TOUR AMERICA, 2020: SUMMERDALE, ALABAMA, HEART OF DIXIE

Places We Have Called Home In 2020

Home Is Where We Park It:  Escapees Rainbow Plantation, Summerdale, Alabama

September 2, 2020

Temperature 89 Degrees

Welcome Center

A Cruise On Mobile Bay

Today was our day to run the roads, or to put it another way it was time to go sightseeing.

When we awoke it was a picture perfect day and we were anxious to get on the road.  Ms. Barbara quickly made some sandwiches for a picnic lunch, we filled the thermos with ice tea, I grabbed the camera and away we went.

This was our first stop.  In the past we have found that such a center usually offers a wealth of information regarding an area you want to visit.

Now how neat is this?  This dolphin sculpture is the first thing you see when you turn into the parking lot.

Another interesting sculpture on the lobby wall.

A very unique turtle sculpture on the floor of the lobby.  And that is it for the Welcome Center.  The remainder of it is shut down due to the COVID-19 virus.  Yes, the front desk was staffed and we were able to obtain a few brochures, but oh the treasure trove of goodies that was roped off.

Time to move on.  There were two objectives we wished to accomplish today: visit Fort Morgan Historical Site; and, take a cruise on Mobile Bay.  The first I’ll share with you tomorrow.  The second I’ll share with you now.

Since our Alaska Cruise has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus I promised Ms Barbara I would find a way to make it up to her.

Perhaps not quite as exotic or glamorous but all in all we would still be taking a cruise across Mobile Bay.

Ms Barbara at the window to obtain our cruise package, i.e. our tickets for the ferry trip.

Our cruise ship, the ferry Fort Morgan.

Waiting with other passengers to board.  A nice thing about a cruise such as this is you can travel light.

Now as we were waiting to board we noticed that there didn’t appear to be any benches or seats of any type.  Since this was going to be a round trip of over an hour that could be an issue.  Ms Barbara was already tired and I knew standing that long would be hard on her.  But not to worry, I was able to secure for my sweetheart

the last and only outside cabin with a fantastic view of the bay!

A sailing we will go!  Oh what a glorious day.  The waters were calm.  The sky clear blue.  And a wonderful breeze coming off the water to keep one cool.

Structures like this are found in numerous locations on the bay.  I did a little internet digging and discovered that they are gas wells.  There are no oil wells on the bay.

Passing our sister ship on the way to Dauphin Island.

The Coast Guard station on Dauphin Island.

Entering the slip at Dauphin Island.

Loading up at Dauphin Island for the return trip to Fort Morgan.

Heading out of the channel for the return trip to Fort Morgan.

Over and now going back everything had been picture perfect.  Then Bud came into the picture.  Striking up a conversation with him we discovered he was there to fix the steering system.  What!  Not to worry he said It was just a minor issue and we shouldn’t worry about a thing.  I guess it was because we did return home safe and sound.

 There is something about being on the water that is just so soothing.  Even a ferry cruise can calm and refresh the soul.

Our welcoming committee when we returned to Fort Morgan.

OK, more to come tomorrow when I’ll share with you our trip to Fort Morgan.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement.  The best part of the whole day?  We enjoyed it together.  Yup, hand in hand we sailed the waters of Mobile Bay.  So what say you?  Did I keep my word to my sweetheart?  A cruise is a cruise regardless of the vessel or the waters it sails!

Thanks for joining us today.  We always appreciate your company and your comments. Keep safe, keep healthy, enjoy the day that God has given you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

PS:  We’re still going on our Alaska Cruise, we just don’t when