SPANISH FORT, Ala. — As spring weather calls visitors outdoors, Blakeley State Park has scheduled its first Saturday “walk-on” tour aboard the Delta Explorer into the wilds of the Tensaw-Mobile River delta.

Feb. 26 is the date for the afternoon eco-tour and already about half the seats in the 50-passenger, covered pontoon boat are reserved. Passengers can “walk-on” by driving to the park on the date of the tour and take their chances on first come-first serve seating or they can pay in advance using credit cards and guarantee their seats.

Tickets for the two-hour excursion are $22 for adults and $12 for children. The boat leaves the Blakeley Park dock on the Tensaw River at 1:30 p.m. but visitors should arrive at the gate at least 30 minutes earlier to allow for checking in and boarding. It returns at 3:30 p.m.

Blakeley Park is referring to the Feb. 26 tour as one of its “Snowbird Specials”, said Jo Ann Flirt, director. “We scheduled the trip as late in February as possible to allow for warmer weather but before March 1 when many “snowbirds” return home to Midwestern and Northern states”, she said.

“If it keeps warming up we may spot alligators sunning along the banks”, she said, adding “There is always plenty of wildlife to see”. A Blakeley boat trip earlier this month into the Delta and down through the Port of Mobile was sold out. Passengers described it as “cool in more than one way”, Flirt said.

For reservations call Blakeley Park at 251-626-5581. To charter the boat for special tours call 251-626-0798. Blakeley Park is on State Highway 225 about 4.5 miles north of its intersection with U.S. 31 at Spanish Fort. Day land visitors may enjoy the park from 9 a.m. to dusk daily.