The storms ended, the sun was shining, the wind subsided and it was time for us to finally leave Mobile. We truly have enjoyed our stays in Alabama and Mobile, but we were very anxious to get moving. The morning was a little chilly (mid 60’s) as we filled the fuel tank and pumped out in preparation for our departure. With a huge fisherman’s rubber glove on my left hand, I secured all the lines and fenders without difficulty. This was the first time that I had actively used my left hand to perform boat chores and it was okay – a little bit of awkwardness but I managed. 
Our new friends from Steele’n Time took the lead as we both headed south and east across Mobile Bay toward the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway toward Pensacola. The Bay was calm with 1-2 foot waves and it felt wonderful to be back moving on the water again.
About half way through the Bay, the Coast Guard was on maneuvers. It is always fun to watch them take pictures of me taking pictures of them…
Captain Mark and I settled into our traveling routines and all was delightful until Mark says “We don’t have any steering.” Neither of us panicked because the steering is the one issue that we have had trouble with before so we thought Mark could fix it quickly. In the past, the tiller arm has come unattached from the rudder and Mark just reattaches it – an inconvenience and irritating but not difficult to fix. However, this time that was not the problem. Mark is testing all the normal things to test and all seems to be in order. I am at the helm doing whatever I am being told to do by Mark but nothing seems to come to light. The steering would come and go in an odd way making it all the more difficult for Mark to determine what was happening. LUCKILY for us, Captain Mike of Steele’n Time radioed us to offer his help and expertise. We pulled the Lolligag along side Steele’n Time and rafted together so that Mike could board the Lolligag. Linda and I chatted and became acquainted while the two captains put their talents to work. The issue was that we had run low on steering fluid and this why the steering was sporadic. We thought that we had asked Dog River Marina to check this fluid but in checking our work order, we had requested that “engine fluids and filters” be checked and changed and steering fluid did not fall into that category. This is not a mistake that we will make twice. It is not only fun but very prudent to travel with a buddy boat. Thank you Steele’n Time for being there for us.
Very soon after we got underway, we reached the entrance to the Intracoastal Way (ICW) and guess who we meet at the entrance? I have missed my tow pilots and it was comfortable and reassuring to see them again.
We had planned to stop at LuLu’s (Jimmy Buffett’s sister’s restaurant) for lunch but since our unscheduled pit stop of earlier, we did not have time to stop and still make our anchorage before dark. We continued along the ICW admiring the homes and new developments that have been completed since hurricane Ivan. We also saw our first pair of dolphins but I was not quick enough with my camera…Our anchorage for the evening was in a back bay off the main ICW channel and was peaceful and calm. All in all, I would say that we had a good first day back on the water. We made new friends, learned a valuable lesson and saw our first dolphins – life is good upon the water.Hours on the water: 6.5
Nautical miles traveled: 42
Number of locks: 0
Time spent waiting at locks: 0
Tomorrow's Destination: Pensacola, Florida
What we're listening to: Nothing
What we watched: Nothing
Lesson for the day: Check hydraulic steering fluid more often
Obligatory knitting report: Scarf for charity
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