August 8, 2007
Dog River Marina, Mobile, AL
Nereus packed up and tied to the dock at Dog River Marina
Nereus is all packed up. We’ve stripped the boat of everything that can be stripped. We are in storage mode. I will either return to Mobile and take the boat up the river where it will be stored long term, or I will arrange a hauler to pick it up an take it somewhere else, depending on how things work out. Either way, we’re packed and ready.
It is kind of disappointing. Nereus hasn’t looked like this in a long time, since the beginning of our last cruise when we had to put everything together. But we aren’t opening, we are closing. So, for a month or so, Dog River Marina is host to ol’ Nereus. I’m worried about storms while I’m gone, though. Dog River Marina has a book in the harbor office with photos taken during Katrina. The whole place is underwater, making long term storage here not an option – all the boats just wash away. And you know I already don’t trust those pesky gods of the Gulf to leave me alone. It is a concern and I will have to keep watch on the weather. The marina won’t let me stay if there is a hurricane, so I may have to drop everything and return early to move up river if something develops.
We left first thing this morning in a rental car. I am returning Pat to Shaboom and I am returning home to my family. I owe Pat a huge debt of gratitude for coming along on this little adventure. Think of all he had to deal with: crappy sailing, a sick captain, uncertain and regularly changing plans, banshies. But, as he said, “I’m on vacation and I’m on a boat. There’s nothing wrong with any of this.” Thanks Pat. I couldn’t have come this far with out you.
So Nereus is on hold in Mobile. Until my return, god speed, Nereus. Be safe.
– Steve
Trip Facts:
Total Distance: 398.44 Nautical Miles
Total Time: 88.38 Hours
Average Speed: 4.51 Nautical Miles/Hour
Leg 1 – Bradenton to Apalachicola
Distance: 202.33 Nautical Miles
Time: 45.51 Hours
Speed: 4.45 Miles/Hour
Leg 2 – Apalachicola to Pensacola
Distance: 146.95 Nautical Miles
Time: 33.23 Hours
Speed: 4.42 Miles/Hour
Leg 3 – ICW through Mobile Bay
Distance: 48.04 Nautical Miles
Time: 8.47 Hours
Speed: 5.67 Miles/Hour
Return Home By Car:
Distance: 575 Statute Miles
Time: 8.48 Hours
Speed: 67.81 Miles/Hour