1/30/11 to 2/5/11 We got to Dauphin Island, Alabama and planned to spend an extra day to re-provision. The only grocery store on the island (also liquor store, hardware store and drug store) was somewhat of a disappoint- ment. Lots of dry goods but not much in the way of fresh meat or produce. Also many grocery items didn't have a price on them leaving it to the cashier to levy whatever she liked. The next day we discovered that we had a narrow weather window to get across Mobile Bay which is a rather large body of water and gets very uncomfortable with a north wind.
Dauphin Island has two approaches. We came in on the western approach but we decided to exit on the eastern approach which we have never tried before. With only 50 yards to the bay and deep water we hit an uncharted sand bar in the channel and came hard aground. No problem as far as safety of the boat because the tide was on the rise so it was just a matter of time until we floated off. Unfortunately it was 5 hours until we got free and our window to cross in daylight had slammed shut. Nothing to do but go back to the marina and wait out the weather. We were able to attend the local Mardi Gras parade which was a hoot. We collected 57 bead necklaces and 13 Moon Pies (sort of a big cream filled cookie). We hung the beads on the bow of the boat. I don't know what people do with them after the alcohol wears off.
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