12/4/2014 to 12/6/2014 - New Orleans

12/4/2014 - Thursday

We woke up to heavy fog!  It was thick until around 11:00 AM and then the sun started to peek out.  Thank goodness we were not planning on leaving because it was not a good day for traveling.  I put chicken in the slow cooker for our dinner and we went for a walk over to Pontchartrain Landing RV and Marina to talk to Nate (the manager) about the slip situation.  He apologized and said he will have a talk with the people in the front office.  He said that we could move into one of the slips but since we already paid at Seabrook we decided to stay here.  Teak did not like the walk too much because the road was rocky, the grass had "sticker burrs" and it hurt her paws.  I had to carry her off and on when she refused to move!  The rest of the day Josh watched TV and I read my book.....

Come on mom, it's time to go out!

Love the skeleton on the bow! We need this!!!!

12/5/2014 - Friday

We walked over to Pontchartrain Landing and took the 10:00 AM bus into downtown. Our last beignets and "people watching" in New Orleans for a while!  We walked all around the French Quarter until the 4:00 PM bus pick up.  Our feet hurt, but great exercise!  On our way to get beignets we got to watch some of the filming of NCIS New Orleans. Saw Scott Bakula! We just could not leave New Orleans without buying something so Josh bought a top hat for the TMCA Commodore's Ball and I bought a Mardi Gras wig.  Let's talk about the people watching!  Everywhere you look you would see people or bands playing some kind of music and all kinds of street performers doing something for money.  Some are good and some... WELL... what can I say!  It looks like more people are coming to New Orleans and trying to make a living on the streets.  On our bus trip home the bus driver took us through residential neighborhoods because the freeway was backed up.  He pointed out the bad areas and not-so-bad areas but he did say almost all of New Orleans is now pretty bad.  What really got to me was seeing new homes being built and they were already covered with graffiti.  It's really sad to see so much vandalism.  I do not understand why people have no respect for the property of others.

NCIS New Orleans being filmed

 Yum! Beignets!

Gators, not Reindeer!

Street performers

  

 

12/6/2014 Saturday

Fog again this morning, but dissipated by 8:00 AM and the sun came out looking like it was going to be a nice day.  I cleaned the inside of the boat and Josh filled the water tanks for our departure tomorrow.  When I took Teak out at 10 AM and Josh headed to the office to pay for another night, the temperature felt different.  It was like a blast of cold air and all of a sudden, the fog came rolling in again.  Within minutes we were totally fogged in!  I hope it's not like this tomorrow or we stay put!!!!!  The rest of the day was gloomy and Josh watched old movies on TV and I read a book.

Look what came in sometime yesterday!  They are brand new, one inflatable with four engines and one Whaler with two engines.  They are ready to catch some bad guys!!!!

12/3/2014 - Wednesday - Biloxi Mississippi to New Orleans

We headed out from Biloxi Point Cadet Marina at 6 AM (first light) with clear skies and a light breeze. The weather stations were calling for light winds and waves 1 to 2.  The problem was the wind was on our stern pushing us around which makes it not so pleasant.  We call it surfing the waves!  At one point we really started surfing and I though to myself, "five hours of this? Teak and I will both be sick".  Thank goodness it settled down some but not like yesterday.  It never became calm enough to walk around on the boat until noon when we got out of the sound.  Josh's arms got a workout in between using the auto pilot.  Our auto pilot really does not like large waves pushing us around on the stern, it just can't get it's act together so Josh has to take over.  I should be thankful, it could have been a lot worse!

Bye Bye Biloxi

Sunrise

On the Road Again!

Light chop

Looks like a shrimper sunk

Coming into New Orleans

Downtown New Orleans

We were trying to get to Seabrook Harbor Marina before 4 PM (closing) so we could fuel up before going to our slip.  It also would give us a preview as to what slip we were assigned and to prepare for docking.  Just our luck - a train was on the bridge!  After the train moved back and forth several times we were finally able to get through the bridge at 3:30 PM and made it to the fuel dock at 3:45 PM.

While getting fuel, we noticed that Pontchartrain Landing had several slips open.  We are not sure what is going on.  Before Thanksgiving when we were going to start heading back, they told us that they had no slips available so we decided to drive home and try again after the holiday.  We called them again when we got back to the boat and was told they did have a slip, so off we went!  When we called to confirm our arrival date we were told they did not have any open slips and they did not know who told us they had.  Very disappointing!  We could always rely on this place to stop when traveling through this area. 

