Movin' On!

This morning we left Fairhope and headed through Mobile Bay to the Intracoastal waterway (ICW).  We will travel the ICW across the Florida panhandle until we reach Carabelle.  We had to make our first decision about weather this morning.  The last couple days in Fairhope were very windy and we wondered what the Bay would be like.  Still trying to avoid big waves.  We checked marine weather underground and talked to the other boats leaving this morning and decided to head out.  The Bay was choppy but only 1 -2 ‘ seas so 20BUCK$ went through without a problem!

Before I get into the sights on the ICW let me tell you about our last night in Fairhope.  We went to town with 4 other couples and watched the city’s lighting of the trees to dress up the city for the holidays.  We were serenaded by the town chorus and high school band.  Ken got to play with Frosty!  At 6 p.m. sharp the switch was turned on and a million lights lit up the streets.  Right after the lights came on, it started to snow!  It was man made but still great!  It was beautiful!  I had gone into town early and got a haircut, did a little shopping and waited for the rest of the gang to arrive.  After the lights were illuminated we all enjoyed a wonderful dinner at “R”Bistro.

OK, let’s get back to the ICW.  Red and Green buoys are our friends.  If they are on the correct side of the boat, they lead us to our destinations.  On the ICW, red is on the left but it is the reds with the yellow triangles and the greens with the yellow squares that signify the ICW.  Oh me oh my there is a lot to remember about this boating.  The birds are just hanging out!  They are not part of the buoy plan.  

We entered the ICW about 9:30 this morning and not far down the ICW is Lulus restaurant.  Lulu is Jimmy Buffett’s sister so of course we had to stop and have a “Cheeseburger in Paradise”.  We pulled in and tied up at the dock with Beth and Dean from Kismet.  Jan and Rusty from CBAY had already stopped at a marina about 5 miles ahead for the night.  They talked one of the employees into giving them a ride to Lulus and they joined us for lunch!.  Maybe Judy, Jayne and I should work at “Crazy Sista’s” kitchen!  OOPS - only one of us really likes to cook.  Very fun place.  In the summer months there is consistently a two hour wait! 

Ken washed the first dose of salt off the windows and we headed back onto the ICW.  We dropped Jan and Rusty off at the Wharf on our way by and headed for our anchorage with Kismet.

And now for the best part of the day!!!!!  We pulled into Ingram Bayou a favorite anchorage of the Loopers about 2 p.m.  We were relaxing and enjoying nature and only the sounds of birds singing and Pelicans diving for fish!  You guessed it DOLPHINS!  Three of them swimming around in the bay where we were anchored.  I was so excited!  Even though the picture isn’t the best and all I got was the dolphin’s butt, trust me it was sooooooooo cool.  While I have been typing this entry for the blog, there have been 4 more swimming around the boat.  No better pictures to share, all dolphin butts!   

Tomorrow we will head to Palafox Pier in Pensacola, FL for a couple days. 

Our journey continues and we are loving it! 

Hugs to all our friends and family!  Pat