Dipped My Toes in the Ocean Today!

We wavered this morning between staying another night at Gulf State Park or moving on. It seemed to take a long time to get a shower, do dishes and clean up and pack up the RV, maybe too late to get to another campground today. But the open road called, as the saying goes. As we left the campground we drove along the beachfront highway and before long I spotted a sign that said, "Public Beaches." I thought you might like to see one last picture of the magnificent white sand here.

Unfortunately, Chorro was not allowed on this beach either. So back to the RV we went. But first, he made a new friend. Making new friends is something Chorro does very well.

He curled up on the front seat and I could see that he was going to sleep for a bit so I thought I would treat myself to one more walk on the wet sand.

There were sunbathers and a few swimmers in bright, warm sunshine and 70-80 degree temps.

I could watch the waves breaking for hours. I took lots of pictures to try to capture them at just the right moment.

Being here reminded me of the first time I went to California and the major need my sister Jan and I believed we had to get our feet in the ocean. So this one's for you, Jan!

And one for the sister we call, "Pony." Naw, it isn't another cute little Shetland pony.

There is a huge amount of new construction on the beach here, and a few places where there is a fence, a gate, a number on the gate, and a foundation or cement slab. But no house. I suppose that would be Katrina's calling card. Otherwise, it makes me sad to see that the ocean front is one house or huge condo or apartment building after another, as far as the beach stretches, as far as I can see.

I found myself on the road I would have reached had I taken the ferry from Dauphin Island the other day, when it was too windy for the ferry to travel. Hmm, I could take it back and save myself about two hours' drive back through busy Mobile! This is the view as we wait at the ferry 'landing' at Fort Morgan, Alabama.

These gulls are waiting too. And so are these pelicans.

The way the sun sparkles on the ocean is magical to me. I took many pictures here too, hoping for something that would show you what a fabulous sight it was.

And do I see some nameless relative of Nessie treading water out there in the Gulf of Mexico haze?

It was a great open-air ferry ride. No booths to sit at and sip Starbucks coffee on this trip. This small ferry can hold 18 vehicles. It was about forty minutes of sunshine and ocean breeze back to Dauphin Island. It will soon be dark so I am hustling back to find a campground, no more exploring today.

And tomorrow is a new day.