Sunday, June 23, 2013

We are Now at Anchor in Pensacola Florida

We left Houma early so we could make to New Orleans before dark. So far we had managed to be at anchor or tied to a pier before dusk and as all sailors like to do, make it in time for a nice sundowner. The trip down the ICW was a bit slow at times but for the most part we were able to do about 7 knots with a favorable current.

We had talked to the tows and had found out that the Algeirs locks were out of order and that all water traffic was being sent through the Harvey locks. Most commercial traffic use the Algiers. As we got closer to the Mississippi we started to see tows and their barges pushed against the bank everywhere so I was not sure if we would even be able to get through. I was hearing the lock tender assign numbers as high as 105 to pass through the locks. Well being a persistent I kept going around all the town and through the bridges until I got near the lock. I called the lock tender on the radio and told him our intentions to go to New Orleans and requested to be locked through. He came back on the radio and had us standby near the lock entrance. He said he had a tow about to leave the lock and for us to pull in as soon as it passed us. When the tow passed we pulled in and attached a line to a bollard. The mighty Mississippi River was running high and fast so we were going to be raised about 10 feet. Once we were raised to meet the level of the river, they opened the gates and off we went down the Mississippi River under the famous bridge and along the waterfront by the French Quarter.

We had to go back in at the Industrial locks to continue East. We got to the locks at the bridge curfew time and had to wait for about 2 hours and then the lock tender was a real ass hole. But once we got through the lock and bridges, we headed towards Pontchartrain Landing Marina. Pontchartrain Landing looks like a resort for R/V's and boats. It is beautifully landscaped with a pool, waterfall, hot tub, nice open air bar, restaurant and a shuttle to the French Quarter. We ended up staying two nights.

We met another couple, Stephen and Gail on s/v Gail Merry. They had just bought a brand new Hunter from Nauti-Share in Kemah Tx., hired a captain from Hitchcock, Tx., and was headed to Miami Florida. Well they hired a real Captain Ron. He was supposed to take them from Galveston to Florida offshore. As soon as they got offshore he got so sea sick he was incapacitated. They went in at Sabine Pass and then took the ICW. There captain had never been in the ICW and it was a nightmare. Their generator had quit along the route and the captain did not have any repair skills. I went to his boat and showed him where his through hulls and strainers were, cleared the strainers and then checked the raw water impeller on the generator. The impeller had been destroyed due to lack of raw water flow. He fired the captain and send him home.

The next day we all went to the French Quarter had some drinks and a good time. We had a really nice New Orleans seafood dinner at one of the fine restaurants and them headed back to the marina.

After getting fuel the next morning we headed East to Gulfport Mississippi. We went to the small craft harbor. Right before we headed up the channel we were hit by a squall that brought up 6 foot waves and 45 knot winds with driving rain. Two cats got seasick and everything in the boat thrown around. We finally got into the marina and hooked up. The wind had blown all the water out of the harbor and it was almost impossible to get off the boat. The harbor was all brand new with hundreds of slips ad only $1.00 a foot, but it was hard to tie up to in a low tide / water situation. Very friendly and helpful staff through. We did not do anything in Gulfport and I would like to spend more time there in the future. It looks like a really nice town.

The next morning we headed to Dauphin Island and anchored for the night off the North side of the island in about 8 feet of water.

The next morning we pulled up anchor and planned to stay go to Orange Beach Al. and stay at a marina for the night. As we were headed there, my friend Dauphin kept texting me about his sister Joyce headed towards Pensacola on her boat. Then Joyce started texting me saying that her and Fred were anchored at Ft. McCree by Pensacola. Well when we got to Orange Beach it was so busy with boats that we decided to go on. We got to Ft. McCree and was met by Joyce and Fred (their boat is Neon Moon) in their dinghy to lead us in the entrance. Being a Saturday the anchorage was full and a party was everywhere on the beaches and in the water. We decided it was to busy and decided to anchor off Redfish Point which is located next to Ft. McCree. This is a real nice anchorage with many sailboats. Most all of them have dogs and cats aboard too. The water is clear and the beach is beautiful. We were treated to a fantastic super moon for the night.

Not sure what our plans are for today except to visit with Joyce and Fred and tell stories on Dauphin, her brother and my friend.







































Sunday, June 16, 2013

Pictures Around the Bayou at Houma Louisana

 These are just some of the sights along the bayou here at Houma.









DOING SOME CRUISING LAUNDRY

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Delcambre to Houma Downtown Municipal Marina

We got up early Friday morning (6-14-13 my birthday) and got ready to leave. Once we untied the dock lines we went to LeBlanc Fuel Dock to fill up with Diesel. The diesel at LeBlanc's was only $3.16 a gallon..... I can't remember the last time I paid this little for fuel. This is just another reason to visit Delcambre North Pier Marina. They had someone there to help you tie up and then leave.




We then headed down the bayou towards the ICW. Once we got to the ICW we turned East. There was not very much to see along this section except some wildlife. We had a gator that was about 10 feet long check out the boat as we passed by. He was a little camera shy so I couldn't get a picture.

We came across the a rig in the ICW that Jimmy Roller the Big Captain of the Bayou Crew Boats works on. Jimmy was not there when we passed. So we sent him a picture of the rig to remind him to go back to work so I can stay retired.






We got a little shower and then it got really hot for a while. I was showing 105 degrees in the shade of the Bimini in the cockpit. The temp gage is located on the helm next to the chart plotter.







We finally arrived at Morgan City about 4:30pm and tied up to the old shrimp docks, which is now call the Morgan Municipal Pleasure
Boat Pier..... Well nothing has changed. It is still an old shrimp dock. There were about 5 shrimp boats there but plenty of room for Greg's boat and Barefoot Babe.
I would not recommend the pier unless you only stay one night. There are no cleats, and your electric cord will not reach to the power and may not even fit. The water facet can not be reached either with a normal 75 / 100 foot hose.



The only reason to spend more time here is to see the town of Morgan City. The docks are right in the middle of the old area with quaint buildings and nice restaurants. And all the people were friendly too.

Early the next morning we headed to Houma Louisiana. They have a very nice marina next to the ICW and it is built in a park like atmosphere.

We arrived there early, about 12:30pm so we could get the pick of the slips. All the slips are a first come, first serve. So it pays to get here early just in case there are no slips available and you have to find an alternative location for the night.

Once we got tied up to our slip, we called Ray the Harbor Master. He came over to the marina and turned on our electricity and collected our slip rental. The slip rental is $25.00 a night and includes water, electricity, trash, and pump out. And of course complete use of all the park facilities. We plan on staying at least one night, maybe two.