Month: April 2016

We watched the weather this morning and deceided to stay here for the day.  The storms came in later than predicted, even though the worst of the weather went offshore we did get some wind and waves in the Marina.  We were glad we stayed in and were not out in the weather, we will head to Dog River AL in the morning. Continue reading Day 10 Palafox Marina Pensacola FL – 0 miles traveled

Today was our shortest travel day be the most scenic so far.  When heading into Flordia the water has that blue green look and the sand turns white.  We pulled into Palafox Marina which is in the old downtown Pensacola area.  They have been renovating the area with lots of restaurants and bars. Continue reading Day 9 The Wharf to Pensacola FL – 31 miles traveled

We traveled east of Mobile Bay to a marina called The Wharf .  The Wharf is a nice condo complex with lots of shopping and restaurants in the area.  We ran into Barb and Josh Wallach who were their from Portofino Marina in Kemah TX.  Went out to dinner at with Dorothy’s cousin Terri at Villaggio Grille.  We passed LuLu’s in Gulf Shores AL which is famous because LuLu is Jimmy Buffet’s sister. Continue reading Day 8 Cat Island to The Wharf in Orange Beach AL – 91 miles traveled 

Below is our track from New Orleans to Cat Island.  We had a nice run and anchored in a spot called Little Bend. Continue reading Day 7 New Orleans to Cat Island in Mississippi Sound -65 miles traveled

We had a lazy morning doing boat chores and laundry. Took the Ponchantrain Landing shuttle to the French Quarter and walked around Bourbon Street people watching.  We then stopped in at The Old Absinthe House for a few libations before going to dinner.  Who knew you could have weed delivered in New Orleans?  Maybe  they were just in for Jazz Fest. Continue reading Day 6 New Orleans – 0 miles traveled (unless you count shuttles and taxis)

Today was a big day as we went thru the Algiers Lock into the Mississippi River and then thru the Industrial Lock out of the Mississippi River.  We had a 1 hour wait at the Algiers Lock and a 2-1/2 hour wait at the Industrial lock before we went thru.  Felt lucky getting thru because the commercial traffic is waiting 2 days now. Continue reading Day 5 Houma to New Orleans – 70 miles traveled

Left Shell Morgan in a light fog but the fog cleared within an hour and it became a beautiful day.  We had 28 Bald Eagle Sighting as we traveled thru the swamp. 

  A Blue Heron watched us as we went thru the Bayou Boeuf Locks in Morgan City  
  
One of our many Eagle sightings   
Our Track for the day   
  Our first pleasure boat that we crossed  
 

We left Lake Charles down the Calcasieu River to the Calcasieu Locks where we had to wait over an hour to get thru.  Traffic was backed up so felt lucky that they let us scoot thru while they were changing a sump pump.  The barges around us had run themselves aground while they were waiting for the repairs on the lock to be done.  Below is the crew on the lock gate with the new sump pump in hand.   

 We did get some rain in the late afternoon but nothing like the storms from the day before.  We took on 400 gallons of Diesel in the rain at Shell Morgan (which is known to have the cheapest diesel around) just after a big Shrimp Boat that had taken on 19,000 gallons.  Talking to the fuel dock attendant he said the Shrimp Boat holds 40,000 gallons.   

 The rain stopped for evening and we spent the night tied to the fuel dock since the one 50 amp plug slip was taken and ran the generator for power.  We had John’s gumbo for dinner and a beautiful sunset.

 

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

  
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.