On to Dauphin Island today, 60 miles to the east, for a three day mini-vacation. Yippee!!! I needed cash the last several days but every bank I went to charged $5-6 dollars for an ATM transaction. RIP-OFF!!!

Finally went to the Peoples’ Bank . . . just the usual $3.00 charge. Power to the People!!!!

On the way out of town I stopped at the Ocean Springs Vietnam Memorial . . .

Really well done . . . a very solemn space, with many folks walking the paths this early morning

Photos of everyone in the area that died in the conflict . . .

This is a BIG ship building area along the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama . . .

Here is one of the big ones we passed, situated right on the ocean . . . 

. . . mmmmmmmmmmmm . . . looks like not everybody in the ship building industry is happy!!!

Mississippi humor . . . .

On the way out of town there were LOTS of billboards to read as one pedaled along at 15mph. Here is one reason American’s might be so overweight. Pushing deals on soft drinks BEFORE 10:00am!!!!

Here is what riders in the south think a hill is. Interstate or canal overpass!!!! The most elevation gain we have seen in weeks!!!!

Our first view of the ocean . . . hopefully many more to come!!!

Every community seems to have a lighthouse to welcome you. The ride today is basically 60 miles of urban stop light, to stoplight riding. Not so good!!!

Don’t even want to think what might have happened at this intersection!!!!

Another one to add to the list . . . a dead beaver!!!!

Finally went by Gator Dan’s emporium. Everything about or related to gators . . .

. . . swamp boat rides . . .

and the enclosure where Dan wrestles the gators’. Too bad they were not open yet when we passed by!!!!

Yippee . . . another state line crossing!!!!

Two pups came out from the right to REALLY enthusiastically greet me . . . but eventually turned around and went back home without snapping or biting . . . unfortunately there was this one down the road that was chasing something and came up against a car or truck. Too bad. First dead dog we have seen on the trip. Owners REALLY need to keep their dogs penned or chained up in the yard!

Interesting mix of business and religion . . . is the implication that Jesus could/would have been a happy, satisfied customer?

mmmmmmmmmm . . . selling ‘stuff inside’, that sort of narrows it down. Didn’t need any stuff, so I kept on pedaling!!!

. . . another snake for the list. Beautiful specimen!

At about 53 miles, I saw the bridge to Dauphin Is. Hope I don’t get a nose bleed from the change in altitude . . .

. . . brought to you by the Army Corp!

That’s some bump in the middle . . . 5% grade, 90 feet of elevation gain . . .

. . . and it looks like a bridge to NOWHERE!  I thought I could see Russia from it!!!!

. . . over the top and Dauphin Island coming up fast . . .

We are staying right in the yacht harbor for three days. It’s the weekend when we landed here and there is a three day minimum stay so it will be a nice break!!

Our complex . . . ready for high water!

Home sweet home . . . I was the first rider in today.

Nice living room with plenty of room to lay around.

Big kitchen . . . Gina bought groceries for all of our meals. Let’ s get that barbie fired up!!!!

The girls got the room with the king bed, the Jacuzzi tub and the private deck . . .

. . . I got the room with a queen bed and private bath . . .

. . . while Paul, Tom and Tom were in the bunk house!!!

. . . 2:45pm, starting to nache away and drink!!! Some drank more than others. TommyH and Paul had six flats today,  shared between them!!!!

BBQ chicken tonight as Chef Tomas gets things going in the grill area . . .

. . . his ‘recovery’ drink of choice . . . Bud Light on ice.  One beer for each flat !!!!!

Look who showed up just as the barbeque was lit . . . Pete the Pelican. Think theses critters know the routine????

Time for everyone to chill and relax for a few days, and do their own thing . . . Linda brought out her watercolors . . .

. . . and a half hour later, Wholla!!!!

. . . soon it was time for FOOD delivered to  the deck. Denver Tom provided cover from swooping pelicans!!!!

Tators, chicken, corn bread, broccoli, cookies . . . YUM . . . .

Great dinner tonight as we watched the lightning show to the west, from our deck. LOTS of lightning = LOTS of rain. Glad we were tucked into our humble abode for the night. Bubba’s Pamper Peddlers are camping tonight!!!!