Damn the Torpedoes

"Damn the Torpedoes!- Full speed ahead!"

That was the battle cry of Admiral David Farragut as he began the Battle of Mobile Bay. The three week navel and land conflict resulted in the capture of Fort Gaines, 2 other forts and the Confederate Fleet by Union forces during what Southerners call "The War of Secession" not the Civil War as the Northerners knew it. That was back in 1865.

It was much more quiet last Friday the 25th of Feb. when we traveled with our friends Al and Joyce, around the whole of Mobile Bay.
The day started with me checking the weather forecast for Dauphin Island (the center of the trip) and finding mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. Luckily Al looked outside and declared it to be a beautiful day. He was right, those weather guys should look out their window more often. It turned out to be one of the most enjoyable days so far this winter.

We left the campground just after 8am and soon we were exploring Fort Morgan on the east side of the Bay. We then caught the 10:30 ferry to Dauphin Island (Isle Dauphine was named after the heir of Louis XIV of France) where we had time to have a look at Fort Gaines (The fort protecting the west side of the bay). Back in 1718, the Island was the Capital of the vast French Louisiana Territory. The Island and area have had 6 different flags flying over it in the past. Of course that doesn't count any aboriginals that were there before.  We had a good lunch at a local Pub (sort of) where both Al and I enjoyed a bowl of seafood Gumbo. Then we went to a bakery for coffee and dessert.
Getting off the island isn't as much fun as the ferry was. It's just a causeway and the odd bridge.

                                The map shows our trip. We started near the Civil War Trail sign above.

Off the Island we found many boat building facilities. Al drove past one sign that said "Authorized Persons Only" and "Hard Hats and Safety Glasses Required" so we could have an up close and personal with some of the ships. Everyone was friendly until a guy in a white hard hat suggested we leave. Joyce had protested loudly when we drove in. I just sat there minding my own business (and taking the odd picture).
We continued North West through the Bayou's where many crops are grown  including the king of the south, Cotton. On through the city of Mobile where we could see all the Mardi Gras preparations.

Downtown Mobile as we sped through.

On the east side of Mobile; Battleship Memorial Park is another place we should visit.

We spent a day at the beach last week. The sun was warm but it was windy.

The BP crews are still working to collect tar balls from the recent oil spill. Carolyn picked one up and they took it and suggested we not do that while giving her a wet wipe to clean her hands.

We found this one too but didn't pick it up.

Back on the 19th of Feb. Carolyn officially became  a senior(yea, the cheque is in the mail) To celebrate a  dozen of us descended on  McGuire's, an Irish pub in Pensacola Florida. They are famous for their Senator Bean soup (18 cents with a meal) and Carolyn's fave, Bushnel whiskey bread pudding.






Mardi Gras is fast approaching. hopefully I'll have more pictures after that.

Pat and Carolyn