Florida / Alabama State Line

Our anchorage in Pensacola was a little unprotected from the winds so we were up early and got back on the road.  It was only a short distance to the Florida / Alabama state line and only took a couple hours to complete.  Again, it was cold and windy in our face all day.

More strange structures as we left Pensacola.

This shows just how windy and choppy the water was. 

As we entered the Mobile, Alabama area, we spotted a vessel flying across the bay coming directly toward us.  As it got closer we realized it was the Alabama Marine Resources Enforcement!  We were like, "Quick, hide the Rum". We thought we were going to get our first boarding by law enforcement!

Welcome to ALABAMA!

They came right up beside us started asking questions about the boat. Turns out they where just curious and wanted to check out the Arc. 

 

They must have had a sale at the boat dealership because over half the boats at this particular condo marina where the same make and color. It was a little bizzaar.

I thought this was nice.  Most all the homes along the ICW in this area have their own docks.  This house had a matching boat dock!  Nice!

The Mobile skyline as you first enter the bay.

We continued along until we finally found a marina that had an achorage with some protection from the wind.  On the chart it's called Roberts Bayou but locally it's known as Pirates Cove.  Yep, sounds like our kind of  place. We have decided to stay here for a week or so and complete some work on the boat, catch up on paperwork, and just plain take a rest from the hard traveling we just completed.

Radar is in heaven here because this place is seriously dog friendly!  All dogs roam free ... leashes are frowned upon.  I had reservations about letting Radar loose but when in Rome...  he's done very well minding his manners and behaving.

This is the resident "Big Dog". She just finished getting her belly rubbed. Can you see her big smile?

Here the dogs are running along the beach beside us.  This dog actually swam out to our boat to visit Radar.  I'm sure Radar would have like to jump in and joined them.  But he didn't.

On Sunday, March 24th we had made arrangement to meet up with Joan, a friend of mine from high school, at Lulu's Restaurant.   We were just about to weigh anchor when we were approached yet again by Alabama's finest!  This time the Sgt. asked permission to come aboard and check out the solar / electric motor system!  Carter commented that technically, he didn't have to ask but welcome aboard. He wasn't going say no and was happy to take the time to show and explain the system to him.  The other guys told me that the Sgt. was interested in applying solar/electric to his fishing boat.  Radar, of course had to check out our visitors and boarded their boat and went all through it.  When he was done he came back on the Arc.  The guys said "We must have passed inspection!"  LOL

As we were leaving Pirate's Cove for our lunch date we were surprised to discover what a happening place it is on the weekend!

Notice the dog?

Taking pictures of them as they are taking pictures of us!

 My friend Joan took pictures of our arrival at Lulu's.

 Lulu is Jimmy Buffet's sister and we had our first "Cheeseburger in Paradise". Carter and I both agreed it was a pretty decent burger. 

Till we meet again!

Back to Pirate's Cove.