WE MADE IT!!! YAYAYAY!

Made what? We have completed America's Great Loop! We crossed our wake at the bottom of Mobile Bay, Alabama at 11.21am this morning.
See that pole with the birds on it? That is the mark that says we cross our wake at this point! There just happens to be a shrimp boat in the photo:) Nice going...is that a photobomb? hmm....

 We hadn't actually planned to leave, this morning. With some chance of rain in the next two days, and the prospect of watching the weekend antics of The Blue Angels parked out in Pensacola Bay, we were going to sign on for another two nights. We actually went to the office to do that, but the attendant was too busy sitting on his butt and talking on the phone. We won!

On the way to the office, we met with Steve and Ginger who were emptying the Lazarette on their lovely 59ft Marquis ready for new batteries being installed tomorrow...well, today.

They were good value, and we invited them to join us for dinner, last night, but they were pretty wiped out after their journey yesterday.

We borrowed the courtesy car again yesterday, from noon to two. We had to make a trip to West Marine for some part or other (ask Waz) and on the way there we found a starbucks...woohoo!! and a sushi bar....more woohoos! lol. Being warm, we enjoyed our frappucino, and then a sushi special, which we ended up taking home with us as the car was due back. We had also gone to Marshalls and Sams club ...again. Waz had booked the car again for 6-8pm, so that we could go across the river again, for dinner. We invited Cindy and Grant, from 'As the Crow Flies', and thoroughly enjoyed their company, as well as the food.

The restaurant was directly across the river from the boat, and we had a lovely view of both our boats, from there.

We were all a bit too tired to enjoy a coffee together afterwards, and said our goodbyes as we arrived at the marina. Cindy and Grant are docked at the end of the finger we are on.

We made the decision to leave when we got up this morning. The boat behind us left a good half hour before we left the dock, and Cindy and Grant came by to help us get off, and untied the lines.


Casting off the lines with virtually no wind, was a blessing. Easy! That's the 59ft Marquis, on the fuel dock. The 1980 Hatteras on the left, is for sale $139k! She went out twice while we were there, showing potential clients, we figured.
 Cindy and Grant waving goodbye

 The gap left on the dock, with our leaving.

 ...and we are off down the Dog River, and under the bridge. At least we have some water under us here...!

It was a different matter when we had cleared the bridge, and were back out in the shallows and narrow channel out to the main Alabama Shipping Channel, which we had decided  to follow for the most part, to the ICW.

 Three shags sitting on the green marker we turned south at, coming out of the Dog River channel.

 There is lots of water, as long as you stay in the shipping channel. The minute you leave the channel, it is very shallow again.

  We have just joined the ICW at the bottom of the bay, and crossed our wake one minute earlier! Back to shallow channels!

 Bon Secour Bay leads eastward to the mouth of the river that takes us into Oyster bay, ahead, in this photo. We were so happy to be accompanied for part of the way through Bon Secour, by several pods of Dolphin. We are also happy to be back in familiar territory.

 In the Bon Secour channel, coming out to Oyster Bay, straight ahead.

 

 On the ICW is this restaurant (LuLu's) owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister. One of the boats we are familiar with, is parked at their dock. Even though there was room at the dock this year, we didn't stop for lunch...we were already enjoying a spinach, walnut, pear, tomato, romaine and blue cheese salad. yummy! The owners of this boat are making a voyage that might be her final one. She has been doing heavy chemo, while on the boat, and struggles some days. Her brain tumor was removed, but she isn't in the clear and said the prognosis is not good. We wish them well, and hope her health improves so she can enjoy the adventure they always wanted.

 The Wharf Marina was very busy with Loopers, this time last year, but we only saw one Looper boat that we recognized, this time.

We planned to anchor in Ingram Bayou, and were happy to find it wasn't occupied, when we pulled in. Nice to be back in a place we so enjoyed this time last year. I guess that will be the theme, from hereon in.??

It would have been nice to sit back and put my feet up, this afternoon, but no such luck. I have been making a large pot of ham hock based soup. Lots of lentils, beans, and vegetables to finish off the yummy smokey broth. It has meant I didn't sit down until 4pm! phew! This soup is important for lunch while we are on the road.

It is getting dark, as I write, and Waz just turned the anchor light on. We are watching the news and in a few minutes I will get up and make the dinner. I have had some pork chops sitting in the fridge, for a few days now, and it needs to be cooked. I might also make some sautéed cabbage and a mushroom sauce to go with the Tonkatsu....panko breaded pork cutlet...boneless.

I am tired...well, actually...I feel bone weary! I wish we had stayed at Dog River for those two other nights. It is a real push on, from here to make the Gulf of Mexico crossing, in the next week, as there will be a suitable crossing window for the weather.

I wonder if we can take time out in Panama city???
Will let you know.
I'm off to put some food together.
Ciao for now. We are happy cruisers, having achieved our 2014 goal of completing The Loop.