We are here to get the stabilizers worked on and a few other items. The parked us next to Cotten Blossom which is an old paddle wheeler that gave rides in New Orleans and was moved to Maddissionville. The new owners are taking her to Tusculusa Alabama for a retrofit and upgrades.
Probably our best day yet, maybe because it was the shortest so far (about 65 miles) and it was a clear day. Made it to Dog River Marina about 3:30 this afternoon. Below is a picture of Dauphine Island Bridge leaving Mississippi Sound behind us and interning Mobile Bay.
Today was a bit chilly but it was sunny with calm winds. We had 2 train bridges that needed to be open and had only about a 15 min delay at each which was good considering our train bridge luck.
Above is the Rigolets Railroad Bridge
Took this picture as we were coming into Biloxi Mississippi.
Sunset from our Marina looking over Mississippi Sound
Short travel day today. Left the fuel dock at Southshore Marina and made the 1 hour boat ride into Lake Pontchartrain and Orleans Marina. The picture is of the Southern Yatch Club facility and enterence to the Orleans Marina. We walked to Russels Marina Grill and had breakfast with Ray Blanchard’s kids. After breakfast Nick was kind enough to take us shopping and a city tour.
We left Houma at 6:15 because we wanted to get an early start to the day. We had 2 high traffic locks to go thru, the Harvey Lock taking us from the Intercoastal waterway into the Mississippi River and the Industrial Lock taking us from the Mississsippi River back into the Intercoastal waterway and Lake Pontchartrain. We got to the Harvy Locks about 11:30 am and had to wait until 2:30 before it was our turn to go in. After we locked into the Mississippi we went down stream past downtown New Orleans and Jackson Square. We rushed to the Industrial Locks because they are closed from 3:30 to 5:45 due to high vehicle traffic. We got to the Industrial Locks at 3:25 and were told we would have to wait until 5:45. We Locked with 2 other boats and then off to Lake Pontchartrain. The L & N Train Bridge was closed because of a train and we had to wait 2 hours for it to open. We then headed into Lake Pontchartrain and deceided to turn around and go to Seabrook Marina and wait for calmer seas and sunshine. We tied up to the fuel dock about 10:00 pm, in time to have a cocktail and watch the 10:00 news. Will head to New Orleans Marina in Lake Pontchartrain in the morning.
Looking eastbound into the Harvey Locks
Downtown New Orleans
Jackson Square
We are in the Industrial Lock tied to Melvin R Todd and behind Angelica E
Stayed tied to the dock again and let the high winds pass. I took this morning sunrise picture as the sky’s are starting to clear and it turned out to be a sunny day just on the windy side. Walked around the old town of Houma and had lunch at Milano’s which is the same place June and I had dinner on Valentine’s Day 2015 when we were bringing our boat back from Maddissionville. Plan to leave early tomorrow and head to New Orleans and on to Lake Pontchartrain. See attached link of 3 water spouts on Lake Pontchartrain taken yesterday. I think we made the right choice to stay in Houma. http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2016/02/video_captures_triple_water_sp_1.html
Today we stayed at the dock and awaited the upcoming storms. Decided to go out for a late breakfast at The Pit Stop. We both had Chicken and Sausage Gumbo with a side of Potato Salad and Rice. That’s how it is served in Cajun country. Yum
We did get a lot of wind and rain, the worst of the weather was northwest and east of us. They had tornados by Baton Rouge and in the New Orleans area which is about 40 miles away from us so we felt lucky. Wednesday is supposed to be windy with winds in the 25 mph range so I think we are going to sit in Houma an extra day and explore Houma since the rain is gone.
Had a wet and windy run to Houma yesterday. When we pulled into the Houma City Marina their were 4 other boats tied to the dock, a big boat from Florida and 3 sailboats from Kemah Texas. They are a group of friends from Arizona and Colorodo who recently purchased their boats and are going to the Florida Keys.
We ago going to spend the day in Houma because a big weather system is going to move in this afternoon bringing high winds and rain. Probibly plan on staying in Houma Wednesday too before moving on to New Orleans.
Left the Golden Nugget docks at 6:30 to get an early start only to be held up for an hour wait, to go thru the Calcasieu Locks.
We radioed the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge and the Grand Lake Pontgoon Bridge and both opened with no wait time. The Leland Bowman Lock opened for us when we arrived so no wait time. Bringing our boat back from Madisonville we had to wait 2 hours to get thru. Made it to Shell Morgan by 5:00 and pulled up to the fuel dock to get fuel so we could get an early start but they were closed since it was Sunday. Hum I guess this retirement is starting to work because Ray and I did not know what day it was.
Got up early only to watch it rain, so we waited for the rain to stop to get fuel, Diesel is $1.43 a gallon at Shell Morgan. The fog this morning is about an 1/8 mile so we are heading out loving our radar.
Long day arriving at the Gold Nugget around 8:30. A fair amount of barge traffic along the way.
Still dealing with the house battery’s not charging enough or charging period on the engines alone. We are running the generator and using the battery charger to charge the house batterys and are having no issues. Good news is we are running the ice maker since we have the generator on.
We got up and 5:00 and did engine checks and we’re off the dock at 6:30. We are waiting at the Calcasieu Locks now, a east bound barge just went in front of us and we have to wait on a west bound barge and then it will be our turn.
