Welcome to Alabama! Good riddance to the rough and windy Mississippi Sound. Not even the Barges like this place. On April 6, 2023, I departed Biloxi MS thinking the winds would be better today. They were but it was still a rough go of it. Gnarly did not complain however, so it must have been better. I scored big at the Golden Nugget this morning. I hit the jackpot…a Starbucks Flat White. Jerry and Dede would appreciate that! I am not a gambler, so no coins were harmed in this adventure.
Before I departed, I met a wonderful person who saw my Great Loop Society flag. She had completed the loop last year and gave me some great advice. She did it by herself with a dog, in a troller type boat, and it took her a few years because Covid hit while she was doing it. She wanted to spend some time in the keys as well, and she got her wish for a couple of years.
She encouraged me to anchor out when I could . She said I would enjoy it, I would spend less money on Starbucks, and it is sometimes easier than getting into a marina. I took her advice this time.
As I bumped through the first few hours this morning, I realized that I would never reach my intended marina. I looked for an anchorage as close to Mobile bay as possible and found what appeared to be perfect for a south wind. Dauphin Island is a stretch of white sand south of Mobile across the east end of the Mississippi Sound.
As I approached it, I could feel the calming effects of the islands protection from the south wind. I carefully pulled up to a nice sandy area and because I can raise my keel and my rudder, I was able to get right to the shore. I backed off into a couple feet of water and threw two anchors. One fore and one aft, so that I would not be pushed into shore if the winds changed in the middle of the night. The anchors appear to be holding well. I just don’t want them to drag and find myself back in Biloxi tomorrow morning.
I took Gnarly to shore where she did her business. I took an ocean bath, and yes Dawn does suds up in salt water.
I am relaxing on the boat, getting ready for a good night sleep under the stars.
I will sneak up on Mobile Bay in the morning hoping it does not notice me. If it does, I will tell it I am good friends with Poseidon.
Most everyone has told me that Mobile Bay was the worst part of their trip. I can hardly wait to see. I will let you know tomorrow night. Take care, and wish me luck.
I had rice with sardines tonight, washed down with some very expensive and good sake, followed by a squeeze bag of apple sauce donated by my grandchildren. A prefect meal to end a not so perfect, but spectacular day.
