Gulfport and Mississippi Sound

Shortly after “crossing her wake” a C17 from Keesler AFB broke from formation from similar aricraft, dropped altitude, flew right at the bow of the MJ to do a congratulatory ” Fly By”. This was impressive.

One of six dolphin inside a fishing net. How they keep from getting caught in the net is amazing.

Two cormants discuss morning fishing activity while sitting on a navigation marker.

We watched the sunrise over Mobile Bay as we headed out at 6 a.m. this morning in light breezes.  Like Galveston, they have a long ship channel that leads to the Gulf of Mexico through the barrier islands.  Once we got to the Inter Coastal shipping lane, we turned west and headed under the Dauphin Island Bridge.  Pod after pod of dolphins greeted us as we headed the 85 miles west to Gulfport.  With dead flat seas—almost glass at times and 65 degrees temperatures, we found it hard to leave the water and head to port today. The Gulfport Yacht Club is where our Lakewood Yacht Club sailing regatta came this year.  Tonight we are tied to their dock and enjoying some of the amenities of the club.

Along the way we were entertained with shrimpers, nets out on their out riggers and hundreds of gulls and pelicans following along with many hungry dolphins.  I hope that the dolphins and birds don’t get caught in their nets.  We were also buzzed at very close range by two military C17 airplanes.  The coast guard patrolled in several places giving us the impression that Homeland Security is hard at work. 

For now, we are doing something we haven’t done in 1½ years—wash salt off the Muriel June.  Tomorrow is New Orleans!