11-9-16 to 11-11-16 Mobile Bay. We made it to Salt Water!

11-9-16 to 11-11-16 Mobile Bay. We made it to Salt Water!

What an exciting day!

The landscape changed quickly.  First the swamp, then the Harbor/Industrial area right out into Mobile Bay.

This guy flew by so close to the boat I almost couldn't get this picture because I had the zoom lens on. Brown Pelican's are not as shy as White Pelicans.
This guy flew by so close to the boat I almost couldn’t get this picture because I had the zoom lens on. Brown Pelican’s are not as shy as White Pelicans.
This is the entrance to the harbor at Mobile Bay. We went from swam to this very quickly.
This is the entrance to the harbor at Mobile Bay. We went from swam to this very quickly.

 

It was so exciting to see the Ocean liners, Military Ships, Ships being built, Container ships and were driving our little boat right through it all.

It looks like they are building a Helicopter pad for this research vessel
It looks like they are building a Helicopter pad for this research vessel
This ship is being built. It appears they were testing the abandon ship slide.
This ship is being built. It appears they were testing the abandon ship slide.

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When we got to the bay we were like giddy little kids. There were shrimp boats and fishing boats. The sun glistened off the water like diamonds. What a joyous day!

This was one of the first boats we saw. It is a shrimp boat. The sun was glistening off the water like diamonds.
This was one of the first boats we saw. It is a shrimp boat. The sun was glistening off the water like diamonds.
When we got close, we saw a guy sorting the catch on the deck. There were hundreds of birds on and around that boat. It was fun to watch.
When we got close, we saw a guy sorting the catch on the deck. There were hundreds of birds on and around that boat. It was fun to watch.
A highlight was talking to and passing by this Coast Guard Cutter "Sting Ray" She was beautiful and sleek in the water.
A highlight was talking to and passing by this Coast Guard Cutter “Sting Ray” She was beautiful and sleek in the water.
Oil Rig out on Mobile Bay.
Oil Rig out on Mobile Bay.

Fun fact: The average depth of Mobile Bay is 8 to 10 feet.  I had no idea it was so shallow.

This was way out in the middle of the bay.
This was way out in the middle of the bay.

We stayed 2 nights at Dog River Marina. I saw something swimming in the marina. It almost looked like an otter but not quite.  I asked the guy at the Marina and he told me they are Nutria Rats.  Nutria Rats are an invasive species. They were brought in as a food source. A few not loose and they are now destroying all the marsh lands.  As far as a food source, turns out no one wanted to eat a rat.  I am amazed at the odd things I learn every day on this trip.

We had long days to travel to get from one anchorage to another on the river system. This is a sunrise as we headed down the river.
We had long days to travel to get from one anchorage to another on the river system. This is a sunrise as we headed down the river.

Thanks for reading.

Karen and Scott

Random Unique Picture of the day:

We were walking on trails in a camp ground and found this peculiar building. It is a tornado shelter with a generator to get fresh and and provide electricity. Very odd for a smallish camp ground.
We were walking on trails in a camp ground and found this peculiar building. It is a tornado shelter with a generator to get fresh and and provide electricity. Very odd for a smallish camp ground.