Author: tim.june.sndr@hotmail.com

Day 2 Crystal Beach to Lake Charles – 109 miles traveled

We left Crystal Beach at 6:30 under the threat of thunderstorms, we made it as far as Port Arthur before our luck ran out.  When the storm hit we were slammed for about 30 min of high winds and rain, then it just rained for about 3 hours.  The pictures below tell the story better then I can.  We are the blue dot under the “m” in Beaumont.

   
   
Our friend David Koons is working on a LNG construction project in Hackberry LA.  He was able to join us for dinner and drinks on the boat while we were tied up at the Golden Nugget.  This is my 3rd trip to Lake Charles and the first time in the daylight; I like daylight arrivals.

  
LNG Plant in Hackberry LA where David Koons is working

  
Golden Nugget in the daylight

  
Enjoying appetizers before dinner

Day 1 of taking Serenity from Kemah TX to Crystal Beach TX with final destination Dog River Alabama – 35 miles traveled 

  
We delayed leaving Kemah a day because of all the HEAVY rains Houston received.  We left Tuesday afternoon under cloudy skies and lucked out on our way to Crystal Beach with no rain.  Both ship channel traffic and Intracoastal traffic was heavier than normal because of the weather yesterday. On Bolivar Peninsula the barges were stacked along the bank more than I have ever seen.  We heard on the radio that the Brazos River Flood Gates were closed and we think this is the reason for the pile up.

We arrived at Luke and Jiliene’s place in Crystal Beach about 6:00 and tied up and plugged in for the night (thanks guys).  Had a few cocktails and John cooked Chicken Fagitas for dinner.  Tomorrow we are off to Lake Charles.

Day 15 Dog River Marina to Biloxi Mississippi

We left Dog River Marina in the morning and motored through light rain for several hours.  As we were entering Mississippi sound we saw 2 replica boats for the Nina and Pinta heading east.   Today was also going to be crew change day as Jim Adams and Allan Batchelor are driving my truck from Clear Lakes Shores to get on the boat to take her back to Seabrook.

 
Picture of Point Cadet Marina and the Golden Nugget Casino 

 

Day 12, 13 and 14 at Dog River Marina

After the mechanics looked at the boat and did some trouble shooting on Monday and Tuesday parts were ordered and today Wednsday is the big day to get started on the repairs.  Inheritance Thief was pulled out of the water this morning so the stabilizers could be serviced and the seals changed.

 

The stabilizer fins are removed using a special hydraulic fitting on a portable power pack.

  
After the seals were replaced the fins are installed and checked for alignment then torqued.

  
  
The battery isolator switch was bad and was replaced which was why the house battery’s were not being charged by the engine and causing our low battery issue.  Went for an hour and a half sea trail this afternoon and everything is working correctly. Ray and I had doubts the shipyard would finish today so we delayed the crew change for me until tomorrow Thursday.  We are going to head to Biloxi Mississippi in the morning where Jim Adams and Allan Batchelor from Clear Lake Shores will take over for me.

Day 11 at Dog River Marina

We are here to get the stabilizers worked on and a few other items.  The parked us next to Cotten Blossom which is an old paddle wheeler that gave rides in New Orleans and was moved to Maddissionville.  The new owners are taking her to Tusculusa Alabama for a retrofit and upgrades.

   
 

Day 9 Orleans Marina to Biloxi Mississippi

Today was a bit chilly but it was sunny with calm winds.  We had 2 train bridges that needed to be open and had only about a 15 min delay at each which was good considering our train bridge luck. 

  
Above is the Rigolets Railroad Bridge

  
Took this picture as we were coming into Biloxi Mississippi.

  
Sunset from our Marina looking over Mississippi Sound

Day 8 Southshore Marina to Orleans Marina

Short travel day today.  Left the fuel dock at Southshore Marina and made the 1 hour boat ride into Lake Pontchartrain and Orleans Marina.  The picture is of the Southern Yatch Club facility and enterence to the Orleans Marina.  We walked to Russels Marina Grill and had breakfast with Ray Blanchard’s kids.  After breakfast Nick was kind enough to take us shopping and a city tour.

  

Day 7 Houma to New Orleans

We left Houma at 6:15 because we wanted to get an early start to the day.  We had 2 high traffic locks to go thru, the Harvey Lock taking us from the Intercoastal waterway into the Mississippi River and the Industrial Lock taking us from the Mississsippi River back into the Intercoastal waterway and Lake Pontchartrain.  We got to the Harvy Locks about 11:30 am and had to wait until 2:30 before it was our turn to go in.  After we locked into the Mississippi we went down stream past downtown New Orleans and Jackson Square.  We rushed to the Industrial Locks because they are closed from 3:30 to 5:45 due to high vehicle traffic.  We got to the Industrial Locks at 3:25 and were told we would have to wait until 5:45.  We Locked with 2 other boats and then off to Lake Pontchartrain.  The L & N Train Bridge was closed because of a train and we had to wait 2 hours for it to open.  We then headed into Lake Pontchartrain and deceided to turn around and go to Seabrook Marina and wait for calmer seas and sunshine.  We tied up to the fuel dock about 10:00 pm, in time to have a cocktail and watch the 10:00 news.  Will head to New Orleans Marina in Lake Pontchartrain in the morning.

  
Looking eastbound into the Harvey Locks

  
Downtown New Orleans

  
Jackson Square

  
We are in the Industrial Lock tied to Melvin R Todd and behind Angelica E

Day 6 in Houma

Stayed tied to the dock again and let the high winds pass.  I took this morning sunrise picture as the sky’s are starting to clear and it turned out to be a sunny day just on the windy side.  Walked around the old town of Houma and had lunch at Milano’s which is the same place June and I had dinner on Valentine’s Day 2015 when we were bringing our boat back from Maddissionville.  Plan to leave early tomorrow and head to New Orleans and on to Lake Pontchartrain.  See attached link of 3 water spouts on Lake Pontchartrain taken yesterday.  I think we made the right choice to stay in Houma.  http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/02/video_captures_triple_water_sp_1.html