Safely tucked away in our slip at Seabrook Harbor Marina.  It took us several tries to get in this slip because there is a strong current running through this part of the Industrial Canal.  Josh had to get the feel of how the boat was going to handle with the current and on our fourth try, VOILA!  We didn't even bump the poles and I lasso'ed our midships line to the dock cleat and with help from the thrusters we docked.  Hope we can get out with no problems!

We will stay at Seabrook Harbor Marina until Sunday when we will leave to do the locks and make it to Houma.

12/2/2014 - Tuesday - The Wharf Marina to Biloxi Mississippi

We headed out at 6:30 AM and the wind was light.  As we entered Mobile Bay we had a very light chop. As we got closer to the ship channel, the wind was blowing out of the north from Mobile and we started bouncing around quite a bit.  Teak and I were both thinking that this was not going to be good!  If this is how it's going to be all the way to Biloxi, we would both be sick!!!!  We bounced all the way to the Dauphin Island bridge but once we went through the bridge it was like night and day -  smooth as glass!  Thank goodness, because it was potty time for all of us.    

It continued being smooth until there was a break in the barrier islands and they did not protect us from the gulf so we started getting big swells coming at our port (left) side.  Teak could not eat lunch and at one point she almost started dusting the upper deck!  I had to hang on to her because we were really rocking!  All was good once we were once again protected by the islands and it stayed that way all the way to Biloxi.

Tomorrow it's on to New Orleans to the Seabrook Harbor Marina.  Pontchartrain Landing told us yesterday that they had a slip for us but when we called today they said "I do not know who you talked to, but we have nothing".  Thank goodness we called because this is not the first time someone said they could take us and then said they were full.  We called Seabrook and they were very nice and we have a slip starting tomorrow.  They did ask us how we were coming in because the Seabrook RR bridge is broken and will be closed until December 21st.  This may be the reason Pontchartrain Landing is full!  

Bye Bye Alabama

Dolphins playing all over

NOAA Research Vessel passing us

This was the calm! It's what we like!!!!!

   

Sunset at Biloxi Point Cadet Marina

11/23/2014 to 12/1/2014 - The Wharf Marina

Monday 11/24/2014. The marina office told us earlier in the day that a big boat (150 foot) named Freedom was coming in this afternoon.  They had to install large cleats on the long outside dock across from Jerry and Susan's boat for this boat to tie up to. 

We picked up our rent car around 2:00 and as we were heading back to the marina we saw the boat while going over the bridge by LuLu's.  We made it back to the marina before the boat arrived and watched them come in.

Tuesday, 11/25/2014. Road Trippin' Back to Clear Lake with Josh, Al, Lexie, Teak and me!

Thursday, 11/27/2014 Thanksgiving with our family.  Great job Michael and Traci!

Monday, 12/1/2014. The rent car had to be back by 2:00 PM so we had the morning to do whatever.  Yesterday we did our grocery shopping, so today we decided to make a final run to Joe Patti's.   Why not? we had several hours and this would be the last time for awhile!

Tomorrow we plan to head out for Biloxi.  Let's hope the winds and seas stay low and we have a nice trip.  Jerry and Susan stopped by our boat and gave us a nice Bon Voyage gift.  They will not be traveling back with us because they've decided to stay at The Wharf for awhile.  We'll miss having them with us and hope to do more cruising with them when they get back to Texas. 

11/20/2014 - 11/22/2014 - The Wharf Marina

11/20/2014 - Thursday

We tried to see if we could get a cheap rent car for the weekend to add on to our next week's rental but they were all out so we are stuck here until Monday.  As I said before, a few days at The Wharf is enough, not much to do, everything is too far away for walking or biking!

We asked Al and Kay if they would like to ride back to Texas with us on Tuesday.  They were planning to head back in December anyway so this would only be a few extra weeks ahead of their original plan.  They have now changed their plans and moved their boat to a better/safer slip also because the next time they come back to their boat will be around the first of next year.  

Late in the afternoon, Jerry and Susan returned from Texas with their car just in time for happy hour.

11/21/2014 - Friday

Beth and Randy left us to head back to Palafox so we all helped them cast off their lines and said our farewells.  We hope our paths with cross again in the future!  I found out that Kay's best friend's husband passed away last evening and she will be flying out tomorrow.  Al and Lexi will still be driving back to Texas with us on Tuesday.  It's amazing how things change, it makes you realize that if you want to do something you better do it and be prepared to "go with the flow"!

