Mobile to Ingram Bayou

It is exactly four months to the day of our arrival in Mobile, Alabama that we cast our lines and shoved off for the next chapter of this adventure, The Great Loop. It was hard saying goodbye. Our neighbor, Gary from Canada, left before us with Chrissy Dog. He is traveling on his sailboat Ariel however he chose to leave his mast behind. They are headed East toward Florida, just as we are. I think we'll have to keep an eye on them!

Gary waving Goodbye

Gary and Chrissy aboard Ariel leave Turner Marine

Beth waving goodbye
photo by the Millers
on Bright Angel

Mystic leaving Turner Marine
Photo by the Millers
on Bright Angel

One of our favorite Marina friends, Jerry, stopped by to chat with us then asked if he could help with our lines. He stood at our dock, quietly watching us go. I waved heartily and took photos of him. Jerry is 91 and wants to go cruising in his beautiful Oceanus 37. He just bought this new to him Beneteau and plans to rename her Marie L after the love of his life! We will miss our daily chats with Jerry!

Dave and Jerry

Jerry and Beth

We so loved getting to know this man!

Jerry watching from Mystic's slip #16

Marie L, Jerry's new Beneteau

We were delighted to see Cynthia and Byron Miller on Bright Angel waving us off and taking photos of our departure. We first met them in Columbus, Mississippi and have really enjoyed getting to know them in Mobile. Cynthia made me a beautiful dish towel for Mystic. She calls the towels “Good Lil’s” because they are good little dryers! I know she expects me to use it but it’s so pretty I may just want to hang it as a work of art!

Cynthia & Byron waving farewell

Cynthia Lyn-Gray Miller

Byron Miller

Beautiful work by Cynthia Lyn-Gray Miller "Good Lil' dishcloth"

Marsha, aboard Faith, stepped up into the cockpit as we passed! I could picture her looking out Faith's porthole and noticing Mystic moving out of her slip. She popped up with hand in the air, waving farewell. My heart filled with emotion! We loved chatting with Tom and Marsha!

Marsha aboard Faith

We heard hollering from the dock and saw the Germans, Uver and Eva, waving wildly and yelling “Goodbye, Good luck!” They are traveling aboard a beautiful converted fishing boat that they picked up in Nova Scotia. It is bright red! We enjoyed sharing stories with them during their short stay at Turner Marine.

Uver and Eva's boat

Nova Scotia Trawler

We’d already said farewell to Joe and Nana (short for Norma) last night. This lovely couple are restoring a sailboat that they purchased for $500. Joe is a welder and has taken on work at Turner Marine which will help them stay aboard their boat while they make it their own. We sure are going to miss each and every one of our marina friends!

Nana & Joe

Jerry passed the last dock line to me at Turner Marine around 9:00 am. We headed next door to Dog River Marina to get fuel. The fuel dock manager was quite the character and kept us there chatting about old boats for a half hour. We finally peeled ourselves away and headed out into Mobile Bay.

Mystic approaching the Dog River Bridge

The last time we were on Mobile bay we got our butts kicked with five foot waves hitting us broadside. Today would be different with calm seas and little wind; but you don’t just forget those bad experiences. We entered the bay with trepidation but it turned out to be an easy day as far as weather and bay conditions go. There was far more boat traffic than we are used to, but that is only going to get worse as we make our way down the Florida Gulf Coast.

Fishing trawler in Mobile Bay

Obstruction

Moving along the bay, we were fascinated by the Pelicans diving completely underwater to catch fish. At one point, we were surrounded by three or four dozen pelicans, terns and gulls that were in a feeding frenzy! It was amazing to watch. These interludes from nature fill our days and fill us with excitement and joy. It’s very cool to be a part of the big picture. We spend about 95% of our day outside and try to soak in everything we can.

We made it to our anchorage at Ingram Bayou in six and a half hours, traveling 44.9 miles. The anchorage is lovely and quiet.  Boaters seem to come here to catch their breath, relax and enjoy being on the water, just off of the ICW. When we first arrived, we could hear loud music coming from the beach side. It quieted after dark!

View at our Ingram Bayou anchorage, sunken barge

Ingram Bayou view facing ICW

The boat handled well except for a tinny vibration coming from the engine. Dave figured it to be the grounding brush bar that had vibrated loose. He tightened it down and the noise went away. We had no indication that we’d be in a different situation with the engine the next day. Of course, that’s how life is when you are cruising. If it can break...it eventually will!

We got our feet wet today. It felt great to be moving on to new places and new experiences. Onward we go!

A special shout out to my dear uncles Fred Dailey and Ron Smith. We will miss you two more than words can convey. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the time you shared with us. We enjoyed every minute!

Our beloved Uncles Ron & Fred