February 16, 2014
Dauphin Island is a 14 mile-long barrier island situated off the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Dauphin Island thrives upon its’ emphasis on low-key, family oriented vacations. Forget road congestion, water parks and outlet malls – the island doesn’t even have need for a traffic light. Instead, envision bike paths, walking trails, miles of white sandy beaches and simplicity centered upon outdoor recreation and the environment. Dauphin Island is a true hidden gem of Alabama’s Gulf Coast
Dauphin Island has been named one of the top four locations in North America for viewing spring bird migrations. The campground we stayed at had access to the the Bird Sanctuary which consisted of 137 acres of maritime forest, marshes, and dunes, including a lake, a swamp, and a beach. The three mile trail system within the Sanctuary has been designated as a National Recreational Trail.
The Sanctuary is of vital importance because it is the largest segment of protected forest on the Island and the first landfall for neo-tropical migrant birds after their long flight across the Gulf from Central and South America each spring. Here these birds, often exhausted and weakened from severe weather during the long flight, find their first food and shelter. Of the 445 species officially documented in Alabama presently, 420 (95%) have been observed on the island. It is also their final stop before their return flight each fall. The Bird Sanctuary has allowed Dauphin Island to be recognized by the National Audubon Society as being “Globally Important” for bird migrations.
Fort Gaines
The well-preserved ramparts of Fort Gaines have guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay for more than 150 years. Now a historic site, the Fort stands at the eastern tip of Dauphin Island where it commands panoramic views of the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Fort was recently designated as one of the Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites in America due to on-going shoreline erosion. The entrance was literally right out the door of our campsite. We biked over there and then biked a couple of miles up the road to go get some BBQ for lunch.
Fort Gaines is one of the key sites in the famous Battle of Mobile Bay where Admiral Farragut shouted his now-famous order, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” The fort has original cannons, a blacksmith shop, kitchens, a bakery and lots of tunnels. The blacksmith did some demonstrations for us and Tyler said he could have sat and watched him all day! He was a nice young man, very well spoken, intelligent and he really just had a nice way about him.
February 14th was the full Snow moon! No snow here, but these full moons are my favorite day of the month. Normally, the moonrises at just the same time as the sun sets. The light from the sun reflects off of the moon to give it the nice color.
Dauphin Island is a 14 mile-long barrier island situated off the Alabama Gulf Coast.
Dauphin Island thrives upon its’ emphasis on low-key, family oriented vacations. Forget road congestion, water parks and outlet malls – the island doesn’t even have need for a traffic light. Instead, envision bike paths, walking trails, miles of white sandy beaches and simplicity centered upon outdoor recreation and the environment. Dauphin Island is a true hidden gem of Alabama’s Gulf Coast
Fort Gaines
The well-preserved ramparts of Fort Gaines have guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay for more than 150 years. Now a historic site, the Fort stands at the eastern tip of Dauphin Island where it commands panoramic views of the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Fort was recently designated as one of the Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites in America due to on-going shoreline erosion. The entrance was literally right out the door of our campsite. We biked over there and then biked a couple of miles up the road to go get some BBQ for lunch.
February 14th was the full Snow moon! No snow here, but these full moons are my favorite day of the month. Normally, the moonrises at just the same time as the sun sets. The light from the sun reflects off of the moon to give it the nice color.
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| Moon rise 5:40pm Feb 14 |
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| Moon rise 6:10 pm Feb 14 |
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Sunset 5:40pm Feb 14th
  
We met a nice couple from Illinois camping next to us and when we arrived back from our day out biking and exploring, I had heard Steve playing a string instrument on his lap. I found out it was a dulcimer (The Appalachian dulcimer (or mountain dulcimer) is a fretted string instrument of the zither family, typically with three or four strings) so I hung out and chatted with them and listened to his music while Scott made some more cinnamon swirl bread. Maybe I will take up a small instrument in my old age like a ukulele or a mandolin...
And here is a final photo of us on the island.
We have arrived in Florabama...slowly making our way home. Although, by the looks of things, we could't come home even if we wanted too!
~Linda
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