Loop Life with Greg and Reenie: MOBILE BAY

We finally made it to Mobile, Alabama! (This seems like a huge accomplishment after some very long days on the river system.)

Mobile is Alabama's only saltwater port. Throughout history, the Port of Mobile has always played a key role in the City's economy. It was originally a trading center between the French and Native Americans. Currently Mobile is the 12th largest port in the United States.

Mobile began as the first Capitol of colonial French Louisiana in 1702. During its first 100 years it was a colony of France, Britain and finally Spain. Mobile first became part of the United States in 1813 under President Madison. In 1861 Mobile joined the Confederate States of America, which surrendered in 1865.

During the American Civil War, Mobile was a Confederate City. One of the most famous naval engagements of the Civil War was the Battle of Mobile Bay on August, 5, 1864.

Mobile is also famous for having the oldest "Mardi Gras" celebration in the United States (Yes, Mobile NOT New Orleans.)

Today Mobile is one of the Gulf Coast's cultural centers. It has many museums, a symphony orchestra, opera house, ballet company and a large concentration of historic architecture.

We truly enjoyed our short one night stay in Mobile...definitely worth the visit!

The next day we traveled accross Mobile Bay to Fairhope. We stayed in the Fairhope area for four nights. One night at the Fairhope Yacht Club and three nights at the Grand Hotel Marina.

The town of Fairhope was founded in 1894. It is a small charming town with a population of about 15,000. In 2016 it was named the best small town in the South by Southern Living Magazine. The town is now a boutique resort and one of the most affluent suburbs of Mobile.

"Fairhope Avenue" was one of the properties on the 1910 version of the board game Monopoly!

The Fairhope Yacht Club was very nice, but remote from the town. After one night at the Yacht Club, we moved Thistle to the Grand Hotel Marina. Originally we only planned on getting fuel at the hotel dock...after seeing how nice the grounds were we asked if there was a transient dock available? Yes, we were very lucky to stay there the next three nights.

The Grand Hotel was originally built in 1847. Guests traveled to the hotel by steamboats, that docked at what is now the Marina. During the Civil War the 21st Alabama Regiment camped on the Hotel grounds and the Hotel was used as a base hospital. The Hotel has been destroyed by hurricanes and changed ownership many times. It's still very "Grand" and we enjoyed a restful visit.

After three nights we traveled back across Mobile Bay to Dog River Marina, for our engines recommended 1000 hour service.

Looper Tip: After finishing the River section of the Great American Loop...everyone needs a rest! We highly recommend the Grand Hotel.

On a cloudy cold day we traveled 44 miles down the Mobile River to Mobile, Alabama.

We docked at the Mobile Convention Center right in the heart of the City. We used every fender available to protect Thistle from the huge cement cruise ship wall. We checked in with the security officer ... a little nervous about our safety, we both decided it was ok to spend the night :) We asked the security officer if there was anything special we should know about? .... He let us know that there was The First Annual River Walk Wine Event starting in about an hour 50 feet from where we were docked!

We changed into warm clothes and walked over to purchase tickets for the wine festival. At the entrance we were asked, if we were checking-in to volunteer? "Sure we are happy to volunteer:"... thinking we would be moving boxes or trash ? Upon agreeing to volunteer, we were assigned to booth # 35 pouring California wine :)

The River Walk Wine Festival... A very fun afternoon into the evening:)

We met some locals at the wine festival that suggested Dumbwaiter for dinner, excellent!

The next morning was clear and cold!!! Feels like 33...Burrrrrrrrr?????

There were Navy ships docked across the Mobile River from Thistle.

We spent the morning walking around downtown Mobile.

The Mobile Convention Center.

Navigating across Mobile Bay to Fairhope. The Bay is very shallow!!!

Just ask us in person, to tell the story :)

Thistle docked at The Fairhope Yacht Club.

We celebrated friends crossing their wake to become Gold Loopers (upon finishing the Loop you are presented with a gold burgee to replace your white burgee).

From the Fairhope Yacht Club we traveled about 5 miles to The Grand Hotel. The Hotel has a fuel dock (we really needed some diesel) and a Marina with a few transient slips. When docked at the Marina you have the opportunity to use all of the Hotel amenities ( pool, gym, lobby, wifi, bikes and best of all a shuttle to the town of Fairhope). It was a perfect place to relax after some looooooooong river days :)

Everyday at 4pm the Grand Hotel Cannon is fired in honor of all our Veterans!

Then everyone says The Pladge of Allegiance...very inspirational:)

Smiling at the Grand Marina near the hotel herb garden.

We rode bikes to Battles Wharf to see the beautiful homes With private piers on Mobile Bay.

The charming town of Fairhope populated with "Fairhopian's".

Lots of great restaurants in Fairhope.

The Confederate Rest Cemetery.

The Grand Hotel has a nice white sand beach...after reading the caution signs we decided NOT to swim? Watching the sunset from shore on our last night at the Grand.