Author: tim.june.sndr@hotmail.com

We stayed at The Wharf, Orange Beach for three nights while a front blew through.  We were glad to be tied up as the winds picked up to about 25 mph and the temperature dropped about 20 degrees.   Tim made a pot of his famous Timmy White Beans and did some research on our Raymarine.  Monday a couple young guys from 30 degrees North came over to try to help solve the problem. Continue reading 11/19-11/25. OrangeBeach, AL to Ft. Walton Beach, Fl

It was great having a day off from cruising to sleep in as late as we wanted and start working on getting into “chill” mode.  And we did have a lazy day.  Did a lot of nothing and enjoyed it immensely.  Gayle and David Koons joined us for dinner on the boat and I didn’t even have to cook.  Remember that lasagne that our super cook neighbor, Lisa, made?  I zapped it again, put some in the freezer and still have some left for lunch.  It is sooooo good.

Our next stop was Intercoastal City at Shell Morgan.  For those who don’t know, there is very little at Shell Morgan except a place to tie up and the cheapest fuel around.  Tom and Sue Ann from TagTeam, a sport fisherman out of Port Aransas, were already tied up and lent us a hand with our lines.  The next morning we were on the fuel dock taking on 470 gallons of diesel.  Ka ching, Ka ching.

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Berwick City Docks was only about 5 hours down the ICW from Shell Morgan and just up the Atchafalya River.  Now we were getting into the old, small town Louisiana.  The city docks are free which is reasonable since there’s not much there.  No electricity or water, but a nice park atmosphere with pavilions and swings.  Tim and I took a short walk to Bayou Lagnappe for dinner. Their specialty is boiled blue crabs, but we were to tired to have to work for our meal and opted instead for the shrimp and fish basket. 

 
Next stop- Houma.  We’ve been to Houma before and really liked the area.  Boats tie up at the City Dock for $25 per night.  Its a deal and includes electricity and water.  Tonight dinner was at the Pit Stop, a true dive.  Chicken and sausage gumbo with mustard potato salad.  Its a Houma classic.

 

We had thought about staying another night, but we see a potential weather window opening for our crossing to Mississippi.  We decided that we will cross from Venice, LA to Gulfport, MS.  The forecast is for light winds and 1-2’waves on Wednesday.  To be in Venice for  that window, we will need to leave tomorrow for the Industrial Locks.  The lock is closed, but we’ll tie up there and then head down the Mississippi River to Venice.  That will leave us in place for the crossing.

Tim and I first saw our Defever in early January 2014.  Rex Bettis had shown us several boats in the Kemah area, but we were still hoping to find a 49′ DeFever.  The 49′ is essentially a 44′ Sundeck with an additional 5′ stern cockpit.   Continue reading Subject to Change is Ready!!!- continuation

We are now less than a week from leaving.  3 days to go, 3 days!  We can hardly believe it.  We’ve been checking off the last few items on the To Do list and spending numerous sleepless nights rehashing “what ifs”.  The dream is taking shape. Continue reading The Dream Takes Shape- continued prior

 

November 7 is our goal date to shove off the dock here at Seabrook Marina.  Tim has spent his last 2 weeks cocooned in the engine room finishing projects.  I have packed up my sewing machine and decided I’m finished with my projects for now.  The closer we get to our “date”, the more I think back to the beginnings of this dream.  Let me take you back. Continue reading The Dream Awakens