The Sandies meet a Blue Riband Holder

“Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale a tale of a fateful trip, that started from this tropic port, aboard this tiny ship. five passengers set sail that day, for a three hour tour, a three hour tour”.

If you’re a Sandie or know about these Sandies they are all escapees from “One Flew over a Cuckoo’s Nest” kind of place. Since Sandies are involved and with boats this could be the typical start of a Sandie Sailing Adventure. Which by the way usually involves a torpedoing of some sort.

Our trip to Mobile to see the SS United States would require a boat ride. 12 Sandies made the fateful trip to ride The Delta Queen paddle wheeler. This vessel would help us to get a great up-close view of the SS United States. A bit of history inserted here. The SS United States holds the record for crossing the Atlantic ,both ways. This competition among ocean liners had been going on for well over 150 years. Well the SS United States broke the record and was awarded the Blue Ribbon, given to the record holding Liner. The record, which still stands today, was 3 days and 10 hours. So getting to see the fading Queen of Ocean Liners and going by motorcycles to see this magnificent ship was something pretty special.

We left Tuesday heading west. I had laid out a route that kept us off the Slab longer much more fun. Met Tommy N and Sandy S and The Dark Prince (Tim W) at GTD. Picked up JoeJoe, Tony & Nikki G, Mark & Lorna S. in Navarre.  Now keep in mind with this crew anything was possible Supernaturally or just plain trouble.

Ate lunch at Felix’s, on the causeway. Which brings me to The Bankhead Tunnel, a tunnel opened in 1941 is a narrow tunnel, cars were much smaller then. Now most people are adult in a motorcar tunnel. These were Sandies, remember ? The tunnel echoed with horn noise the whole time the Sandies were in there.

Since we were early for our boat ride, made a stop at The Phoenix Fire Museum. A so very cool place, oh free too. Inside old Fire rigs, horse and internal engined

The boat ride was pretty damn cool . The SS United States as faded as she was is, to me,  still a magnificent sight. We had a guide to provide history and stories about The SS United States. Lots of Warships at the Shipyard across the river. In all stages of being built or repaired.

At the end of our three hour voyage, ok so it was only hour. We headed for the hotel, The Hotel Malaga, built in 1862 making the hotel a 162 years old. It is the only hotel like it in the State of Alabama, by the way. It was a fabulous place to stay every room was at least 100 years old. The courtyard was beautiful, it was like stepping back to a much simpler time.  The people that were the average passengers of The SS United States would be very at ease here.

After a great dinner we retreated to the Sky Lounge on the 17th floor of The Holiday Inn.  What a view of The City of Mobile and in the distance was The Blue Ribbon winner herself, still looking proud. We had a super night’s sleep, checked out and got ready to head home. Still keeping with No Slab Traffic we rode on US 31 awhile. The other end of 31 is Detroit, Michigan, maybe some other time. We did spend 245 miles  of Sandie Adventure having a fabulous time.

NOTE: JoeJoe, Sandy Shorey and yes Tim White have posted some very good pictures of our Ship Adventures on our Facebook page. But Wait There’s More! Tony Garcia, who takes incredible videos. Well Tony has posted on the Sandie Facebook page, the most incredible videos.

It was a most bodacious Sandie Adventure, filled with laughter and fun.

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