Viridian News & Views: AL

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Gone to the Dogs, Waiting Out the Weather and Other sights

Today will be a short 5-mile cruise from The Wharf Marina to our anchorage at Pirates Cove.

That's the news and here's the views:

We are here

Today's cruise from The Wharf Marina to Pirate's Cove anchorage, AL

The reason we are headed for Pirate's Cove is because a weak cold front is approaching and we want a safe and shielded anchorage to wait for the weather to pass. High winds are expected so if it was good enough for Pirates then it's good enough for us.

Alan Jackson says "It's alright to be little bitty"

Some houses along the shore from The Wharf Marina to Pirate's Cove anchorage

Looking out for Pirates behind us

Entering hidden Pirate's Cove north of Bear Point Marina on the Alabama/Florida state line

Just ONE bite

Anchor set where Pirate Ships once lay

Locals fishing on public pier north in cove

Some houses lining the north end of the cove

Some local history

Yes, we looked for skeletons

More houses in the cove

Ready for winds

Rare view without Jazzy the Dinghy attached

This has been an exceptional day for me because I've gotten to be around some of the sweetest, friendliest dogs. We went to a very pretty anchorage called Pirates Cove which is north of Orange Beach (I think). After anchoring, we deployed the dinghy and toured the surroundings.

Visiting with sweet Honey

Inside the restaurant

Jazzy

Pirate's Cove Cheeseburgers

George took these pics of the men's bathroom at the restaurant

He doesn't drink Yuengling anymore😛

Pirates Cove Cheeseburgers

Hermosa, the chiguagua

And cute Molly

😊

The anchorage

Here are some of the sights taken from Meg's camera:

Resurrection Fern in a live oak

George with the live oaks

An interesting hedge

Some of the surrounding woods

Pretty house with a lovely live oak

After we finished our burgers, two older men came over to have a alcoholic milkshake drink and had Hermosa and Molly the dogs with them. The two dogs jumped up on the bench seat, then jumped on the table and had several tastes of the drink. They were the cutest little dogs!!!!

Hermosa the chiguagua

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Shopping Day

Dog River Marina was a nice stop for us to catch up on laundry, boat maintenance, grocery shopping and fellowship with other boaters. The marina service department sent a diesel mechanic to Viridian and walked me through my first oil change.

I also had expert help from our friends we have been cruising with down the Tenn-Tom.

All went well and Viridian got us across Mobile Bay, 44 miles into the Gulf ICW, past Lulu’s Restaurant and to a marina called The Wharf. This place is on the GICW along Portage Creek just after you cross under the Foley Beach Express Bridge south of Foley, AL. We nailed a stern-first docking between boats that were as wide as we were long and we tipped our dock help from the treasure chest we keep filled with gold and silver $1 coins. The nice young man who helped get us in lit up when I gave him the 5 coins and said, "Wow! My Grandfather used to give me these.” (These coins have been somewhat of a hit with dockhands since we left.) The Wharf is a high-end marina with tons of open air shopping within walking distance from our slip. We spent the evening exploring the shops and dining with friends as another fine day on the Loop winds down.

That's the news and here's the views:

We are here

Today's route from Dog River Marina to The Wharf Marina, AL

All stocked up and ready to depart Dog River Marina

As calm as it gets on Mobile Bay

Smooth sailing on the Bay today

South down the commercial shipping channel. You can see another Looper boat on the horizon

Commercial traffic in the shipping channel. This ship was a monster but it looks tiny in the photos. We watched it come up over the horizon from the Gulf and passed on the one whistle about an hour later