JELLY FISH

DAUPHIN ISLAND DAY

Deb returned from Birmingham and joined Janis, Jeanne and myself for the ferry ride to Dauphin Island today. I had expected it to be a very windy, cold trip over but it was beautiful! There's just something about being on the water.

It's about a forty five minute ferry ride which took us close to several of the drilling platforms in the Bay. I think the people from Star Wars patterned some of those creature things that I can't remember the names of from the structure of the drilling platforms. I can't help but think of Star Wars every time I see one.

We visited the Estuarium Research Center on the island. They had a miniature aquarium, the coolest thing was a tank with jelly fish swimming, very other worldly looking.

We had initially planned to go to Bellingrath Gardens but the threatening rain postponed that for another day. Deb took us to Ed's Shrimp Shack in Mobile for lunch. I think it was the best fried shrimp and grits I've ever eaten.

Janis and Jeanne leave tomorrow. It's been fun having them here. We've had some wild evening playing cards and games. It's going to be quiet here next week!

ROCKING AND ROLLING

It was a VERY windy night last night, Saffire was even moving a bit in the wind and Janis said she was rocked to sleep with the Aliner swaying and creaking!

It was a beautiful, crisp day today still windy but the sun was out. Perfect jacket weather. We decided to explore a bit and headed for Fairhope, Alabama, a cute little town about 45 minutes from Gulf Shores. There were some houses I wouldn't mind living in and nice shops to poke around in.

After we returned home, Teddy and I took off for the beach. You can see from his big smile how much he loves going there! We were strolling along when out of the blue someone is calling "Teddy, come here and see me", turned out the man who manages the RV park, Jerry, was fishing. He caught a pompano while we watched, made me wish I had a saltwater rod, he says Pompano is the best eating.

We had a beautiful sunset this evening and a very cool full moon last night. Tomorrow we are planning on taking the ferry from Ft. Morgan to Dauphin Island and then on to Bellingrath Gardens. All the spring flowers, including the azealas, are blooming here. It should be a spectacular show, then I'll go to the Botanical Garden in St. Louis for a second treat when spring finally arrives there.

BOY DOES A BEER TASTE GOOD AFTER

Kayaking and walking the beach!

It's been a nice day. Jeanne, Janis and I went into town for lunch and poked in a couple of junk stores. When we arrived home it looked like the water wasn't going to get any calmer so we launched the kayaks. It really was lovely out on the water, pretty choppy when we got out too far but we had fun paddling around and visiting.

Then I took Teddy down to the beach and it was practically deserted. We walked for about an hour and he had a great time running and doing his favorite thing...rolling.

So, the beer is really tasting good as I post tonight!!

A WINDY NIGHT

The winds were howling and the waves were crashing into shore for most of the night. The morning dawned cloudy and 60ish and still too windy to be out on the Bay in the kayaks.

We've had a nice walk and I'm about to leave to ride the bike for an hour or so, then probably a trip with Teddy to the beach before I get cleaned up. Hoping for sunshine and kayaks tomorrow!!