Finally...... Off and Running

Today, March 4th, we finally left Dog River Marina after being there for six weeks mostly on the hard and a while in the water where a boat belongs. At 9:30 AM we pulled away from the dock after fueling up and topping off the water supply. What a moment of excitement that was for us!

The preparation for today was completed to the extent we were aware and off we went. We had completed a sea trial the day before where all went well. This took us out into the main shipping channel to check out systems and experience how the intracoastal marker system works. At times we had an unexpected passenger.

There were clear blue skies and light winds when departing.

The boat performed well and we hope that the depth sounder is accurate as in many places it read only 8' or there abouts. At home at that depth we would turn around and leave.... but here it is a way of life. We have something new to get used to and it also emphasizes the need to keep an close eye on the depth sounder.

Once in the shipping channel today we immediately experienced our first barge passage.

After entering ICW... intracoastal waterway... at the southeast end of Mobile Bay...

 we passed some locally iconic places. One is LuLu's which is a casual restaurant complete with outdoor recreation areas including volleyball courts. It is owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister and always has some type of activity going on. We did not stop today since we had eaten there before when we were touring in our rented car.

Across the waterway is  Tacky Jack's which is also a very entertaining place to go.          

Our destination today was a private dock owned by a boater that Bob met at Dog River Marina. He is a local gentleman who was having the bottom of his boat redone by DRM. We talked about boats, etc a number of times and as we were getting close to departing he said that we could stay at his private dock at his summer home that was along our way. So we did. What a great spot to stay on our first  night out. We had to enter a small canal to get there...

and once there it was totally delightful.

When walking the property we found the nesting platform that he had built for the local ospreys. He said that it took them about 4 years to get used to it being there before they would actually nest there.                           

                    

In front of their home they have the classic beach access and dock for the southern coastal area. The sand is as white as it looks.                                                                          

We enjoyed a little first day out in a really unique place with a nice dinner,  a glass of wine, and a beautiful sunset. Thank you David and Elaine for your generous hospitality.

Nautical Word For The day: [from seatalk.info]

Watertight:                                                        

1. Having the strength and ability to keep out water.

From Great Loop Jargon:                                       

    2. An excellant characteristic if you are a frog.