We arrived and departed from Mobile in the space of 30 minutes. Just the time it took to cross the harbour and start across Mobile Bay to Fairhope on the eastern shore. We were aiming for a yacht club who offers transient slips on a first come first serve basis.
The yacht club is a lovely facility for day sailing but not the best for those living on their boats as wind from any direction except east drive swells right up the channel.
No east winds while we were here. Just small craft warnings (20+ knots) from the northwest. We were able to swing Moon Dance to meet the waves on the bow before we tied up. Still it was pretty rocky for three days while the front moving through in the trail of hurricane Nicole blew itself out.
When we got a break in the weather, we dropped lines early and headed out to run the length of the bay to reach the Intracoastal waterway. We ended up falling in behind another boat that was crossing from the west side. It was a local boater so knew the route. Also, he drafted 5.5 feet. We figured he could plough a channel for us if we got into shallow water. Boaters really aren’t being polite when they let another boat go first. More a case of, sending out a scout.
It was an uneventful cruise even if novel. Three hours later we were in Homeport Marina. Home of the original Lulu’s – a restaurant owned and run by Jimmy Buffett’s sister. Hence, the song cheeseburger in paradise. Interesting facts, the place serves 4,000 customers a day in the summer and the servers have health care and pension plans. I could see the allure but with temperatures hovering around freezing we didn’t have to wait in line.
The marina was blissfully calm as it is protected from wind and wakes. We caught up on laundry and restocked the cupboards. No one felt much like visiting even though there were 8-10 loopers in the marina on any given night. This was a welcome respite for everyone.
The fellow from whom we are renting dock space even dropped by. He lives in Orange Beach and has a dock on the canal behind his house. He is a marine surveyor and delivery captain among other things. We are thrilled that he will keep an eye on Moon Dance while we go home for Christmas.
All told very a very productive couple of days as John was also able to book a car using Toro so we can drive home with the dogs.
Moon Dance IV 
You seem now to be in a safe harbour. When are you heading home for Christmas? We left Friday for Burnt Store Marina and arrived today Monday 21 around 4:45. We are both weary but the trip was great. We skirted the big snow storm heading for Buffalo and had 3 great driving days and excellent charging stops. Traffic was lighter before the big Thanksgiving here starting Wednesday…we need a few days to unpack. Stock the cupboards and fridge before reconnecting with the good people we have met here. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas with your family. You will get your land legs back. We are not sure yet whether our son David will fly down. We have some friends coming to Naples next week and we will visit with them
Should you decide or are able to stop over here at Safe Harbours Burnt Store Marina …let us know. We would love to see you and of course we have a car and can help you with provisions. You’ll have to send me an email as we do not use our cell phones here/ way too expensive and really no one to call.
Keep having fun and learning never gets old.
Donna💕
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Glad you finally got away. Having walked the beaches in Alabama, we appreciated the warmer weather and sand between our toes. We will definitely look you up when we are headed down the Florida coast. We will be heading home in a few days and after New Year.
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I am so glad you had a “smooth” transit to the inter coastal. I am also happy to hear you got a chance to try Lulus. Wayne and I drove past it about five times last spring and it was always packed so we did not stop.
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