Dog River Days

Our trip to Minnesota for Christmas was wonderful and our three weeks in Orlando went by in a blur. It is, however, good to be back aboard Mystic, our Alberg 35, here at Turner Marine in Mobile, Alabama. We were off the boat for a six week detour.

Turner Marine view from top of Dog River Bridge

Mystic at Turner Marine

View of Mystic from top of
Dog River Bridge

Several of our friends are here including Scott and Rhonda (Mucho Gusto), Henry and Mickey the cat (Sea Marie), Cynthia and Byron (Bright Angel), Ernie (Gratefull II), Susan and David (Veritas) and Mac and Charlie (Bonnie Jean). We have met several new friends as well. Wednesday is pot luck night at Turner's. Everyone brings a dish to share, something to grill and your beverage of choice. These gatherings are popular and often our best chance to catch up with other live aboard folks at the marina. The food has been great and the company has been wonderful. Everyone has a story to share, often with information we all can use!

Mickey the Cat

Henry taking pictures at the Pot Luck

Susan and David (Veritas) Gluten free brownies

We finally got our mast stepped and made Mystic a sailboat once again. We had her hauled out so we could inspect and power wash her bottom while she was in the sling. We can't say enough about the folks here at Turner. Wes, the rigger, knows his stuff and made fast work of getting our stick up and secured. Roger, the marina manager, runs the harbor hoist and is a wealth of info for all our boating needs. Turner Marine is a great stopping point for Loopers. They are professional and reasonably priced.

(Pictures by Scott Joiner)

Sailboat Mystic returning to her slip at Turner Marine

Turner Marine is in a remote area of Mobile with few amenities. The closest store is a Dollar General only about a mile away, but you have to cross the Dog River bridge on a two lane highway to get there. The marina does have a courtesy car, an old Jeep Durango that struggles out of first gear, creaks and groans and sucks gasoline. The seat moves back and forth on the track whenever you put the brakes on, but at least we have access to transportation. In addition, Enterprise offers a great weekend rate of $36.00 for a Friday through Monday rental. The only limitation is 300 miles.

The Marinas of Dog River

Turner Marine Arial View

I'm able to get runs in by making my way around and through the several marinas. After a number of measured runs, I found a course that is 1.25 miles per loop. I only have to run 4 loops to get a 5 miler in. I'd love to run over the Dog River bridge except the one time I tried to go on Dauphin Island Parkway a local yokel, in a dilapidated pickup truck, threw a big gulp at me. It missed my face by a foot but splashed me with nasty liquid after hitting the ground. I was not happy, and there may have been a bit of unladylike language thrown back, but at least I didn't pick up a rock! My Uncle Ron told me not to feel too badly about it. In fact, he said, girls down here like that kind of stuff. Made me laugh! I'm not really sure that he was joking though!!!

Alligator hanging out along my running route

Egret's favorite spot along my run

View of Mobile Bay from Helen Wood Park

View of Mobile Bay on my runs

Dave and I love to walk the docks at sunset. Often, other boaters are sitting on deck enjoying the evening as well. It's a very peaceful way to end our day!

Sunset over Dog River

When we can, we like to go to the beach to watch the sun set. The beaches here are free to visit, no fee for parking. They are popular, even in the quiet winter months. The sand is that gorgeous white sugar sand. The setting sun fills us with promise!