember thinking, its cold up there, I dont want to go up there! Lu-Lu reminded me in Sea Signs ASL that the urge was more powerful than the consequence so we got out. As I stood on the steps I inflated my suit like the Michelin man and surprisingly enough, didnt get cold except for my hands.
After dark we dined on steaks, sweet potatoes, stir fried vegetables, baked beans, and Lu-Lus famous ice-box pie. Tim had a roaring fire and we toasted marshmallows. Laughing and talking and sharing tall-tales most of which we had heard before but theyre still funny.
And on Sunday morning the sun came out and the wind stopped. Life was good!
