06/05/2011 - Mobile River Loop

Header Image. A reflection on the water of the Convention Center and the RSA Tower.

1) I pedaled up Spanish River in the dark to avoid the heat of the day on this 5-1/2 hour trip and watched the beautiful sunrise next to Twelve Mile Island. Mosquitos were swarming and biting during the launch in the dark.

2) If you are going to be paddling in Mobile River, boats like this can easily leave a three foot wake. Got spray skirt? How quick can you put it on?

3) There are always plenty of birds at the junction of Mobile River and Spanish River. This is a seagull taking a morning bath.

4) I did the Mobile River Loop today to see the USS William P. Lawrence which was commissioned yesterday. The Navy ship was built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in nearby Pascagoula, MS, it has some serious armament and it is part of the Destroyer Squadron 23. This Logo is on the side of the ship.

5) Security was tight around the USS William P. Lawrence. If you look closely to the right of the ships control room windows on the overhang, you can see a guard with a rifle keeping an eye on me.

6) The ship was also patrolled by a small boat. The security people were cordial and did not intimidate, so my compliments to them for their professionalism with this kayaker.

7) The Banda Sea is a double decker rail vessel that sails between Mobile and Veracruz Mexico loaded with 115 rail cars, which are filled with products, such as wood, chemicals and metals.

8) The Vliet Trader is a ship out of the Netherlands. Winschoten is a town in the Netherlands.

9) At 9:00 in the morning the temperatures were already approaching 90 degrees and with no breeze, it was hot and humid.

10) Saw lots on minnows on this trip and they liked to go in circles while it looked like they were gasping for air.