Monday, December 16, 2013

Dauphin Island Wild and Beautiful

30° 14.545'N, 88° 07.051'W

Our first landfall in Alabama was accompanied by the last weak rays of sunlight falling softly to illuminate the sandy strips all around our anchorage.  We had a taste of the "big water" rolling off the Gulf of Mexico as we came around the East end of Dauphin Island and ducked into Pelican Bay to hide out from big winds forecast from the North and Northeast for a couple of days.  We relaxed in the cockpit as the moon rose in the blue night and we relived the high points of our day.

We had made it across Mississippi Sound, over 50 miles with such luck!  We had a little bit of chop out in the middle of the Mississippi Sound, but our short time in Mobile Bay was flat with a favorable current.  We are really so very lucky!  Tomorrow, we hoped for some warmer temperatures so that we can go ashore and explore the beaches ringing the anchorage.

We awoke to sunshine and a lone shrimper working the waters just outside our anchorage.














There were oil rigs offshore skirted in a light fog, but none here.  The morning was brilliant and sparkling!  Oh happy day!














We had a quick breakfast and suited up warmly for a dinghy ride ashore. By the time we finished getting ready, the clouds had begun to roll in, but we were still hopeful and excited to get off the boat and have solid ground beneath our feet.

The island stretched far away from us in the misty morning.  There was a "New England" feel to it with the homes lining the coast and the wild oats waving in the breeze.  Flocks of big gulls huddled on the sand waiting for better weather to fly.


We had the strangest thing happen... while we docked the dinghy and began our exploration of the sandy spit... we noticed a blue heron who seemed to be very curious about our movements.

As we moved away from the dinghy and along the shore, first one side, then the other... we noticed that the heron was following Bruce.  And a second heron seemed to be following the FIRST bird.

I kept an eye on Bruce, almost fearing for his safety, or his virtue... as this big bird walked along with him... wherever he went.

We have never had a creature seem so unafraid or so curious about us in all our travels.  It was a thrill when the bird walked between us and came towards me as I took a video... completely at ease was this bird.

We moved on to the next shore and found it to be even more wildly dramatic with the dark clouds and winds blowing off the Gulf of Mexico.

We could feel an almost warm breeze now and then and were hopeful.

Beach-combing was unproductive but we enjoyed being off the boat, soaking up the sounds and the sights.  We even had a little fun trying to take a self portrait.  Nobody to offer to snap the shot out here... we had left our heron behind on the other shore.

We began to feel a light sprinkle at this point causing us to abandon our exploration and run back to the dinghy.  Luckily, it was no more than a warning of what could be and we hardly felt any more wet than we already did from general damp!

Later in the day, when the sun came back out... we ventured off to the opposite side of the anchorage.  We walked over the small dunes to the Gulf side where the waves were crashing against the shore.  We could see homes far away on the shoreline and wondered if they were as deserted as this beach.  It seemed as if we were the only ones out enjoying all of this wild beauty today.

We mounted the steps to a long pier and had a small snack on one of the tables there.  It was like all of this was built just for us... Where are all the people?

We continued our exploration of the beaches until we got cold and retired to the boat for the night.

We were unable to leave the boat the next day.  We spent the day aboard reading and keeping warm with fierce North winds buffeting us all around.

We moved the boat at one point, fearful that if we were to drag anchor, we were too close to the lee shore to avoid going aground in time.  We enjoyed our free day, but were happy to get going the following morning for our next stop in Alabama.  We are trying desperately to get to Florida and her promised warmer temperatures and blue waters.  Please enjoy the photo slide show as the pictures of Dauphin Island as the beautiful pics were too many to post individually.

12 comments:

  1. Our boat lives at Island Cove Marina in Harrison Township, Michigan. The back of our boat looks out over a beautiful bay on Lake St Clair. I love watching the Heron fish on the other side of breakwall. The water is sometimes only 6 inches deep over there. They stride along in their backward knee gait looking for minnows. They are so awkward and elegant at the same time. We also get Tri-Color Heron which are much smaller and short necked. They make this odd squawk sound. We also see diving birds that search for minnows. My husband calls them fisher birds. But I think they are a species of Tern. I love the show they all provide!

