Fair Hope Alabama
Ambler Isle
V and S
Wed 3 Nov 2010 17:41
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30 31 403N
087 54 866W
We left the Mobile Bay shipping channel at our usual
spot between red markers 73 and 74 heading southeast for Fair Hope. This
confuses the ships passing us and they always call to warn us of low
water. But the turnoff is a good one, and soon we were cruising in 8'
water. Our first dolphin sighting was icing on the cake. Some10 miles
later we were at the entry to Fly Creek. The Fair Hope Yacht Club is
here. Though a very old, established club, it is very low key and very
friendly. We try to stop there everytime we pass. Hurricane Ivan
leveled the old club and they now have a big club house, pool, and all the
amenities. But is it still a small sailboat club at heart. They
directed us to the t-dock. Before we could get tied up, 6 members had
wandered over to greet us and welcome us to the club. One offered his power
station. When I asked another about Margaret, a woman we'd met
numerous times, he became very excited. Margaret was at the docks, washing
her sailboat. They'd had coffee together just that morning. Soon
Margaret was at the Amber Isle, setting up dinner arrangements for that
night. Margaret was the town doctor. Inside at the clubhouse
bar we were greeted warmly by Sue; she'd been tending bar there for
years. Next we went to see Pat, the manager to register our stay.
There was no charge, due to our Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club membership.
Did we need her car to go to town? Back at the bar we were invited to join
the 4:00 Club, a group of members who gathered for happy hour everyday.
They treated us like old friends, too. And insisted we come back the next
day. That second day we dined at the club house restaurant, again with
Margaret. She asked a widower man to join us. In the end, our meal
was placed on his tab, and although we insisted upon paying, he refused.
Said the company was worth it. What a wonderful, loving place. We
were sad to leave. But the Gulf of Mexico beckoned.
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