Gulf Coast of Alabama

Before I head to Florida next week, I wanted to share a few more photos I took in Alabama. The first two are of the fireplace at The Grand on Point Clear on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. It is the one I mentioned that served as a hospital during the Civil War.

Below are some shots of the Confederate Rest Cemetery, close to the hotel.

Above is some of the swampy area nearby and below, the firing of the cannon that occurs each afternoon at the hotel at 4:00. Hot tea, coffee and cookies are served by the fireplace every afternoon from four until five. I sure hope we get the opportunity to go back to this hotel.

Across the bay, you can see the skyline of Mobile and below, sunset is coming over the bay.

I rode a bike in the area and here are some of the shots I took while out on the bike. At the bike rental place she saw that big camera around my neck and asked if I wanted to leave the camera at the stand with her (she probably worried that I couldn't even ride a bike) but I explained that the reason I was going bike riding was to take photos!

I love the beautiful homes and boat houses along the water!

I walked to the cemetery the first time but found riding a bike there was much easier!

Below are some shots I took in Mississippi as we drove from New Orleans back to Mobile. The Biloxi Lighthouse is made of cast iron, so you can only climb it before ten in the morning as it gets too hot. It is also in the middle of a four lane road.

Along here is where Katrina hit and left so much damage. Below is the Beau Rivage and just past it is the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino that was just about to open when Katrina hit.

The Biloxi Lighthouse is the one on the Mississippi car tag.

After going to Bellingrath, we rode down to Dauphin Island. Originally called "Massacre Island", it was changed to Dauphin after the heir to the french throne. There is a bridge to it from the western shore of the bay, but from the other side (where Gulf Shores and Foley are located), you have to take a ferry to get to it.

Below is the fort that is on Dauphin Island, Fort Gaines. Fort Morgan is located on the other side where the ferry leaves. Fort Gaines was the site of the Battle of Mobile Bay from which the quote "Damn The Torpedoes - Full Speed Ahead" comes.

Just out from the fort, you can see the lighthouse on Sand Island, out in the water.

I would like to visit the Fort, but it will need to be on a cooler day. I had already spent three hours walking around the gardens at Bellingrath on this particular day.

We had planned on working our way on up to northern Alabama for Memorial Day weekend, but Jim was having problems with one of his eyes. We found out after driving back to Atlanta and seeing the doctor that his retina was detaching and he had to have laser surgery before we could get back on the road. Guess you just never know what is going to happen! He goes back to the doctor in the morning, so hopefully it is doing well.

Next trip, Amelia Island on the Atlantic and then Destin on the Gulf.