Hypnagogic Designs

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Tuesday, January 07, 2014

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Fort Gaines, AL

We went back to Dauphin Island this summer and had a blast. It's a lovely, relaxing place; just beach, no distractions. As a matter of fact, it's hard to find a place to eat after about 7pm. There are, maybe 6 or 7 restaurants on the island (and, thus, within a 45 minute drive of our condo) and all but the one chain (Subway) closes early. It's a great place to do nothing but recharge and enjoy the beach.

As one of the barrier islands protecting Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island played a major role in military strategy. Along with Fort Morgan across the bay at Gulf Shores, Fort Gaines on Dauphin secured the bay during the Civil War and protected the Confederacy's heavy industrial interests and ship building center. This is the battle during which Adm David Farragut gave his famous command, "Damn the torpedoes – full speed ahead!"

We took the boys to tour Fort Gaines. Almost all of the fort was open to exploration and some areas were particularly spooky. It was hot, humid, and everyone was a little tired, but I think the kids enjoyed it.