Mobile Bay Tried to Kick Our Butts

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Sunday, 28 November, 2010

After fueling up and paying for dock fees, we left the marina around 8:40. The sun was shining, but it was still windy and cool. Heading out the Dog River channel, there was a light chop, maybe 1-2’. Not bad, we thought, but we were in the lee of a point of land.

By the time we reached the ship channel, it was choppy, the waves were 2-3’ and on our beam. That means from the side, so we were really rocking and rolling, and not in a musical way. The further south we traveled down the ship channel, the rougher it became. We had to tack like a sailboat to take the waves on our bow and stern. After only 6 miles (and 2 hours) we had to do something. Turning back at this point was not an option, because we would still have the waves on our beam. So just before we reached the lighthouse, we turned east toward the eastern shore of the bay, taking the wind and waves now on the bow, a much nicer ride. When we got closer to shore and the wind was blocked somewhat, I was able to go below and pick up the books that had fallen off the shelves. Chairs had overturned, things had fallen to the floor. Going to the bathroom had been an adventure in acrobatics.

We finally reached the Intracoastal Waterway, the ICW, a little after 2:00, about 3 miles west of the eastern shore of Bon Secour Bay. We happily cruised into sheltered waters, past Oyster Bay, Lulu’s Place, Portage Creek and finally to Wolf Bay at mile 161.5 of the ICW, where we anchored for the night. We were rewarded with a beautiful sunset and a cool and tasty beverage.

It was a tough day, but if we hadn’t made the crossing today, we probably wouldn’t have been able to get across until Thursday. So we are making progress again.

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Photos

Mobile Bay Lighthouse
It was really rough out there

Bon Secour and Mobile Bays
looking back

Oyster Bay
look how calm everything looks

Wolf Bay
sun going down

Gorgeous clouds
at Wolf Bay

Comments

[Tully]

WOW!!!!!!!
I hope the wind stays at your back and the ICW stays calm for the remainder of your trip thru northern Fl.!!! Sarah and Trevor make it thru O.K.??

[Barbara Bardecker]

tipsy
He there! Your blogs are making me tipsy as I read them. Being pretty much a land lubber, rocky waves, ooh! Hang in there, hopefully the weather will clear for you a little bit. We had a nice Thanksmas with all the kids an their better halves. Seemed strange not to be in Bakersfield with Mom.... :( Ya'll take care and hang on! Barb and Jerry