Dauphin Island

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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, 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 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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Photos

The Schooner on the Ferry to Dauphin Island
Schooner's first ferry ride!

Boatominiums
Perfect for the fisherman. The boats are bigger than the houses, which are on stilts to defend against storm surges.

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.

Lunch at the Oar House
Gumbo, Oyster Po'Boy, Burger! This restaurant is right across from the public beach.

Wild White Roses
The bird sanctuary was a wonder of flora and fauna!

Odd Job
This man was rearranging the snake's habitat. The snake was heard to say, "just a tad to the right."

From the Yellow Trail
At the Bird Sanctuary we took the Yellow Trail around a lake and through various stages of forest progression including dunes. Very accessible, great intepretive signage.

Amazing Docent
This docent at the Estuarium was full of information and great "show & tell" artifacts about aquatic life in Mobile Bay. This place gets 5 stars!

On the Yellow Trail
How many great blue herons do you see?

This used to be a Fishing Pier
Hurricane Katrina turned this fishing pier into landlocked beach acces. The beach was created by the surging Gulf of Mexico during Katrin and subsequent storms.

Boardwalks Lead the Way
Many of the trails in the Bird Sanctuary are boardwalk trails, level, wide and accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Those trails, not wood plank clad, are groomed and wide. The interpretive signage is exceptional and benches are placed randomly along the way. Lots of care - many volunteers - great effort!

Very Wide Dauphin Beach
Katrina created this vast swathe of powdery white sand.

Comments

[Silver Back Cuda]

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.

[Joanne DeVoe]

Badly affected by the BP spill!
Again, we are so sorry about the devestation to the wildlife and especially the people of this area. The preident used the ferry boat in the top pix when he was doing his disaster tour.