Of Pelicans, Good Friends and the Blue Angels

. . . Mobile and Pensacola Bays

It’s the Blue Angels' fault that we’re behind in our blog. Or maybe it’s our trigger-happy fingers on the camera while they practiced, causing us to have hundreds of pictures to go through before we could post the trip update.

Let’s turn the calendar back to Friday, October 19. After gawking at the huge cargo ships being loaded or in dry dock at the Port of Mobile, we passed by the pretty Mobile skyline. When we entered Mobile Bay, we were in saltwater, starting on a totally different phase of our sail south.

The Port of Mobile is the ninth largest port in the United States, with a $10 billion
impact on the state economy.

Downtown Mobile is a short distance from the port. It's home to the original Mardi Gras
and is a sane version of New Orleans (sorry, N.O.).

Bob and Trish taking in all the ships at the Port of Mobile.

New Boat Name: Pogo-Pelican  (instead of Pogopelli)

Bob and Trish must have done something to upset one of the many pelicans flying around or maybe it was the pelican’s way of saying, “Howdy, ya’ll!” Bob said what got his attention was the sound of something raining on his bimini and open companionway.  Then he noticed the smell of recently digested fish.  And finally he saw the spray all over everything.  We’re a little leery of pelicans now.  It's one of those things that's very funny unless it happens to you.

A Grand Stop at the Grand Mariner

Our planned stop for two nights and a full day was the Grand Mariner Marina, south of Mobile.  It was a friendly, flip-flop-wearing, laid-back place where everyone was a friend or would be soon. The Grand Mariner has its own restaurant – a definite plus after weeks of cooking aboard. The only problem was when Jane got a bad muscle spasm, probably from laughing so hard at Pogo’s bimini the day before.

By the start of our first day at the Grand Mariner, we were on a
first-name basis with everyone.

Sails UP

It was a relief to raise the sails, becoming a real sailboat again. Pogo Bob and Trish captured some good pictures of Carina as we sailed near them. At about the time they began shooting, the dolphins decided to put on a show, leaping into the air in front of Carina. Just as he saw it developing, Bob switched to video. If he puts it up on YouTube, we’ll post a link.

Carina at sail in Mobile Bay right before the dolphin show began.
(Photo by Bob and/or Trish, on Pogopelli, aka Pogo-Pelican)

Tiki Bar Bob

From Mobile Bay, we headed into some easy days. Before reaching the end of Mobile Bay, we turned left into the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW), anchoring at Ingram Bayou one night and docking at Bear Point Marina the next. Bob entertained the people at the Tiki bar.

Bob was sort of an open mike walk-on at the Bear Point Marina Tiki Bar.

Blue Angels and Bonfires

One of the most amazingly beautiful anchorages, Big Lagoon, was next on the plan. Other good sailing friends – Paul on Hooligan, John and Anita on Outrageous – arrived there about the same time we did. The raft-up turned into a party, a good time to catch up on everyone’s activities since we’d seen them last.

The next morning, the loud roar of the jet engines soon had us all on our decks watching the Blue Angels practice for their annual homecoming performance.  It was an exceptionally long practice with loops and a fireworks-looking formation.  Many, many, many photos later, the Navy precision air team landed. 

You can see the team better in the photos than with your eyes. They fly just a few feet apart in their formations. They are truly amazing --highly skilled and gutsy.

The Blue Angels gave us our very own air show. For more pictures, click on:https://picasaweb.google.com/115770960046090306716/USNavyBlueAngelsPractice?authkey=Gv1sRgCKiI2LLk36uZdQ.

John and Anita had brought three packs of firewood for a bonfire on shore that night. A bonfire at Big Lagoon has been a tradition for years. We perfected the art of bonfire that night, learning that wood doesn’t have to be removed from its package. The package can be burned with it.

Bob plays and sings at the bonfire with the sun setting. We're betting he
sang a John Prine song or two.

The next stop was Pensacola. We docked Carina, but not without problems – Kent had a muscle spasm, too. Can they be contagious?!

Pogo and Carina at dock in Pensacola.

Like the Clampets of Beverly Hills fame, we filled our rental car to the brim, almost put Granny on top, and drove back to Tennessee for a five-day break. 

The dinghy was put on Carina's foredeck during our absence.  We will continue to tow it until we start to cross the Gulf to Tarpon Springs.  Then it will be folded up and secured to the lifeline stanchions.  

Carina has performed without problems, much to our relief.  We have gained confidence in her and also in our ability to maneuver, anchor, and such.  That's good because now it's just us and Squirt.  After a get-together with more good friends in Florida on Saturday, we’ll say bye to our sailing buddies and sail out on our own for awhile.  

NEXT: What We’ve Learned So Far, Part I