The Best Things In Life Are Free

In today’s society the list of cities, towns, and beaches is endless. The question you have to ask yourself when go on vacation is: Am I really going on Vacation? My friend Brandon Cannady put it best: “Now that I’m going home, I need a vacation from my vacation”. I used to try to make plans and arrangements to run the rat race that was my idea of a vacation.  I remember going to exotic destinations like some beach or far away city with friends, or without, and return feeling unfulfilled and tired.  Once I experienced Dover’s Bluff, or as our inner circle of friends call it, “The Bluff”, every idea I had about what a vacation should be changed.

The Bluff doesn’t stand out while traveling down Interstate 95 South like a fair on the side of the road. Exit 26 has one Mobile gas station and nothing else. Traveling down the curves of Dover’s Bluff road can be a lonesome yet very exciting drive because you realize that you are almost at the Bluff. The road itself can be dangerous though. Once upon a time I almost turned a friend’s Jeep over going around a sharp curve. So you have to be careful no matter what.   

The first time I arrived at the Bluff, I wandered if I belonged there due to the no trespassing signs at the entrance. After driving in a circle because the turn is to sharp, I saw the speed limit sign that stated; “5 MPH NO DUST”, that told me the Bluff was a fairly relaxed destination. The pool is on the right and is now covered by a screen to keep bugs out. Not a horrible idea. In the summertime friends and different family vacation at Dover’s Bluff and swim every day. At this point in the journey I always get a relaxed sense that says; “AHHHHH I’m here.” After you creep onto the main road that travels in front of all the cabins and homes you get to see the canal and marsh for the first time. The moment I get to see the canal for the first time every trip is never enough.

The cabin/house that we live in while at the Bluff is simple, but nice.  The cabin has the look of a house built at least 3 decades earlier. The family that owns the cabin renovated it about 10 years ago. They put in hardwood floors, central A/C, satellite/cable. Plus they actually put a filter on the water pump so the water wouldn’t taste like sulfur. All of these things are nice, but none are actually needed.  The A/C of course is always needed in the summer. The cabin has 3 rooms and 2 bathrooms. Each bedroom has two beds. The “L” shaped porch has 3 rocking chairs and one swing couch. The porch is the most likely lounging spot.

Across the driveway is the front dock. The front dock is usually the second place we venture to. Although it doesn’t have the secluded feeling of the back dock, but the scenery is still relaxing. The water calmly makes the journey with the tides, and the sun throws light selectively on the ripples. Yet, this is not the ultimate destination.

Nine out of ten times, after we leave the front dock we head to the back dock. The trip to the back dock is only one mile, but can take up to twenty minutes. The journey is not traitorous or hazardous unless you get stuck after the rain. It always rains at least once every visit. The road has its own personality. Most of the road is canopied by the old trees. During the day, trees block the sun and create the best shade ever. The moss hangs low from the tress; so low that it hits the vehicle at certain points on the road. There is a natural well on side of the road that yields sulfur water. We call the well: “The Artesian Well” and we always inform newbies of this myth in an attempt to get someone to drink the water. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. The final landmark on the road to the back dock is the slave houses. The slave houses were made from seashells. Yes, Dover’s Bluff once was a plantation. These slave houses can be pretty spooky while being walked by at night.

When I arrive at the back dock, I feel like I’m leaving a cave. There is a board walk that leads to the dock. The dock has a ramp that goes down to the floating portion of the dock. If you look out during the day all you can see is the canal and marsh land. The back dock is the perfect place for everyone to hang out at and drink a few beers. The allure of the back dock is the stillness and peacefulness it possesses. This is my place of Zen. The world’s stress melts away when I am there.

Dover’s Bluff is a great place to visit for the day or stay a week. If it were up to me, I would live there. Before I went to the Bluff I always needed a vacation from my vacation. Any vacation isn’t always a “vacation”. If you know someone that owns land at the Bluff; ask to visit because you won’t be sorry. The Bluff is my place of Zen. I’ve been all over the world and haven’t visited a location that I enjoy more than “The Bluff”.