Left Shell Morgan in a light fog but the fog cleared within an hour and it became a beautiful day. We had 28 Bald Eagle Sighting as we traveled thru the swamp.
A Blue Heron watched us as we went thru the Bayou Boeuf Locks in Morgan City
One of our many Eagle sightings
Our Track for the day 
Our first pleasure boat that we crossed
We left Lake Charles down the Calcasieu River to the Calcasieu Locks where we had to wait over an hour to get thru. Traffic was backed up so felt lucky that they let us scoot thru while they were changing a sump pump. The barges around us had run themselves aground while they were waiting for the repairs on the lock to be done. Below is the crew on the lock gate with the new sump pump in hand.
We did get some rain in the late afternoon but nothing like the storms from the day before. We took on 400 gallons of Diesel in the rain at Shell Morgan (which is known to have the cheapest diesel around) just after a big Shrimp Boat that had taken on 19,000 gallons. Talking to the fuel dock attendant he said the Shrimp Boat holds 40,000 gallons.
The rain stopped for evening and we spent the night tied to the fuel dock since the one 50 amp plug slip was taken and ran the generator for power. We had John’s gumbo for dinner and a beautiful sunset.
We left Crystal Beach at 6:30 under the threat of thunderstorms, we made it as far as Port Arthur before our luck ran out. When the storm hit we were slammed for about 30 min of high winds and rain, then it just rained for about 3 hours. The pictures below tell the story better then I can. We are the blue dot under the “m” in Beaumont.
Our friend David Koons is working on a LNG construction project in Hackberry LA. He was able to join us for dinner and drinks on the boat while we were tied up at the Golden Nugget. This is my 3rd trip to Lake Charles and the first time in the daylight; I like daylight arrivals.
LNG Plant in Hackberry LA where David Koons is working
Golden Nugget in the daylight
Enjoying appetizers before dinner
We delayed leaving Kemah a day because of all the HEAVY rains Houston received. We left Tuesday afternoon under cloudy skies and lucked out on our way to Crystal Beach with no rain. Both ship channel traffic and Intracoastal traffic was heavier than normal because of the weather yesterday. On Bolivar Peninsula the barges were stacked along the bank more than I have ever seen. We heard on the radio that the Brazos River Flood Gates were closed and we think this is the reason for the pile up.
We arrived at Luke and Jiliene’s place in Crystal Beach about 6:00 and tied up and plugged in for the night (thanks guys). Had a few cocktails and John cooked Chicken Fagitas for dinner. Tomorrow we are off to Lake Charles.