11/05/2005 – Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay

Launch: Public beach access next to Fairhope Yacht Club (Volanta Street). Launch Cost: Free. Route: South a few miles along the Eastern Shore, turn around, up to Fly Creek and then return to launch site. Distance: 7.4 miles. Average Speed: 3.3 mph. Time: Approx 2,5 hrs. Pace: Leisurely. Weather: Overcast, short sleeves and shorts weather, breezy from the southeast. Perfect day for sailing!

(1) Above left. Fixed up the Hobie Pedal Drive unit and decided to escape for a few hours on Mobile Bay to test it out. The pier to the little Fairhope Yacht Club Boathouse is gone. The Fairhope Yacht Club building is gutted and unsuable. (2) Above right. We may get Hurricanes along the coast, but today, I’m in shorts and a t-shirt, all nice and warm. I put up the sail on the way back and enjoyed some gusty speeds at times.

(3) Above left. The sea gulls enjoy their unlimited privacy on the little wooden pier that is no longer used by people for obvious reasons. (4) Above right. It looks like it will be a long time before the fisherman will be back on Fairhope Pier because most of the concrete deck slabs are in the water.

(5) Above left. The shoreline on the Eastern Shore is teeming with the remaining pilings of boathouses and wooden piers as far as the eye can see. (6) Above right. Contrary to the belief that all is devastated along the shores, it looks like business as ususal in the Fairhope Yacht Club Marina. The smooth waters and striking reflections as seen by kayak are most enjoyable.