12 Mar 13

Up at 06:00 and away from the dock at 06:45. Talk about COLD!?! I had on eight layers of clothing and was still cold all day. Forecast for the wind was N 8 - 10, so naturally it was ENE 10 - 15, shifting to NNE 15 - 20, which made for a brisk day. We managed to get the foresail up by the time we got into Mississippi Sound and motor-sailed for the rest of the day. We saw a few dolphins throughout the day, which made a pleasant change. Mobile Bay was a bit rougher than the sound, but tolerable. We also saw a number of tug/barges, nearly all headed east; I guess they were waiting for the front to pass, same as us. We got into the ICW on the east side of Mobile Bay about 14:00, and it was really pretty - pine trees right down to the bank and nice houses on both sides. We made it into Homeport Marina by 15:00, and the 2nd folding bike was waiting for us there. Fueled up, then moved into our slip. We had dinner at Lulu’s, which was OK, but crowded with the spring break crowd from BAMA and the surrounding counties. But, we can now cross that one off the list.

13 Mar 13

Easy day in Gulf Shores. We commissioned the second bike and went for a couple of rides: one to fill up the propane tank and another to get some groceries. Such is the life of a cruising couple. Afterward, washed off some of the accumulated salt from the deck and topsides of the boat; it looks much better now. Then, topped the water tanks. Dinner aboard - another excellent batch of Terri’s jambalaya. Guess we will move on down the road tomorrow; we are ready for a few quiet nights on the hook.