Dauphin Island ...

Today was 'see the sights' day. John and Linda gassed up the Hummer and off we went to the "Estuarium" on Dauphin Island. A small island in Mobile Bay off the coast of Alabama. For those who don't know (we didn't either) what that (estuarium) is ... it's like an aquarium but it showcases mother natures places where fresh and salt water meet. Specifically, Mobile Bay and its Dauphin Island is a perfect example.

Getting to the Island from Gulf Shores requires that we take a ferry. A ferry you say? In the past few days here it was so windy that bath tubs had white caps in them so the thought of bouncing around Mobile Bay gave one a slight pause. Undaunted we got up early (for us) and John and Linda picked us up and we headed to the ferry dock. The bay was pretty calm with good visibility. Visibility good enough to see that the bay was dotted with natural gas drilling platforms everywhere. I thought these were oil rigs but later learned at the estuarium they were not. We arrived at the dock to quickly learn we were the first one there. As the departure time came and went, a closer look at the big sign explained the problem. We had mixed up departure and arrival times. No big deal and the good thing was we were first in line. The sign also said that the ferry held eighteen cars but also excepted people walking, bicycles, and motor homes. After reading that, we figured this must be some big boat but all we could see in the bay in front of us was this little speck of a boat heading for our dock. As it came closer, the ferry really didn't get much bigger but what got our attention was a large motor coach that pulled into the line for the ferry. How was that behemouth going to fit with all the cars already in line? Would the ferry still float? Would it tip over? They lowered the ferry's ramp and motioned us on board. Parked at the bow, we kept looking towards the stern as more and more cars drove on. Thankfully just as the motorhome approach the entrance it turned away. Whew! I thought to myself. Fish food we weren't today. As it turns out the coach was over the length limit of 32 ft and couldn't get on board anyway. So with our little ferry, loaded to the gills, we shoved off to the island. With just a slight chop on the water, we traversed the bay and docked on the barrier island. Dauphin Island can be accessed via a bridge from the mainland near Mobile, but the 30 minute ferry was a much quicker and shorter way for us today.

We checked into the estuarium, paid our $6.00 admission fee and started the tour. Well done to say the least. Lots of huge tanks housing many of the areas aquatic creatures. From snakes to tarpon to octupi, they were all displayed in interesting environs with descriptive signs everywhere. There was even a touchy-feeling exhibit that allow us to touch live horseshow crabs in a big tank. Bawannah John stepped forward to sacrifice his hand without any outword signs of fear. A crowd had gathered and he, like so many men of the sea had before him, reached out to forge a bond between man and animal. An aura formed as the two met. It was almost religious. You should have been there. Afterward the crowd parted, some with tear stained cheeks knowing that what they witnessed was special. We left the estuarium far more appreciative of the complexity of of the areas ecosystems and the efforts being made to maintain them.

Seeing all those fish made us a little hungary, and since the esturaium wasn't cooking up any samples ... we headed for the mainland and some place to chow down. Passing several resturants of dubious quality, we settled on the Captains Table near the battleship USS Alabama dockage. Positioned next to the Alabama, several retired warbirds, a submarine, and a small air museum, it was still a surprise to find the interior walls of the resturant covered with old photograhs of WWII. Planes, air crews, naval vessels ... certainly all eye candy for me. We enjoyed a fine meal then headed over to view the old war machines. It's easy for me to forget that others may not enjoy these aged fighting machines as much as I do but they were pretty patient with me and after about 30 minutes I had my fix and we headed home.

Another fine day of quality friends and extrodinary surroundings. Can it get any better?

We again thank our hosts, John and Linda for their time and hospitality and we're still enjoying another day... livin' the dream.