"Damn the Torpedos" Historic Fort Gaines - Dauphin Island AL



Historic Fort Gaines



Fort Gaines is home to the famous phrase "Damn the torpedos full speed ahead!" Fort Gaines is located on Dauphin Island off the coast of Mobile Alabama. This fort has weathered many storms and now stands has a historical landmark, a gateway to the past. Built in 1821, this fort is a landmark and best know for it's role in the Battle of Mobile Bay. Visitors can see not only the fort but also the USS Hartford which is where the famous line from above was said. The fort has the original cannons that were used during the war on display.

                Fort Gaines is a landmark not to be missed and one that could soon be gone. In March 2009 the Cival War Preservation Trust placed this site on the "History Under Seige" list, this list is for the ten most endangered Civil War battlefields in the country. With the many storms that the fort as weathered it has sustained many damages and with the fort itself sitting only a short distance away from the Gulf then with weather that continues to erode the beach, the fear is that one day this historic site will be lost forever. If you do get the great chance to see this site then you will no doubt be amazed. Many of the walls and brick are still the original that was laid over a hundred years ago. While some of the fort that has been damaged has been repaired or perhaps turned into a model of what it would have looked like years agos when the fort was still in use. Please be advised that many of the tunnels are quite low, and there are some areas that you will not be able to see unless you bring a flashlight. There are also many areas that have an "enter at your own risk" sign on them. These are just small portions of the fort and one can still enjoy it even if they don't want to deal with these areas.

Dolphins in Mobile Bay, as seen from the ferry

If you want to get to the historic fort there are only two ways. The first is to drive across the bridge that comes from Mobile. The second however is the more unique and scenic way. If you go to Fort Morgan that is near Gulf Shores there is a ferry and you can take the ferry, you can either walk on or take or car. If you take a car they will make you pay by the car otherwise it's per person. Then the ferry will take you across the bay to Dauphin Island where you can visit the fort. If you take the ferry you will have the change of seeing Mobile Bay's sealife swimming around. Dolphins can often be seen from the ferry boats and can sometimes even get close to the ferry. If you are lucky enough to be able to see these creatures in their natural habitat then it is something you will never forget. You can then take the ferry back to Fort Morgan. They have a strict running time so make sure that you check on it before you head out.

Fort Gaines is located at

251/861-6992
51 Bienville Boulevard
Dauphin Island, Alabama 36528

The ferry's website

http://www.mobilebayferry.com/schedule.html

Zen Massage (Atlanta)

Now this is a place that is a must for anyone that likes to be pampered. I have to admit it's not very big, and they don't have a very large staff but the staff is amazing as are the services, and the prices are some of the best that I have ever found. There are three locations in the Atlanta area however the one that I went to was Camp Creek so please keep in mind that is the location that I know for sure I loved. Here is just an example of services and prices that are offered. Swedish Massage-1 hour- $39.95, Deep Tissue Massage- 1 hour- $49.00. They offer other massages as well such as Sports, Neuromuscular, Pregnancy, and Focus. And you can have add ons put at the end of your massages such as, Hot Stones, Aromatherapy, Reflexology. If you happen to be going to get a massge with your significant other they do offer couples massages. Prices are very good for that as well, and I would highly recommend it.

Photo of the Camp Creek Location is below.

Camp Creek Zen Massage

 Skin Treatments are also offered at the Camp Creek location. They offer Express Facials, Customized Facials, Microzones (you can choose the specialized treatment you want), Age Smart Facials, Medibac Clearing Facial, Back Facial/Body Treatment. Prices for all of these range from $25.00-$85.00 depending on what facial you want. They also offer several waxing services.

The staff is amazing, they are very helpful, and pay attention to what you need whether it is a massage or skin treatment. They talk to you so you can tell them what you want out your visit, and if have any problems or in the case of massages injuries.

Now I guess that I should point out there are a few drawbacks, it is a little out of the way, not really near much, however if you are driving it's not a bad drive from Atlanta or any of the surrounding areas. It is in a shopping center which can make it seem a little smaller that other places. And it is a Zen massage place so if you are looking for fancy, this isn't the place for you. However I find the simple design calming and very much relaxing.

I am sure that all the locations are very nice, and helpful and relaxing. However I would visit the Camp Creek location. I would call ahead to book a reservation to make sure you can get what you want, when you want it. Their contact information is as follows.

678-705-3343
3220 Butner Road, Suite 140

Atlanta, GA 30331
http://www.zenmassageusa.com/

Updated Site is now up!

As you can all see the updating site, with new directories is now officially up. You can now just click on the state or country that you want to view. I have also been to a few more places and within the next day or so I will be starting to post again!

Updates

Hey everyone, as you can all tell I have done some redesign of the site. I'm also working to make the directory of places page better and easier to navigate. I will be getting back to posting new places and doing it at a better rate. I will be leaving to head to Georgia next week which should give me a ton of new and interesting places to tell you about. Please keep coming back for my updates. I promise they are coming soon!