Fairhope, AL to Orange Beach, AL

Date             November 26-27, 2011

Day              151-152
Departure     Eastern Shore Marine, Fairhope, AL    9:00 am                              

Arrival          The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, AL 1:30 pm  
Miles                35.0   
Cumulative   3421.7

The forecast called for winds with gusts to 15-20 mph and a slight chop on Mobile Bay.  We hoped by leaving mid-morning the winds and waves wouldn't have built on Mobile Bay to much before we could get to the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway (GIWW).  It is hard to believe that a body of water as large as Mobile Bay it only about 12 feet deep.  You really have to pay attention to the charts as it can get shallow very quickly!  It was somewhat breezy and the chop was about three feet, but the ride was not uncomfortable; it really was quite pleasant!

Mile Marker 120.  This is the 1st marker we come to on the Intercoastal Waterway.

Ahead is the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway as it goes between land (like a canal)

Below is Lulu's Restaurant.  It is owned by Lulu Buffet.  I'm sure everyone is familiar with her famous brother, Jimmy, who is known to stop in now and then.  We didn't stop for lunch as I am told the marina we are stopping at is only 1 mile away.  As we traveled along the intercoastal waterway we saw our first dolphin, even if it was only a fleeting glance!  We saw it come to the surface ahead of us and swim by.  I saw it porpoise to the surface a couple of times and I was hoping it would turn around and follow along with us, but it kept going.  Oh well, I'm sure there will be more and you can bet I will do my best to get a picture or two of them!

Lulu Buffet's restaurant

 Here is our stop for the day, The Wharf Marina.  Unfortunately, I was given misinformation, it is 3 1/2 miles from Lulu's and is on the other side of the waterway, besides.  The marina does not have a courtesy car, the manager will let you use hers but we chose not to.  So we skipped eating at Lulu's and ate at the restaurant at the marina, Shucker's Oyster Bar, which was very good.

The shopping area right behind the marina has started to decorate for Christmas

I'm not sure which looks more out of place, the Christmas decorations or the palm trees!

The next day, Sunday, was rainy mostly all day so we stayed tied to the dock.  However, just as the sun was going down, it started to clear!