The Querrey's QUEST: 11/9/2010 EASTERN SHORES MARINA IN MOBILE BAY TO HOMEPORT MARINA IN GULF SHORES, AL

BOAT NAME OF THE DAY
"PLAN B"
WONDER WHAT PLAN A WAS?

11/9/2010

TUESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 27 NM

We took our time this morning with returning the car, fueling, pumping out and bidding good bye to David and Mary of Ganymede who will complete their “Loop” when they cross their own path this afternoon as they head towards Houston, TX. We will miss Mary’s charming ways and David’s velvety voice over the VHF radio. We expect to see Jill and Richard on Finally again as we travel through Florida

RICHARD AND JILL

SAYING GOOD BYE TO THE GANG AT THE FUEL DOCK

As we looked back over Mobile we discovered a pink haze of smog draped over the skyline. Ugh! Have no fear, we are headed in the opposite direction and the skies are sunny and clear. Oops, guess I spoke too soon. Soon we were seeing clouds of smoke from some kind of fires wafting up from several hot spots on the shores in front of us.

THE MOBILE SKYLINE HIDDEN IN THE SMOG HAZE

SMOKE FROM SEVERAL SMALL FIRES ON THE EASTERN SHORE

Now we are in the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way (GIWW) with homes again lining the shores. We thought that perhaps we would not be seeing any more tow and barges but met one right away. We sighted our first dolphin but their visit was so fleeting that we were left hungry for more.

MILE MARKER ON THE GIWW

LOVELY HOME LINING THE BANK

MEETING A TWO IN THE CHANNEL LINED WITH HOMES

We decided to make it a short day and pulled into Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores, AL where we could visit Lulu’s for dinner.

HOMEPORT, HERE WE COME

AND THERE IS LULU'S, JUST WAITING FOR US

Now Lulu’s story is an interesting one. This Alabama girl, sister to the legendary Jimmy Buffett, started a little beer and burger joint on the shores of Weeks Bay called Sunset Grill. Five years later, when the state would not renew her lease, she moved her restaurant to Gulf Shores. Now when I say she moved her restaurant, I mean she really moved it. The little establishment was loaded (lock, stock and barrel) onto a friend’s barge and transported down to its new home in Gulf Shores. Lulu (aka the Crazy Sista) has turned this once local hideaway into a tourist destination on the Gulf Intracostal Water Way. Lulu's at Homeport promotes live entertainment and the preservation of the Alabama shoreline. We were lucky to listen to the strummed cords and entertaining lyrics of Brent Burns. This weekend is the the Annual Frank Brown Songwriters' Festival where aspiring talent will meet here to show their wares.