Day 55: Have You Ever Been on a Shrimp Boat?

"No, but I've been on a really Big boat..."

-Forest Gump

Today we rode through the seafood capital of Alabama, Bayou la Batre, also the home of "Bubba" Blue who inspired Forest Gump to start the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company.  And they had a lot of shrimp boats there!!

From there we rode highway 188 east then south on highway 193 over the bridge to Dauphin Island.  It was a beautiful clear, crisp and cool autumn day.  At Dauphin Island we stopped for a quick snack and ended up missing the 11:00 a.m. ferry by 1 minute!!  The next ferry wasn't until 12:30 p.m. so we took our time, checking out Fort Gaines.  I learned that most people misunderstood what Admiral Farragut said as he steamed into Mobile Bay....

It was really "Damn the Torpedoes, I'm going to the head!!" (quote from Rick's late sailing friend, Tony Mance).

The ferry ride over to Fort Morgan was an enjoyable 45 minutes.  We were flanked by a band of dolphins and flocks of pelicans.  And we were surprised to learn that just a little over a year ago, on June 14, 2011, President Barrack Obama had been on this very same ferry!!

Rick spent time in his career talking to Air Force 1; he got a big kick out of seeing this "Ferry 1"!!

The last twenty plus miles was a cruise into Gulf Shores, Alabama's "Redneck Riviera".  It was a beautiful ride; the coastline was spotted with many vacation homes and closer into Gulf Shore, high-rise condominiums.  I have never seen sand as white as this.  It truly looks like granulated sugar!

We picked our motel out specifically to be in close proximity to the famous "Lulu's", restaurant of Lucy Anne Buffet, sister of "the" Jimmy Buffet.  There we feasted on a huge platter of deep fried crab claws and okra.  (Beer selection not the greatest but great atmosphere and even a live band -- the first we've heard on this trip!).

Tomorrow morning we will forge on to the LAST STATE of this trip - FLORIDA!!  We hope to make it to Pace or Milton.  Wow, the last state -- it's hard to believe!

Total miles today:  55.86
Time:  3:39
Avg:  15.3  (not too shabby considering our trailer was back with us today!)