Log 63; Day 171; Nov. 8; Marina at the Wharf

After crossing the Mobile Bay, this is the waterway that we joined.

Just inside the waterway we were greeted by a pod of dolphins...it was awesome

This is our slip at Marina at the Wharf...yes, we're under another bridge

A shot from the bow of our boat...this is the bar (Fishtales) that is attached to the Marina office...which I think should be a requirement at all marinas

Looking down the street at the Wharf...this is 2 minutes from our boat

Dinner last night...Steve is in the yellow shirt, and his wife Diane is the blond sitting across from Deb. Han and Bill are sitting next to Diane.

Log 63
Day 171
Saturday, November 08, 2008

6:15 AM CST
Location: Marina on the Wharf...on the Intracoastal...about 40 miles east of Mobile
Weather: 56 and crystal clear...forecasted to be 73 and sunny.

Sitting on the back deck this morning it is crystal clear outside. There is no wind, and the eastern sky is very bright...I’m waiting for the sun to come over the marina and warm things up. A little cool, but it is going to be a beautiful day. We are docked at Marina on the Wharf...a first class facility on MM 159 of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. There is no doubt in my mind, of all of the hundreds of marinas we have stayed in over the years, this is the finest facility we have ever been in. The docks are first class construction; a Jimmy Buffet kind of bar is attached to the marina office; it has at least 15 stores where you can buy everything from a t-shirt to a fine outfit; 13 restaurants where you can get everything from a hot dog to a fine steak...as well as Mexican or sushi; a movie theater with 16 different movies playing; and even a Ferris wheel. All of this, 1 minute from our dock, in a setting like walking down the street in a very quaint little community.

How we got here...we left out slip in Dog River on Thursday about 9:45 am. It was a picture perfect day with calm winds and 75 degrees. It was about 2 miles back to the Mobile Channel and then 7 more miles south on the channel before we could turn east and cross Mobile Bay (with safe water depth). Another 8 miles SE across the Bay took us to the GIWW at Mile 142 (the waterway we will follow until Mile 380 at Carabelle, FL.) As soon as we got across the Bay we entered a narrow waterway and saw our first dolphins on this trip. It was like they were out to greet us and welcome us to the Gulf Waterway. Deb was on the phone, and taking pictures, and so excited. No matter how many times you see the dolphins...you never get tired of how cool it is. From the waterway, it was only about 8 more miles to Marina on the Wharf. Along the way we passed Lulu’s...a marina and restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister...where they say Jimmy will stop by occasionally and sing a little.

Yesterday...I got up early and walked the entire complex to check out our surroundings. To sum it up...this is an awesome stop. Back at the boat, I washed the boat, while Deb cleaned the inside. At about 11 Deb and I went walking and stopped in several of the shops. I wanted to see the Columbia and Sperry shops in hopes they had something I could not live without. I guess I have everything I need, because I didn’t buy anything. Deb bought a pair of Crocks, and a Columbia shirt. For lunch we stopped at a Mexican place and had great burritos. On the way back I walked the docks and looked at all the new and used boats for sale. On site they have 3 very large boat dealers, and they have some beautiful boats. In the afternoon (while it rained for a couple of hours) we were getting ready to get together with Steve and Diane Stell...some friends that we have not seen for several years. They live in Kankakee, IL, but also have a condo down in Orange Beach, and they are here for 2 weeks on vacation. They joined us for cocktails on the boat at 5, and brought along some friends of theirs (Bill and Han) who live here in Orange Beach as well. For dinner we walked to the boardwalk and had a great dinner...thanks Steve for buying...now we can afford another day in paradise.

Today and tomorrow (Saturday and Sunday)...we have decided to spend another 2 days here. It’s a little pricey ($2 per foot per night...about 25% more than normal in this area) but has so much to offer. We also want to do some lunch trips on the dinghy. One day we want to go back about 3 miles to Lulu’s and check that place out. Another day we want to go about 5 miles the other direction back up in Roberts Bayou to a place called Pirates Cove Restaurant...a legend in this area for a great cheeseburger and fun local flavor. Any trip in our dinghy is fun, but when you can explore and end up with a beer and cheeseburger...all the better.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bob