No Longer Mobile -- We're Stationary in Mobile, AL

November 13-December 2, 2011

Looks like we may be here for two weeks!  We arrived in Mobile on Friday the 11th.  Brian wants to have the engine checked as preventative maintenance.  The marina has a Caterpillar mechanic, but he feels that he needs a specialist to look at the valve guides and injectors.  Well, Murphy's Law is still at work in the universe, that special mechanic is on vacation this week.  And, next week is Thanksgiving; so that's a short week.  No one is saying when the engine will be looked at.  Can't complain.... the weather has been occasionally stormy in the mornings, but sunny in the afternoon with temperatures in the 70's and 80's.  We rented a car for a week and are taking little day trips to see the area.  Many of the surrounding towns would be missed once we are under way so we're taking a look at them the conventional way.  Jennifer and her family are in Dallas.  We figure we'll take advantage of the delay and go there for Thanksgiving.  It will be great to see the four of them! 
As of November 15th we've been on the boat for six months.  Still no complaints and all of the things that we got rid of are still not missed or needed.   My mantra is simplify your life!   
 

Our marina is on the west side of Mobile Bay and just south of Highway 10. 
We've visited Pensacola, Pascagoula, Biloxi and Gulfport.

Fairhope, AL voted one of the top places to retire.
A team of horticulturists replant the  
flowers regularly to match the seasons.
This small town is across the bay. 
Streets are lined with cute shops and restaurants. 

Charming downtown Pensacola with
wrought iron balconies overlooking
main street. 

Restored historical district in Pensacola.
A mixture of homes and businesses --
mostly attorney's offices.  What does that mean?

The Famous LuLu's!!!
Jimmy Buffet's sister's restaurant is a must when
traveling by boat or car.  We will go right
by here on the boat and stop if the timing is right.

Near Loxley -- a field of cotton.
Also saw peanuts being harvested, but
couldn't get a photo. It was a huge tractor engulfed
in a swirling cloud of dirt. 

Bales of cotton the size of a tractor trailers.
No pallets under them... 
How do they lift & move them?

We're trying to eat our meals in small local
restaurants.  Great seafood, lots of local color and lots
of mounted trophy fish.  I think the wife says "you
are not putting that thing in the house" and so
he opens a restaurant... a great spot for his
trophies and to hang out with his buddies.

These mammoth trees are all over this part of the
state.  The base of the trunk has a diameter of at
least 7 feet.  The limbs have a fern type moss
growing on them.  They might be live oaks.  If
anyone knows, please enlighten me.

An oil drilling platform being refurbished.
They must be considered a boat.  It has
vessel numbers on the side.

A favorite style of architecture down here.
Note the double staircase going up to the front porch.
One more thing that I don't understand.......
Maybe for symmetry.

Katrina did a lot of damage in Biloxi and
 Gulfport, Mississippi.  Lot after lot only has
a driveway or a parking lot. 
Houses, hotels and restaurants are still not rebuilt.

Wide white sandy beach in Beloxi at sundown.

OK, I got the facts about the enormous trees.
They are live oaks and those are air ferns that
grow on the limbs.  The ferns don't hurt the
tree like Spanish Moss does.  Spanish Moss
is a parasite and will eventually kill the host.
   

All of the green is one tree.  This is the Duff Oak.
It is the oldest live oak in the Mobile area.
The pictures don't do it justice --

Renovated Dauphin Street in Mobile is
on the historical registry. 
In the background a towering skyscraper.

The antebellum Bragg-Mitchell Mansion was built
in 1855 and was the center of social life when
'cotton was king'. 
The mansion still has a busy social life hosting
weddings and giving historical tours. 

We no longer tie up to cleats.  Now that we are in
tidal water I have to lasso these fat pylons. 
Next stop will be the rodeo!
The tide changes the water depth by about a foot.   

It was a 10 hour drive from Mobile to Dallas and 10 hours back to Mobile, but it was definitely worth it.  We had a great visit with Jennifer and her family.  You'll have to indulge me as I share a few family photos. 

Christopher finishing his swim lesson. 
He has decided that he wants to be on the
swim team when he gets older.

JAC thinks that black bean soup can be used
for facials.

Taking part in Dallas's favorite sport...shopping.
Black Friday -- we're in the thick of it!

Luckily the turkey had two legs....

JAC, Jennifer, Ian and Christopher

Trying to decide where to put the next ornament.

The tree is decorated -- time to add the star.

A very serious musician.
It took longer to get the violin
in position than to play the song.

December 1st

Brian changed all of the hoses on the engine last night and the thermostats.  Of course, the job took a bit longer than expected.  He came to bed at 7:00 AM and had to get up at 8:30 because the mechanics came this morning to do their repairs.  Everything looks good....except Brian--he looks pretty tired!  They adjusted the valves and said not to worry about the other stuff.  Yea!!!  We leave tomorrow morning.  We have been here for three whole weeks.  Not a bad place to spend some time, but we are looking forward to getting on our way again.  

Had dinner with two other couples tonight and one of them knows our good friends Didi and Peter.  We met Didi and Peter in Demopolis two years ago when we took our other boat to Florida.  They all met in Canada.  What a small world we live in! 

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!