April 6, 2017. Vancleave Mississippi to Dauphlin Island Alabama. 70 gorgeous miles, 2346 miles from the Pacific. Cooler temperatures, low humidity, smooth roads, a beautiful route, and the wind from my back. This day was biker bliss that I did not want to end. What a difference a day can make. Yesterday was sweat city and today I actually had goosebumps in the morning. I will take the goosebumps. Before reaching Alabama Horse and I ride through the Pascagoula River wildlife area. This is a bayou flooded from the recent storms and it is beautiful. There are floating river homes attached to the shore with a rope tied to a tree. Gators and snakes are everywhere. Beautiful big old Oak trees line the road as we approach the town of Grand Bay. I always make it a point to celebrate entering a new State. I make up some song about Alabama with a banjo on my knee and sing as loud and proud as possible. California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are behind me now. In front of me is a little slice of Alabama and then Florida. I am feeling healthy and strong until the end of the day when I am mostly just worn out. I find a local lady in Bayou La Batre and asked for recommendations for lunch. Just so happens her friend runs a local seafood restaurant just up the road. I gorge myself on crab-cakes, sweet potatoes and a slice of Key lime pie for dessert. The dessert was on the house. Nearby the Shrimp boats line the docks. It reminds me of Forrest Gump bubblegum shrimp Company. On my way to the big bridge to the island I spot a large gator in the ditch. I try to take a picture but he is gone in a second with the flick of a tail. The 10 mile bridge to the island has incredible views of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico beyond.
The sunsets on this beautiful day and I’m feeling grateful once again. I am staying with a warm showers host near the Ferry that I will take tomorrow morning on my way to Gulf Shores and then Pensacola.
I hope there was a beautiful sunset in your day.
Cheers
Freebird
