MTRC Dive Trip

[NeveSSL]

Hi all,

I know there are several divers in the group.

I spoke with CJ, his wife, and Donny about doing a dive trip this summer, so I thought I would throw it up here.

I'm debating between a couple of quarries in the area. Martha's Quarry, in Lebanon is about 40 acres with a bus at the bottom and quite a bit to see (old quarry buildings, greyhound bus, small yacht, etc). There no facilities on site, though, so we would have to rent the tanks we were using (two or three tanks I would think). I'm familiar with this quarry. I think I've done around 10 or 15 dives there. This quarry is super clear around the 2nd week of June (but still warm, for the pansies like Rick who don't like cold water ). After that, algae sets in for the rest of the diving season and it becomes less clear, although still divable.

There's also Pennyroyal Quarry up in Kentucky. I've never been to this quarry (although I believe CJ did his checkout dives there), but it would be nice for a change of scenery. We could make this a camping trip as they have a campground on site.

I'm working on rental prices for those who don't own all of their gear (such as myself at least). As-is, Pennyroyal's prices are here. For Martha's, we would need to rent at one of the local dive shops.

I'm definitely open to other suggestions. There's Loch-lo-minn in McMinn county that has some interesting fish in it.

Anyone interested?

Also, for what its worth, we will be fully planning the dives before leaving and doing everything we can to dive the plans (I know Chris has heard that before ). Lastly, you have to be certified to dive. Period.

Brandon

 

[Jennifier615]

Who local does certifications? Other than the aquarium.

 

[Pandarian]

Yep definitely in on this. I got your PM before seeing this thread. ps... count me as one that doesnt like the cold either

 

[NeveSSL]

Who local does certifications? Other than the aquarium.

Jennifer,

There is Cornerstone SCUBA in Murfreesboro, MTSU in Murfreesboro, Blue Water SCUBA in Cool Springs, and a few others in Nashville that I'm not as familiar with.

Yep definitely in on this. I got your PM before seeing this thread. ps... count me as one that doesnt like the cold either

Haha! Better grab a thick wetsuit, then.

Also, I'm leaning toward Pennyroyal. This would be a weekend trip. Probably drive up on Saturday morning and do two or 3 dives. Maybe 4 if we're lucky. You're option to stay overnight and dive on Sunday... I know my wife I will be.

Brandon

 

[tkimmons85]

If you want to get salty there's st. Andrew state park in panama city fl. Went diving there last year and saw a wide variety of reef life. Only a 9 hr drive too

 

[NeveSSL]

Interesting. That looks like a neat dive. If I went down there, I would definitely hit up Vortex Springs and then head down there. In fact, MTSU does that trip every fall... I need to go again and finish my Master Diver cert. All I needed to do was my Nitrox checkout dive and I would have been fine. :rolleyes1:

Would you be interested in going up to Pennyroyal with us? I'm trying to keep this trip a cheap weekend trip.

Brandon

 

[Nashvegas]

I am in for the pennyroyal trip...the cool stuff is a little deeper so bring your thick suits..there is a real thermocline at about 15 ft..
also a great way to get certifications and advanced certs at the cheapest price is with..
www.scubamarcos.com
havent found anyone cheaper..I went on a trip to bonaire with Marcos and it was awesome!

 

[NeveSSL]

I'm thinking hooded vest on top of my 5 mil. Thanks for the heads-up on that, CJ.

And no need to bring up Bonaire.

Brandon

 

[mixer911]

I'm thinking hooded vest on top of my 5 mil. Brandon

Sounds cold to me :wildone:

 

[tkimmons85]

Man I wish I had the time and the funds to got to bonaire. Id like to just spend a week there diving everyday. I am really interested in diving Penn with you guys it just depends what date it is. Ive got alot on my plate with work and school. Also I just got promoted to the dive team here with the fire dept !!! Whoo hoo So my training with that starts next month. So Ill be running through all the padi certs I dont have and then Im gonna start the state required training for rescue/recovery divers.

 

[mixer911]

Thats pretty awesome Travis. Good luck with that.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Way Cool!

Way Cool!

Man I wish I had the time and the funds to got to bonaire. Id like to just spend a week there diving everyday. I am really interested in diving Penn with you guys it just depends what date it is. Ive got alot on my plate with work and school. Also I just got promoted to the dive team here with the fire dept !!! Whoo hoo So my training with that starts next month. So Ill be running through all the padi certs I dont have and then Im gonna start the state required training for rescue/recovery divers.

That seems like an Honor to be chosen for that type of responsibilities for saving peoples lives, Congrats!
Bill

 

[tkimmons85]

Thanks guys, I know it sounds cheesy but I feel like I haven't worked a day in five years. I love my job.

 

[Spudzeric]

Count me in. It's been about a year since I've dived.

Interesting. That looks like a neat dive. If I went down there, I would definitely hit up Vortex Springs and then head down there.....

Vortex Springs is a good one, I've dived it about 11 times. Morrison Springs is another good one, I've only dived it 2 times. I would have dived it more, but almost every time I went down to it, it was closed. The caves in both are pretty cool too. If you don't mind spending a little money they have some AWESOME wreck dives down there!!

 

[NeveSSL]

Yeah, we were going to do Morrison Springs when we were down there, but it was closed then, too. I think its open now. Vortex is cool. I've done about 6 or 7 dives there, but it gets kinda old quick. I did all of those dives in one weekend. :lol: The night dive there was cool, though.

The great thing about Vortex is that they have a pretty cool camp site. We camped when we went down there. Just had a makeshift clothes line that we hung our wetsuits and gear on.

That might be an option for next year if this year goes well.

Who all is interested in going this year to Pennyroyal?

Brandon

 

[fishdoc11]

I am going to Puerto rico at the start of August and need to get Bev/Mike to do a checkout dive with me in the next month or so. Not sure if this is possible on such short notice but I dedided if I'm going to PR I would be a fool not to try and get in a couple of dives and I need to be ready for them. I'm off on Wednesdays and every other Saturday. Would love to hookup with everyone at some place like Marthas to get my Sea legs back
thanks, Chris

 

[NeveSSL]

Man! I wish I had known sooner! Bev and crew went to Martha's this weekend. Hit her up on Facebook and see if she's going again soon. I know my wife and I would have gone this weekend if we weren't already going camping.

Is anyone still interested in going to Pennyroyal?

Brandon

 

[fishdoc11]

Well Rats, I sent Mike an Email yesterday. I'll send Bev one later today.
thanks, Chris

 

[NeveSSL]

If you are able to go to Martha's again, let me know and I'd love to join you if there's room.

Brandon

 

[fishdoc11]

Talked to Mike via Email and he said he or Bev were free whenever for pool checkout stuff. I'll see what I can do about getting something going at Martha's sometime soon Does anybody have any recomendations for shops that service regulators and computers reasonably that you trust?
thanks, Chris