We left for Vortex just after noon on Friday. It was nice to get settled in and relax before dinner. We even did our Dollar Store stop before Sally’s. The place was kind of crowded but we ordered the standard hamburger steak, onions but no gravy, sweet potato, and hushpuppies. We always save half for lunch on Saturday. Us and some of the Auburn folks gathered for a “little snoot” and some lively conversation before turning in.
I always marvel at the spring shrouded in steam on cool mornings. The students were there and anxious and the crowds arrived early. We were lucky enough to get the first dive done before the silt stirred but the second dive visibility proved pretty close. We did the skills and all did well. The air warmed but the wind bit. After the second dive I poured water from the right leg of my dry suit. I hate it when that happens.
We had a great number of divers just down there for the fun.
The barbecue went well as usual. The aroma from sausages piled high on the grill wafted through the campground as divers both old and new laughed and talked. We presented certificates to those who had earned them and only when we sat down realized how tired we were. We started a bonfire and fun lasted way into the night.
One of the Auburn folks hung their wetsuit on the porch to dry and on Sunday morning icicles dangled from the sleeve. The spring spewed forth steam in ghostly shadows against the rising sun. Students were there and ready to get started. With fewer divers the spring waters were clear and enticing. The wind stopped and by noon the air toasty warm.
We signed logbooks, shook hands and said “Congratulations diver!” as thirty brand new frogpersons earned their certifications. The sun felt warm as we packed and paid the bill. We hated to leave but met the crowd once again when we stopped at the Dairy Queen in Elba.
All-in-all a fun, relaxing, rewarding, exhausting weekend we had.
I always marvel at the spring shrouded in steam on cool mornings. The students were there and anxious and the crowds arrived early. We were lucky enough to get the first dive done before the silt stirred but the second dive visibility proved pretty close. We did the skills and all did well. The air warmed but the wind bit. After the second dive I poured water from the right leg of my dry suit. I hate it when that happens.
We had a great number of divers just down there for the fun.
The barbecue went well as usual. The aroma from sausages piled high on the grill wafted through the campground as divers both old and new laughed and talked. We presented certificates to those who had earned them and only when we sat down realized how tired we were. We started a bonfire and fun lasted way into the night.
One of the Auburn folks hung their wetsuit on the porch to dry and on Sunday morning icicles dangled from the sleeve. The spring spewed forth steam in ghostly shadows against the rising sun. Students were there and ready to get started. With fewer divers the spring waters were clear and enticing. The wind stopped and by noon the air toasty warm.
We signed logbooks, shook hands and said “Congratulations diver!” as thirty brand new frogpersons earned their certifications. The sun felt warm as we packed and paid the bill. We hated to leave but met the crowd once again when we stopped at the Dairy Queen in Elba.
All-in-all a fun, relaxing, rewarding, exhausting weekend we had.
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