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Published: April 1st 2010
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The Schooner had her first ferry boat crossing across Mobile Bay from Fort Morgan to get to Dauphin Island where we thought we would laze for a day or so resting up for the Big Easy! Dauphin has some great attractions. It was the site, at Fort Gaines, of the Civil War Battle of Mobile. This is where Admiral Farragut is quoted as saying, "Damn the Torpedoes - full speed ahead!" as he went on to capture the Fort and the Confederate fleet.
The campgrounds are convenient from the ferry slip and within walking distance to the Estuarium, a fascinating educational attraction with a great collection of live and preserved specie that inhabit the Mobile Bay Estuary. We had the pleasure of observing two volunteer docents interacting with school children who were so engaged you could feel the learning underway. It was also a short hop to Fort Gaines, where the Confederates tried in vain to defend Mobile Bay - It still may be a touchy subject.
That signature white "soft as talc" sand is underfoot at the beaches. The largest beach was made larger compliments of Hurricane Katrina, who had a way of transforming landscape. A fishing pier,
Boatominiums
Perfect for the fisherman. The boats are bigger than the houses, which are on stilts to defend against storm surges. now the pier to nowhere” was one of the casualties of the weather. It stands high and dry on this beautiful beach.
An Audubon Bird Sanctuary is next to the camp ground with trails directly from the RV Park. The trail system is thoughtfully laid out with wide, well maintained paths that accommodate wheelchairs and strollers. Many of the paths lead to the Gulf beaches. One amazing sight is scores of natural gas rigs off shore.
We missed the Lighthouse Bakery said to have scrumptious pastries in the morning; but we made it for lunch at the Oar House and a drink at the Pelican Reef where we met a couple from Biloxi and were entertained by a couple who got their boat hung up on a sandbar by not paying attention in the well marked channel. He had to get out of the boat and pull and push. It’s sick that we were so amused by their plight - they were still dealing with it (or waiting for the tide to come in) when we drained our glasses and left. They were gone in the morning. As my brother Joe says, “There are no divorces; only boating
Drilling for Natural Gas
This is big business for Alabama. Scores of wells like this are right off the coast. The return is $100million a year for 30 years. accidents!” This situation had potential.
We had a bit of a connectivity problem at the RV Park and found good internet service at the visitors’ center and at the Pelican Reef. The only other drawback of Dauphin Island was cured by a good dose of “Off.” The pesky “no see ‘ems” operated day and night. Going to add an insecticide company to the portfolio!
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Silver Back Cuda
Joanne & Wes DeVoe
BP Oil Spill Compromised!
This entire area, so incredibly beautiful and fragile on our spring 2010 visit, has felt the effect of the BP explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. We worry about the wild life (of course); but also have great concern about the people - fishermen, merchants, tourism service providers and others - who have to struggle through this.