After paddling around the Davis Bayou yesterday, we decided to head out on Saturday, February 17, 2018, and get some beach time on one of the barrier islands. The Gulf Islands National Seashore protects parts of seven islands. However, you can only reach them by boat and the ferry doesn't start running until April. The park ranger we spoke to yesterday suggested we drive over to Dauphin Island. While not part of the national park, it is still part of the chain of islands that make up the Gulf Islands.
Dauphin Island is home to Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, The Estuarium Aquarium, the Dauphin Island Airport, boat ramps, a large public pier, historic sites, several restaurants, new condominium developments, and numerous private homes. Beaches attract tourism, and fishing is a popular activity in the waters around the island. The island is connected to the mainland by the Gordon Persons Bridge. As we approached the bridge, we were wondering if there really was an island on the other end.
We decided to park the Jeep near the Shell Mound Park and bike our way around the island. Serpentine shell middens located in the park, perhaps 1500 years old, attest to at least seasonal occupation by the Native American Mound Builder culture. Here Kathy has absorbed the history of the shell mound and was ready to ride.
We discovered a 7.5 miles bike trail which runs parallel to Bienville Avenue.
Along the way, we made a stop at the ferry terminal to watch some of the locals go fishing.
Our next stop was Fort Gaines, an historic fort on Dauphin Island. It was named for Edmund Pendleton Gaines, famous for capturing Aaron Burr after he was accused of treason in connection with the Spanish-American War. The fort was established in 1821, and is best known for its role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the American Civil War.
Fort Gaines sits on the eastern tip of the island. It was occupied by Confederate forces in 1861, and captured by Federal troops during the Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864.
The fort is owned and managed by the Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board, not by the National Park Service or Mississippi State Parks. After paying our entrance fee, we were handed a self-guided tour brochure and started our exploring.
After skulking around the base of the fort, we headed up to explore the bastions.
Fun fact: The phrase, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead," was supposedly spoken by U. S. Admiral David Farragut, just a few hundred yards from Dauphin Island's shore, in the Battle of Mobile Bay prior to his victorious attack.
Cannon Selfie!
The dense fog we experienced on our drive over to Dauphin Island hung just off shore.
These old forts are so much fun to photograph.
Dave takes a moment to contemplate what life in the fort was like.
All that exploring made us hungry. It was back on the bikes and back across the island to the Islanders Restaurant, where Dave tried yet another gumbo!
After lunch, we continued on the bike path with the hope of reaching the west end, where we would leave the bikes and trek across the undeveloped west end of the island. However, we were turned around about two miles from the end. The road had been damaged by recent storms. Only local residents were allowed to proceed. They say adventure happens when your plans go awry. So, we turned around and headed back. The dense fog rolled back in. We found this guy fishing by the side of the trail.
We parked our bikes in the parking lot for Middle Beach, a public beach. As we started our trek across the dunes toward the water, the fog was so thick, we couldn't see the water. We followed the footprints in the sand and before long ghostly images began to appear.
We were able to capture these happy boaters as the fog lifted.
As we returned to Shell Mound Park, we noticed a number of birders focusing on the boat dock. Five Great Blue Herons were taking a break on the roof of the dock.
It's a pretty good day when you can bike 10 miles, explore a historic fort, and walk on the beach. We are hoping to get out and paddle again tomorrow.
Stay tuned.
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