Galveston Tx. To Delcambre La.

Our first stop after leaving Watergate Marina was Offats Bayou at Galveston Island. When we arrived we were warned of a severe storm headed our way so we decided to tie up to the Moody Gardens marina slips. It was a really good decision because the storm produced rain, lightning, and winds gusted to almost 60 miles an hour. Thought we were in a tropical storm.

After the storm passed we were given some beautiful days to enjoy. So we decided to stay a couple of more nights at the marina. Help give Elaine time to heal from her fall too.


Greg, Ann, and I decided that with the sun shining and happy hour coming on we would partake of
the swim up bar located in the pool of the hotel. So we went on over and swam up to our barstools and order a couple beers and a pina colada. After enjoying some cool refreshing beverages we went back to the boat and enjoyed the evening with a movie.

On Saturday we were joined by Pat and Gale on s/v Copy Cat. They took a slip and were going to head to Florida with us. Pat and Gale have some property in Florida and are moving Copy Cat there.

On Sunday we headed out to Galveston Yacht Basin to fill up with diesel. We left out Offats Bayou, under the I-45 and Railroad Lifting Bridge then through the Pelican Island Bridge. As we entered the Galveston Harbor we were greeted by Dolphins playing around the boat. The cruise ship was in port so we had to give it a wide berth. Once we got to the yacht basin fuel dock, I filled Barefoot Babe up with diesel @ $3.79 a gallon. Nice!! Copy Cay need fuel too, so Nauti-Gal and I did circles in Tea Cup anchorage till he was ready to go.

We all then headed East across the Houston Ship Channel toward the Boliver cut to enter the ICW Eastbound. My crew already started to loaf on deck.

There was quite a bit of barge traffic on this stretch of the ICW. We made sure that we were in contact with the barge Captains to ensure that we always had a safe passing or crossing. They are so big that they would not even feel it if they hit you so safety is always first.

When we were approaching the High Island Bridge all three boat had just passed an extra large tow. While we were passing the barge a storm hit that produced 45 knot winds and rain. Copy Cat was the last boat to pass and was about 1/2 ahead of the barge when he radioed he lost his engine. He quickly got to the side of the ICW and deployed his anchored. I then warned the oncoming tows of his situation. When he could not get his motor going, he contacted Tow Boat US. Once we knew he was ok, Barefoot Babe and Nauti-Gal then proceeded on without any further problems.

We arrived at Taylor Outfall Canal, our anchorage for the night. The anchorage was beautiful, secluded, and we had it all to ourselves. We arrived a couple hours before sunset, had dinner and a sundowner to celebrate a beautiful sunset. We then made sure all the screens were on because as soon as the sun went down, all the bugs in the marsh came out to check the boats.




The next morning we pulled up anchor and headed to Lake Charles. We went through the Port of Port Arthur and had to make way for a couple of big boys heading out to sea. The pilot called us and was very courteous about his ships intentions. We make sure to give him a wide berth.

After we got past Port Arthur we set up an opening for the Ellender bridge. It is 50' closed and we can not get under it. We had a 3:00pm opening and arrived about 25 minutes early. So we did the ICW dance for awhile. 

We decided to stay at a marina for the night so we could give the dogs some land time and we could have a nice dinner at a sit down restaurant. So I contacted the LeBerge Dulac Casino and secured a couple slips for the night. We pulled in there and had the marina all to ourselves. After a nice shower and getting dressed Elaine and I along with Greg and Ann went through a stroll through the hotel casino and then had dinner at the Jack Daniels Restaurant. The food was good, service slow and a bit pricy but it is a casino. Did a little after dinner gambling and then back to the boat and walk the dogs for the night.


The next morning we headed out for the Mermantau River. As we were leaving Lake Charles I noticed a ship that had been involved with another ship. It had been run into in the structure that houses the crew.

As we entered the ICW E/B we came up to the first lock. I contacted the lock and they wanted to just float us through. We went on through without having to wait.

We did not encounter very much barge traffic and had a nice trip east. Passed some interesting Louisiana real estate too. Got to the river and anchored in an oxbow about 1/2 mile upriver. The water was very smooth and the anchor holding excellent. Lots of wildlife too. The next morning we pulled up anchor while being greeted by a nice sunrise and headed towards Delcambre La.




The trip East was very easy with very little barge traffic. We did have to go through another set of

locks and had to wait for about 45 minutes to get through. Once through we were traveling down the ICW east at a nice pace. We arrived at Bayou Petite Anse and headed North up the bayou. My charts on the chart plotter ran out about two miles up the bayou and showed me on land. So now I reverted to my old river boat pilot skills. Just kept the boat between the banks and looked for the deepest water. NO Problem..... After about 7 miles we arrived at the North Pier Marina in the Port of Delcambre. We were greeted by people on the pier who helped up dock and get set up. We then got Nauti-Gal docked in front of us.

After everyone was docked Katherine Kenworthy, who in the Port Marketing Manager came to the
boats and welcomed us to Delcambre with gifts. REALLY NICE GIFTS!!!!!. Everyone here is really nice, friendly, gives great customer service. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO COME HERE!!!!!

While dinking around I met a man that was shrimping while his boat was tied to a dock. He invited me aboard for a beer and to show me how he shrimps. I tied up the dink and then spent some time drinking beer and learning to shrimp, docked style.

Today we are going to be given the royal tour of the area and attractions. There is a lot of plantations and the Tabasco factory at Avery Island to see. Off to meet people and see the area.......