There is a new attraction on Dauphin Island today. After several years in planning, the salt marsh educational pier is open to the public. The new pier is an educational element of a larger salt marsh conservation and restoration project. It was funded jointly by grants from the Alabama state Lands Division and from Bridgestone/Firestone.
For many Dauphin Island visitors the new educational pier will be the first thing they see on Dauphin Island. It's located right next to the ferry landing on Dauphin Island's east end.
It's been more than 13 months since ol' what's her name flooded and closed the Isle Dauphine golf course on Dauphin Island. The back nine opened just a few short months after the storm, but the front nine sustained much more damage.
Many a snowbird will rest easier knowing their winter golf needs will not go unmet now that the entire course will be open for play again.
Isle Dauphine front nine set to re-open
Holes bordering the Gulf of Mexico that were heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina have been repaired and will be open for public play on Oct. 17
Hang in there a little longer. Summer just can't seem to end and turn over control to Autumn and the great fishing it brings. Dauphin Island is not alone in this regard. All along the Alabama Gulf Coast they're waiting for the real fishing to begin.
Just a little longer...
Indian summer slows progress of fall pattern
What in the world happened to our cool weather. With the onset of the Indian summer, the fishing activity has been on hold, at least as far as a fall pattern is concerned.
Be thankful the Fort Morgan Ferry across Mobile Bay to Dauphin Island is only $14. The same company that operates the Dauphin Island Ferry is asking for $30 to shuttle cars across the Bay of St. Louis in Mississippi.
Ferry prices shock some, others say it's just the Cost of convenience
Bay shuttle operation comes with a $30 tab per vehicleMany people see the ferry service across the Bay of St. Louis as an important piece of the recovery puzzle. Others have argued that it will be a waste of money.
The numbers are finally in on the project, and the price tag for the ferry operator breaks down to around $30 per car if the 22-car vessels operate at capacity.
Remember last year's coastal cleanup event? How about the on the year before? No, we didn't think so. They were both canceled because Mother Nature had a different plan in mind for Dauphin Island.
This year Mother Nature has been much nicer to us. The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is back on it's annual schedule.
Saturday is the day. Volunteers all along the Alabama Gulf Coast will spend the morning cleaning up the coastline. The Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources is hoping to see approximately 4000 volunteers come to spend the morning making Alabama's waterways and coastline clean and litter free.
If you're looking for a way to feel really good about yourself, think about coming out for the event. A few hours' work will leave you feeling terrific. You'll have a great time and meet some really good people too.