Day 32 - Sunday April 19: Vancleave MS to Gulf Shores, Alabama (AL)

Miles Today: 90. Total Miles: 2431. Approx Miles Remaining: 586

Conditions: Overcast and rainy, changed to sunshine

Time on the Road: 7hrs. 45min (including 35 minute ferry trip)

We awoke to a thick humid morning and gray skies. Our hosts of the previous evening, Jeff and Sheila DeLuke, had invited all of us to their home for a large breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, juice, and coffee. Again, we were overwhelmed by southern hospitality. In addition, we met their two sons, Levi and Logan; Levi is a hobby bee keeper and we were given honey comb to take on the journey with us. What a great family (not forgetting Mardi the boxer)!

The LeDuke Family Serving Breakfast

Well Fed and Ready to Hit the Road. Thanks Jeff and Sheila

Back to the cabins for final preparations for the riding day ahead. Sadly it was time to say farewell to the biking guys: Nathan and Joel from Canada, who were riding as "Athletes for Africa", Mark from California, Carl from Alaska, and David from North Carolina. They enriched our journey and we enjoyed their company.

On the Road Again

Within a few minutes of leaving our camp, we crossed into Alabama.

Six States Down and Two States to Go!

Once in Alabama, we saw more and more marshland and inland waterways, some with quite large boats.

As we approached the town of Alabama Port, we at last saw the Gulf of Mexico, and were treated to the sight of pelicans flying in formation over the gray/brown ocean. We were to ride/drive over the causeway and bridge, a distance of 4-5 miles before arriving on Dauphin Island prior to boarding a ferry to cross Mobile Bay to Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Distant View of Bridge and Causeway

Shoeless on Ferry!

Most of the magnolia trees had finished blooming, as had the azaleas. However, Penny captured one of the surviving blossoms.

The ride into Gulf Shores was smooth and bicycle friendly. We checked into a beach side hotel with a glorious view of the ocean. We plan to spend half a day tomorrow resting and enjoying the sandy beach. Seafood is definitely on the menu tonight, in a quaint beach side restaurant across the street from the hotel.

Yours a bit Wearily on the Road,

Don and Penny