I did some laundry and then Josh and I walked the shops again.  We both looked at each other and said "Now What".  We do not pick up the car until Monday so we have several days here with nothing to do!  Josh started piddling around with A/C filters and I read my book.  We saw Al and Kay on their bikes and they were doing the same as us - bored and trying to find something to do. 

It was interesting talking to some of the Loop'ers who stop at this marina before heading out to places in Florida.  They all have stories about their adventures and some not so good ones!   I enjoyed looking at some of their blogs.  It reminds me of some of the larger TMCA trips but these are longer.  In one picture I counted 15 boats in a lock at one time.  All these boats travel together, competing for stopping places!  It does reinforce to Josh and I that we still have no interest in doing the Loop.

Phil and Matilde, TMCA friends and one of the couples who traveled with us back in 2012 stopped by to spend the night with Susan and Jerry before heading back to their boat in Florida.  We all got together for happy hour and had a great time catching up on their travels.

11/22/2014 - Saturday

Josh and I looked at each other and said "what are we going to do today"?  Let's see if we can get a ride to the outlet mall!  That would give us something to do.  I went to take my shower in the back shower and afterward I went to the forward head to remove my magnifying mirror off the wall mirror that is directly over the head (potty) and I heard a "plop".  Oh No!  One of the batteries on the back of the magnifying mirror dropped into it.  Josh said "what was that?"  I cringed and told him.  I will not go into detail of our conversation but (lesson learned) always keep the lid down!  I think I just gave us something to do today because Josh was thinking that he was going to have to take the head apart.  I felt really bad so I was thinking of some other way to get it out.  I asked Josh if he had a baster to remove the water and he did.  Once the water was removed VOILA! the little bugger came back in sight.  Josh used his "nose picker" (that's a tool) and plucked the battery out.  Thank goodness because I would have never heard the end of it. Batteries are now removed from mirror!

We talked to a gentleman today who did the loop and all the locks alone.  He was telling us that he used Gold's Gym Exercise Balls covered with mesh laundry bags, tied with a line attached for fenders.  You inflate the ball partly, insert them into the bag, inflate the ball the rest of the way, tie a knot and attach your line.  They are MUCH cheaper than real fender balls and he said they worked great.  Not one popped!  Several years ago someone told him about this at one of the looper rendezvous' so he decided to give it a try.  They fold up a lot better than the traditional boat ball fenders. That's a real space saving plus on a boat.

Phil and Matilde headed out around noon.  It was really great to see them!  We were planning to go to the outlet mall with Susan but she wanted to straighten up their boat and get ready for round two of their company so she told us to take the car.  Al was watching a football game so Josh and I headed out to the mall and walked around until the rain started to come in.  Thank you Susan! We really appreciated the use of the car!  After we got back Al, Josh and I went to Ginny Lane for an early dinner and then we went back to the boats for the evening.  Damp and rainy, not good!

11/19/2014 - Wednesday - The Wharf Marina

This morning the temperature was reading 30 degrees when we got up.  This is nuts!!!!!!  When I took Teak out the docks had a light frost on them and the marina had all the slip faucets running so the pipes would not freeze.  Teak and I walked very carefully! 

Our new plans!  We are moving the boat to a better slip today because we are renting a car on Monday the 24th and going home for a few days.  We will return the car on December 1st and then start looking for a weather window and hope that New Orleans has a slip for us.  They are going to keep us informed as something comes available.

Today was the first beautiful day after several not so nice days and boaters were on the move!  All afternoon we had several loop'ers come in.  The marina was filling up fast!  The dolphins love to play just outside the marina entrance and I guess they decided since is was so nice they would come out and play.  They would jump, roll and you could see their bellies, just a wonderful sight.

Tomorrow Al and Kay may head back to Palafox, then maybe on to Panama City Beach and Jerry and Susan should be back to their new home here at The Wharf.  The Clear Lake group is dissolving, we are all going our own different ways!

Around 4:30 PM we decided to have happy hour on the dock facing the ICW so we could see the dolphins play.  No such luck!  Too cool I guess because we did not stay out long either......

Before starting dinner I checked on Ron and Linda on the AIS and they are anchored at Ship Island.  They should have a calm and beautiful night!