In the mid 1980s Marion Smith, Merilin Osterlund, and Gerald Moni began driving to the top of a low mountain located behind the downtown area of Scottsboro, Alabama to camp after caving trips. Soon his friends discovered this convenient camping area and began to camp there also. The cavers began gathering in a small field every weekend. Soon the grass died and the area turned into a mud bog due to the action of truck tires. Feeling sorry for messing up the place, Alan Cressler met the owner of the land, Mr. Ralph Sheppard in 1991. Mr. Sheppard also known as Doctor Sheppard or simply Doc organized a large clean up and started a tradition of mutual cooperation and benefit.
Ever since then cavers have developed a bond with Doctor Sheppard. Doc even discovered a new cave named Doctor Sheppards Crack while widening the road up the mountain. This very tight 76 foot pit has become a right of passage for TAG cavers who routinely camp on the mountain. Cavers visiting Jackson County, Alabama from all around the world come to camp on his land. Many new romantic relationships and deep friendships have formed because of this special place. We all wish to thank Doc for allowing us a place to camp and share our lives over the last 12 years.
Doctor Sheppard's mountain is called various names such as Melody or Scottsboro Mountain. Doc once ran a easy listening then country music FM radio station from the top of the mountain. This represents why Doc calls it Melody Mountain. There still exists a radio tower and a cable TV receiving station on top. The remains of the radio station were once turned into a heated cabin for cavers to stay in during cold winter nights. The name of Scottsboro Mountain comes from the way "Scottsboro" was written across mountain on the topographic map of the area to designate the name of the town. Regardless of what we call it, this land represents a special place in the hearts and minds of all the hundreds of cavers who have camped here. It is only fair that the cavers try to give back and show their appreciation.
On May 5th, 2001, Andy Zellner organized another cleanup of Doctor Sheppard's land.
Over 25 cavers from all across TAG and even Britain came by to help clear brush, remove dead falls, cut grass, and pick up litter. Surprisingly only half of one garbage bag of trash was found. After many hours of hard work a cookout was held. Latter at night we were all treated to the drive in theater thanks to Brad Long and his DVD computer and digital projector. The title for the night listed as Road Warrior II. Chuck found new ideas for his next vehicle and the potential use of a hockey mask :-) Many thanks to following people that helped. If the list missed anyone's name please email at email-me
Doctor Shepard, Andy Zellner, Owen Schultz, Branden and Julie Johnson, Chris and Julie Hudson, Belton Dykes, Sharon Faulkner, Andy Porter,
Stephen Collins, LJ Tognetti, Ken Waite, Mark Medlen, Kelly Keener, Sadie Jones, Brad Long, George Cowden, David Holliaman,
Martha Hendricks, Hazard Bryant, Dirk Siron, Chuck Constable, Peter Michaud, Sue Aughey, Jenny Leaderer, David Cole, and
Doug Strait
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