9/14/2014 - Sunday - Mermentau River to Port of Delcambre

Our day started with overcast skies, a light mist and still, cool air.

Some Bayou Camps along the way

Baby Calf Stranded

We received a call from AGoode Ketch saying that a calf was stranded along the bank.  Josh and I started looking all over for it.  We told Ron and Linda to get the GPS coordinates of the calf's location.  I grabbed my camera and started taking pictures and also grabbed my cell phone to find out where we were.  Josh used his phone to find the number for the police department and relayed the information to Linda.  Several phone calls later the sheriff's department said they would take care of it.  We all hoped for the best for this little calf.

Going through the Leland-Bowman Locks

This was unexpected - a speed sign on the ICWW?  LOL

 

Welcome to Delcambre North Pier Marina

Once we turned off the ICW it took us an hour to get to the marina.  I was in communication with our contact Katherine from the time we left the ICW.  Seven miles seemed long, but all of a sudden there it was!  The whole town! We had an outstanding welcoming committee to help us in.  With all new places, we did not know what to expect.  They did tell us about the strong tidal current and yes, they were right! there was definitely a current.  Josh had to do a round-a-bout and come back into our assigned slip from upstream.  The two sailboats had to go to their long dock and were not able to get up to the bulkhead because of shallow water.  When the front came through the water went out.  One boat was given a makeshift ramp to get on and off and the other we just pulled the bow in.

 Josh is so funny!

Our boat neighbor!

I hope Teak does not confuse "grass" with "hatch" like Lexie did!!!!!

Dinner at the Boiling Point

Katherine thought we would have cabin fever so she suggested we go out to dinner.  What a great suggestion!  Thank you Katherine, Jim and Glo, our Delcambre tour guides!!!!!!!

9/13/2014 - Saturday - Lake Charles to Mermentau River Anchorage

What a difference in temperature!  We had a nice cool day and night (69/70,s) with a light breeze.  Great weather for anchoring with no mosquitoes.

Going through the Calcasieu Locks

Mermentau River Anchorage

9/11 & 12/2014 - Thursday & Friday - Lake Charles

One planned rest day and one unexpected rain day!  We decided to stay an extra day because a cold front was coming through.

9/10/2014 - Wednesday - Taylor Outfall Canal to Lake Charles

What a beautiful morning with a light breeze!  I decided to check out the mosquito situation before taking Teak out and as I looked over the side there was a BIG splash.  A fish couldn't be that big, maybe it was a gator!  I looked all around and did not see one so I decided to take Teak to the bow (potty time).  It might have been a gator because there was one checking out La Vie Dansante.

We arrived in Lake Charles with time to fuel up and get ice at Bow Tie before heading to the City Marina.  Tomorrow will be a rest day and AGood Ketch will once again join us.

9/9/2014 - Tuesday - Laguna Harbor to Taylor Outfall Canal (mile 290)

Our departure time was 8:00 AM (except for More Good Timin').   They wanted to leave a little earlier to make sure they caught the high tide.  

Somewhere near Stingaree Marina we had to wait for a cruiser to come by before we could pass a tow.  This cruiser decided to take his time.  We just couldn't understand why this boat was going so slow until it passed.  What a surprise!  WAIT! This is still Texas!  This is something that you would see in Louisiana!!!!  A Carver with an outboard?

We arrived at Taylor Outfall mid-afternoon.  It was a very hot day and hot night.  We had to run our generator periodically to keep cool.

 

9/8/2014 - Monday - Clear Lake to Laguna Harbor

We just couldn't wait any longer!  The Goin' East cruisers had enough time provisioning and preparing and said "enough is enough - lets go!"  We all started out a day early for the short trip to Bolivar's Laguna Harbor.  On the way AGoode Ketch started having instrument problems and decided to head back for repairs.

Getting ready for a long trip takes time and there will always be something that you keep thinking you need to do.  It never ends!  Five of us headed out to Galveston, making our trip to Taylor Outfall Canal the next day a little shorter. 

Goin’ East Second Meeting

The Waghornes, Rogers, Grooms/Norwood and Wallachs met at PHYC clubhouse once again to review our cruising plan from Clear Lake to the Mississippi / Alabama area.  We discussed our options for the Lafitte, LA area (anchorages, Marinas, and other possible stopping spots), spare parts and anchoring techniques.  An announcement was made by the Grooms/Norwood that they are now thinking about just going into Alabama (LuLu’s and The Wharf Marina) and hanging around that area instead of going up the Tenn-Tom with us as planned.  The Rogers are still going to continue as planned to head into Florida for the winter before heading to the Chesapeake.

 

We are all aware that weather will play a big part in this plan but our targeted departure date is still September 9th.  Those of us who still plan to do the Tenn-Tom will have plenty of time to discuss that part of the trip once we get to Turner Marine in Mobile, Alabama. 

 

It’s countdown time!