New landscape!
Cruising down the river we saw alligators and now we are cruising with dolphins! As we got closer to Mobile Bay it became increasingly busier with tug and cargo ships. We passed many interesting Naval boats in the process of being built or repaired. The port is hustling with ships in and out, although not when compared with what we came from in NYC.
Naval ships being built and repaired .
Turner Marine did not have pump out facilities so we had to go to Dog River Marina. That marina is an AGLCA sponsor, however, they no longer take reservations and since we are five boats traveling together we could not risk not getting in. We stopped there for a pump out. The dock hand was neither friendly or helpful. The hose reached our boat but did not seem to be working since it was so slow. We gave the hose to Chris who used it successfully so we took it back. It worked, although painfully slow.
Sunset the first night at the marina.
Getting to Turner Marine we realized they had fixed docks with a 2' tidal swing. Out came the ladder for us to get on and off. That ladder has been most helpful in our travels. The marina did not have a courtesy car so the first night we Ubered to a restaurant across the river. It was The Grand Mariner in the Grand Marina. There were about 30 loopers eating dinner there at several tables. It was nice to see familiar faces. We did not know of this marina when we made reservations and I am not sure they take them. But if we ever came back this way I would stay here.
Ellwood, a resident on one of the liveaboard boats.
Turner Marine and Dog River Marina had many looper boats waiting for service. They are back logged with it. We saw Rick from Rama, who was also waiting on service at Dog River. Many sailboats were getting there masts stepped.
On Thursday, we all caught up on laundry. I started my wash on the boat and after the first load the dryer stopped working. I did all the wash on the boat and transported to the dryers at the marina. Another project for Hal to fix, 😳. Since the washer/dryer is 20 years old we are going to replace it. That will be a big project and also a feat to get one ordered.
Hal worked on the shaft seals while we were here because they seem to have a slow drip. After pulling them back, he saw they were full of grime and dirt from the river water. Hopefully that was the easy fix.
A view from their porch.
We met Steve and Ann on New Adventure. They had been at Columbus Marina and Kingfisher Marina at the same times as us, however we had never met. They were really nice and joined us for dinner at the Mobile Yacht Club. We had a delicious meal there. One of the better restaurants we have dined at so far.
At the marina was the sister ship Lollipop, although the owners were not aboard so we couldn't meet them or see the boat. Amazing to have three out of the 19 boats in one spot.
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