THE Traveler: Diane Thorsen Merz of Elk River.
The scene: The sky burns beautifully on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, near Fairhope, Ala. "The sun never fails to delight as it sets over the piers," Merz wrote in an e-mail.
The Trip: "My husband and I frequently stay at a little rental on Mobile Bay over Thanksgiving. Most of the homes there have these long piers, some with fancy cabanas at the end with giant-screen TVs and cooking facilities. Some of the piers were destroyed in Hurricane Nate; some have been rebuilt. A favorite snoozing spot for gulls, herons and pelicans.
How I got this shot: "We take our evening cocktail out every night to watch the sunset," Merz wrote. "My Android cellphone camera is always in my pocket." She was trying to capture the warm salty air, so she could recall it after their return home to "the tough Minnesota winters." Her smartphone is a Samsung Galaxy S7.
Destination details: "The quiet eastern shore of Mobile Bay offers warm breezes, stunning sunsets, charming Southern culture, friendly neighbors and magnificent magnolias and live oaks," she wrote.
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