    I hope you see warm weather soon!

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    1. Thanks Marie. I think I'll know as much about you as you do about me before long... Maybe you should get to blogging! I love the birds. I've toyed with the idea of birding on a more committed basis, but it's a lot of work and my memory for names is a hindrance... I just love watching them.

      We really have seen surprisingly few birds, dolphin and other creatures on our trip so far. But the new one's I'm unfamiliar with are always a kick. We saw some kind of small bird at one anchorage that was making a clicking sound as it soared and dove for fish. Very odd! I just wish my photography was better. Maybe I need to invest in a better camera.

      Anyway, thanks for your comment as always!
      t

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  2. Thanks for sharing your trip with us... I have sailed at Dauphin Island for many years mostly on daysailers and we see the cruisers come in and anchor for the night. I often wonder who they are and where they are from and what it would be like... It's nice to see the island from your perspective and to read about your journey.
    I am looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip... Thanks

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    1. Wow your comment really makes me think! One of the things that I really hadn't thought of before we came out her was that we would be cruising through parts of the country where people really live! I know that sounds kind of dumb... but I guess I had thought we would be sailing off into wilderness... Anyway, it's great to get comments from folks along the way, it kind of makes it more real! We were thinking as we passed through the Mississippi Sound that it would be a wonderful place to live with so many weekend destinations to explore. What a great life you must have! Thanks for commenting!

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  3. We have been sailing these islands for 27 years... It is a nice place to play and sail and every April they have the famous Dauphin Island Race with almost 300 sailboats some years that ends up at the island for one very large party and don't miss Horn Island a very beautiful island made famous by the painter Walter Anderson from Ocean Springs...

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    1. It sounds wonderful! We have a race from Galveston to Port Aransas in October called the Harvest Moon Regatta. It has been known to push the 300 boat mark. Participating in the start of such a race is a must-do for any racer. Such a thrill. I can't imagine having the playground you have. Unfortunately we have missed Horn Island. The weather was just not cooperative. Maybe we'll sail back down this way sometime and it will be on our list! Thank you for your comment!

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  4. Another wonderful sail story and so very descriptive, I wonder if we could ask you to include the Lat/Long of your anchorages and stops. I will be leaving Rockport Texas soon and the info you give is priceless. I hope you use Active Captain and your info would be so great for other sailors doing the ICW. I know you have been a boon for me.. .

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    1. Richard, I will try to start including the lat/long... We have been using Active Captain and the anchorages and marinas are pretty much there. I also have a page here on the blog for marinas we've visited with the lat/long included. If you are on Facebook or on Active Captain eBoatcards, I would be happy to give you the information personally. Or, you could just drop me an email and I'll give them to you that way. Very happy to oblige! Our Dauphin Island Anchorage was at: 30°14.545’N, 88°07.051’W

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  5. I thought I got back to you on this...guess with my son being in Hospital it slipped my mine.. NO need for Lat Long and I am using your Google map. and crossing them to AC so I am set. got the trip planed and way points set on AC, I am following your trip to the letter pretty much, If when you get time PM on Boat Cards as I have some questions to ask in regards to your site. ie, Google map to track you and how you got some of the things that you have. Done web design before, but having a hard time with the blog.,
    Any way many belated wishs that you had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy / Safe New Year and may 2014 bring you nothing but fair winds and calm seas.,

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    1. Your reminder about noting lat/long was not a bad idea so I'm trying to include it. Thanks and I'll look you up on eBoatcards! I hope all is well with your son...

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  6. Thanks and doing well. Places that are not listed on AC, the lat/long would be helpful..Like your anchorage here. Also you may want to enter it in AC for other curises..Always look forward to your next post,,,,Also hope you all are staying warm,,,,Its cold here in Jacksonville.

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    1. I think that the Deer Island Anchorage is the only one we've not found on AC and I have submitted it to them, although not until a couple of days ago when we had good wi-fi and I found the time to figure out how to do it. This Dauphin Island anchorage was on Active Captain or we probably would not have tried to get around here to it. It had really great reviews and would be good in winds from all directions, which is what we were expecting. And I still think you were right about listing the lat/long!

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