Just back from the diving trip to the Oriskany, the world's largest artificial reef. It must have been a really impressive aircraft carrier back in the day. What an experience! The whole weekend was great, with the exception of having to ride our bikes through some nasty wind and rain on the way down...
The Oriskany: the coolness factor of this dive is high. Plan on short dives, however, because the coolest swim-throughs and things to see are from 90' to 120', in my opinion. The top of the crow's nest is at 70', and the flight deck is at 136'. Stay too long on the flight deck, risk going into deco. Gotta keep a very close eye on your dive computer. This was no doubt my deepest dive, and it's kind of the ultimate "wall" dive, in that you feel like you're descending the side of an underwater skyscraper as you go down. Marine life is still a little weak, but there are already BIG barracuda lurking about. I can't wait to see it again in a year or two, when it's had more time... We managed to meet a man in downtown Pensacola who served on the Oriskany in 1965- a great way to cap off the experience.
The Scuba Shack: (Pensacola, FL) recommended. These guys didn't hold our hands at all, which we found extremely refreshing. We did our own thing, at our own risk.
The New World Landing: highly recommended accommodations. Basically across the street from the Scuba Shack. Great location, great staff, real keys. Old school.
29 Dreams Motorcycle Resort: (Vandiver, AL) a destination in itself. First-class operation, basically a very popular campground for motorcyclists. You'll see every kind of bike imaginable! Great motorcycle road to get there, as well: Alabama highway 25.
The Oriskany: the coolness factor of this dive is high. Plan on short dives, however, because the coolest swim-throughs and things to see are from 90' to 120', in my opinion. The top of the crow's nest is at 70', and the flight deck is at 136'. Stay too long on the flight deck, risk going into deco. Gotta keep a very close eye on your dive computer. This was no doubt my deepest dive, and it's kind of the ultimate "wall" dive, in that you feel like you're descending the side of an underwater skyscraper as you go down. Marine life is still a little weak, but there are already BIG barracuda lurking about. I can't wait to see it again in a year or two, when it's had more time... We managed to meet a man in downtown Pensacola who served on the Oriskany in 1965- a great way to cap off the experience.
The Scuba Shack: (Pensacola, FL) recommended. These guys didn't hold our hands at all, which we found extremely refreshing. We did our own thing, at our own risk.
The New World Landing: highly recommended accommodations. Basically across the street from the Scuba Shack. Great location, great staff, real keys. Old school.
29 Dreams Motorcycle Resort: (Vandiver, AL) a destination in itself. First-class operation, basically a very popular campground for motorcyclists. You'll see every kind of bike imaginable! Great motorcycle road to get there, as well: Alabama highway 25.
Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum: (Leeds, AL) Coolness factor was off the charts. Motorcycles from every manufacturer, and many you never knew existed... You could easily blow the better part of a day there.
Those are some of the highlights of the trip. I couldn't ask for a more fun "guys weekend."
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