December 3, 2009 Mobile, AL to Orange Beach, FL

December 3, 2009

Mobile Bay to Orange Beach, FL

After fueling up and pumping out, we started from Dog River Marina around 10:30. We delayed the start because the wind was supposed to settle down a bit later in the day. As it was we crossed with a NW wind at 15-20 knots that created 1-3 foot waves. It took us three hours to get to the southern end of Mobile Bay, and that was using the shortcut Chip Lucas had mapped out for us. We gathered a following of seagulls and pelicans. They were fun to watch.

The first part of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway was narrow, and we passed by Lulu’s Restaurant. Its claim to fame is that Lulu is Jimmy Buffet’s sister. There are “Jimmy” sightings on a regular basis.

We stopped after 45-50 miles at Bear Point Marina in Orange Beach, FL. We ate at the marina restaurant, Flippers. Can you imagine seafood nachos? They were delicious! The name of the restaurant might be a clue to what one might expect to see along the way. According to Mark, he had several dolphin sightings – in fact one right in the marina. I saw two fins in Mobile Bay and that was it. I swear Mark was fibbing.

That night Mark got the picture of the heron on the post next to Grateful.