Viv and Ken Fickett are at the helm as we go offshore. Dave and I are standing by for our shift at the helm. Dave is a friend of Ken's that volunteered to come and help us pilot the boat.
As darkness sets and we have all the electronics up and running including the radar navigation system AIS etc.
We are now running 24/7 and will continue to do so until we get to Dog River Marina in Mobile Alabama.
I'm at the helm early in the morning witnessing a beautiful sunrise. Everyone else is asleep.
The motion of the boat moving forward against the low light conditions creates a captivating view.
And suddenly the sun pops up on the horizon, its the start a new day.
And the day is beautiful with not to much traffic in the Gulf.
QC continues to make way at a solid 7 1/2 to 8 kn.
When Ken walked out into the cockpit, he found we had picked up a stowaway overnight.
Unfortunately for this flying fish (see his wings) flying aboard QC turned out to be the end for him.
Water as far as you can see!
One of the coolest things that occurred during the trip was the frequent interaction we had with porpoises. They continued to frolic and play around the boat. When they surface they turn their heads and look up at you from the water; you can't help but feel a connection with them as they pass.
There were a few fishing trawlers working the gulf.
These two were anchored stern to stern with no one on deck leading us to believe they were taking a break.
Another overnight and another sunrise.
Each day as it worked out, I had the sunrise shift at the helm. It was a struggle to fight off the urge to sleep. But as soon as the sun would rise and start a new day, the urge to sleep went away.
It's Tuesday morning and we have arrived at the Pensacola Inlet. Our fair weather window is disappearing so we decided to go into the Intercostal as we continue to make her way to Mobile Bay.
Suddenly out of the blue we heard the roar of jet engines. Being in the right place at the right time we pay front row seat for our own private showing of the Blue Angels. The team is based in Pensacola Florida and were out in the morning practicing their flight maneuvers.
Treetop flying FAST
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Flying Information..
Continued evidence of past hurricanes.
The Inter-coastal here provides just a slim strip of land between us and the ocean occupied by numerous resort developments.
Cruisers and speedboats share our space. This speed boat has an Arenson Drive like I had on my Baha boat.
If you zoom in you can see a guy tearing it up on a kite ski!
There are Inter-coastal starts to widen.
The Great Harbor N37 is Young American owned by Fred and Linda who anchored waiting another day (for the smoothest water) before they make their crossing to Mobile Bay.
More beautiful homes.
And boats...
On this strip of the Inter-coastal we are between Pensacola and Mobile Bay many beautiful marinas with high dollar boats are are stationed here. This is the backside of Gulf Shores Alabama.
This old boat has seen its better days...
Artificial reefs being made and transported.
Several very nice marinas dot this area.
This one with lots of dry dock storage.
This is LuLu Buffett's. It's a restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffett's sister. It looks like it would be a fun place on a Friday night.
The pelicans are thriving in this area.
We are excited to enter Mobile Bay. From here we know dog River Marina is only a few hours away.
Big ships occupy the space.
Suddenly we are engulfed with Seagulls (we thought we were in the sequel to the movie, "The Birds. They must have thought we were a fishing trawler, and they are looking for scraps.
I think Viv was feeding them!
Staying safe means staying out of the way of these big boys.
http://www.dogrivermarina.com/home/
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