Salt Water - Pelicans - Porpoise & Shrimp Boats!

Trip Day:	235	Latitude:	30°34.01' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	32	Longitude:	088°05.32'W	Locks Total:	108
Total Miles:	5,224	Location:	Mobile Bay, AL – Turner Marine

 

Our wake up call was the first bass boat as he passed us at 5:45 this morning— fishing is serious business!  Another dozen boats headed out the bayou by the time we had breakfast and prepared to lift anchors.  Three miles down river we hailed the Fourteen Mile Railroad Bridge - it was in the down position.  While we were waiting for the bridge to lift we noticed the  terrain had definitely changed again.  It’s been a long time since we have seen palmettos.

 

 

Less than ten miles from the city of Mobile, all we see is water and swamp—amazing.  It was the perfect habitat for eagles and osprey with frequent sightings. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we approached the port of Mobile, it became  clear immediately that this was a very active port.  

 

 

 

 

 

Container ships, naval ships, huge cranes and terminals, piles of coal and dry docks for ship repairs.  In the middle of all this industry we could see the skyline of Mobile, at mile marker zero. 

 

 

 

Then, we caught our first glimpse of  open water -the boat was drawn to salt water.  As we entered Mobile Bay we turned east to head  to the marina. 
Within minutes we had seen seagulls, pelicans, shrimp boats and porpoise—what a great day!

 

 

 

 

 

By the time we turned into the channel leading to the marina, five boats were following in our wake.  When we approached the fuel dock, Jessie and Katie, “the girls” were there to welcome us.  They   arrived yesterday and are scheduled to have their mast stepped later today.  It is so interesting that we keep bumping into boats who have passed us and those behind us catch up again at some point.  There are at least a dozen looper boats here. 

Word spread that when the shrimper boats returned to the dock we would be able to purchase shrimp from them.  Boaters lined up with their small coolers to buy fresh shrimp.  An   impromptu party came together under the pavilion by the marina office.  We boiled seven pounds of shrimp, others brought grilled shrimp, sautéed and Cajun shrimp.  Some boaters admitted they had never had shrimp that had not been frozen.  It was a feast enjoyed by all!

 

Tomorrow we are off to Nawlins by car!