Avery Island home of Tabasco

We left Houma and traveled to Avery Island. We stopped at Morgan City to fuel up then proceeded on. Finally found Avery Island and the dock. Some people who lived there let us tie up at dock in front of their house. I don't know if it was private or public, but they were kind enough to say go ahead. Got up this morning and toured the Tabasco plant, bought some souvenirs and walked back to the boat. Loaded up and left for Houma. This was the point where we decided to turn back east and head back home. It has been too stressful with the weather and finding fuel. Lots of barges and tug boats, even more so that on the Mississippi and Tenn-Tom we were on 3 years ago. This is suppose to be fun boating and it hasn't been. We are going to try and explore Lake Ponchatrain and take our time heading back east and explore those areas. I am glad we did it, but it's time to turn around. We arrived back in Houma this afternoon, tied up and went for a walk. Will leave tomorrow morning for Seabrook and back through the Harvey and Industrial locks.

Houma, La

We left New Orleans about 10:30am from Seabrook Marine. The wind was blowing, but not as much as it had the night before. Wanted to make it to Houma and knowing that we had enough fuel to get there and had called ahead to see if there was some available. We had to wait at least 45 minutes for the bridge to open then noon for the industrial lock. Rafted up to sailboat in the lock and it went pretty smoothly. Lock tender must not have had a food start this morning because he was a little crabby:) We cruised out of the lock and headed upstream on the Mississippi past New Orleans then we locked through the Harvey Lock and canal. Not much of a wait at all and we locked through with no problems. We were the only boat and the crew was nice. You do need at least 20 feet of line though, because it is about a ten foot drop and it is a cleat on the side wall. Usually they throw you a line or it is floating bollards that adjust with your boat. Luckily we have been through a fair amount of locks and was prepared. Not much to see along this route except big ships, tugs and so forth being worked on. We only went 54 miles and it took us all day. We arrived at Houma and plenty of dock space. Nice Town dock with electric and a laundromat within walking distance. Got a bite to eat while laundry was going and hydrated ourselves. We were both thirsty and drank three glasses of tea. Walked back to boat and after putting away laundry we both crashed. Next we are going to try to make it to Avery Island(Tabasco sauce) and probably turn around and head back. We left on the 7th  and in nine days we have only cruised this far because of weather. Gas not being available everywhere is an issue also.

New Orleans-Day two

Aquarium

Riding the streetcar

Streetcar driver

We went back into the city for the day since we couldn't cruise and bad weather was coming. Took a cab into the city and had them drop us off at the beginning of the the streetcar route uptown. We rode it all the way to the end and really enjoyed the scenery (beautiful homes) and mingling with the people. We went to the aquarium, ate at Landry's, walked around more and took a cab back to the boat around 7pm. Brad Pitt is filming a movie in New Orleans, but we never saw him. Just the film crews and prop guys. The cabbie told us that movies are always being filmed there and it was good for the economy of New Orleans.

A day in New Orleans

Jackson Square

Streets of New Orleans

French market

Cafe Du Mond

Riverwalk Sculpture

Took the cab into New Orleans and spent the day wondering around the french quarter, bourbon street and the waterfront. Had lunch at the Acme Oyster House, saw the market and had beignets at Cafe Du Mond.It was really nice just strolling around and not being in a hurry or there to see one particular thing. When we arrived back at marina our package was waiting for us and I installed the software update in GPS.  Whohoo it worked. We are expecting a storm with 15-25 knot winds tomorrow so we will stay put at marina. Hopefully Saturday we can lock through the locks and get to Houma. We will spend the day in New Orleans again and ride the streetcar and who knows what else.

New Orleans

We are tied up at Seabrook Marine in New Orleans. This is a really nice marina and the owner is very hospitable and knowledgeable of the intracoastal waterway. Sounds like fuel is going to be an issue between here and Texas. We did not bring any jerry cans with us so we are going to travel to Houma next and see what the fuel situation is. If we can't get fuel, then we may have to abort the Texas run. Making phone calls to plan ahead so we don't get caught with our pants down.:)

On to New Orleans

Package arrived late at the farm Tuesday so we decided to move on to New Orleans since the weather would be decent tomorrow to cruise the Mississippi sound. Will have it shipped to marina there. Figures the one day I needed something my regular driver was off so they give it to another driver who delivers later in the evening. My driver always delivers to me first usually since she has to drive a mile and a half on a dirt road to the house. :) Anyway, all will work out.

Still in Biloxi

Package should arrive tomorrow with any luck from the Post office. I want hold my breath though.:)
We took the transit bus to West Marine for charts , but had to get off at stop that was a mile away. Walked to West Marine, then found out there was a bus stop right there near them:(  We got on that bus, which was alittle longer and more of a local bus, but we got to see a bit of Biloxi other that the strip. Stopped at Hard Rock casino on our way back and I am happy to say we walked out ahead . I just couldn't pass it up.:)  Took the hopper bus back to boat and was beat. It got pretty windy and rained last night , but boat was in a secure marina. I am GLAD we weren't anchored out somewhere last night. Today is mine and Alan's 31st anniversary. We will celebrate by not getting on each others nerves in such close quarters.:) jk
Will probably go out to one of the restaurants around here tonight. If software gets here by noon tomorrow we will set out for New Orleans then. Never know what  we will do. It's an adventure.

Biloxi

We left Ingram Bayou this morning in patchy fog. Sometimes it was a little hairy, but then the sky would be blue. Of course, crossing Mobile Bay was somewhat treacherous at times. We arrived at Biloxi and docked at Marina until Wednesday. Hoping Garmin disk arrives by Wednesday, if not we will stay another day. Can't beat the rate at 1.00 per foot includes electricity and HOT showers. After third night 50 cents a foot. Need to do some laundry tomorrow and walk around on shore.

Ingram Bayou

Today was a beautiful day for cruising. We left our anchorage and took our time cruising and seeing the shoreline. We stopped for fuel at the Oyster Bar and marina in Perido Key and of course had to try out the restaurant. We would sometimes run into some patchy fog, but nothing to bad. We went into Robert's bayou and Pirates Cove was hopping. This is obviously a very popular place. We looked around and left. We are now anchored in a very nice bayou for the night.

Anchored between Ft Walton and Pensacola

Well it did not start out to well today, but ended in a lovely anchorage spot. Decided to go outside cruising from Panama City to Destin instead of using the intracoastal. It was foggy, rough(at least to me) and I was green and not a happy camper by the time we reached Destin. It WON'T happen again. We finally arrived at the Ft Walton beach city dock and pulled in for a couple of hours. Walked to the Publix , bought a sandwich since we both were starving and had not eaten since this morning. It was good to walk and and get my sea legs back. We pulled out and headed to anchorage another boater told us about. We are tucked in behind an island and across from Eglin Airforce beach property. May have to stay here tomorrow also if this fog doesn't lift.

Launched and headed to Texas

Chris launched us about 9:45am this morning in Panama City Florida.  Chip didn't work in Garmin, but they are sending us an update for our model early next week. We have the one for here to New Orleans so we will be fine with the GPS until then. All in all, so far we are good:)

a monthand half away

Well, we are getting closer to our trip. Only a month and a half away. We are getting the bottom of boat painted next week, then we start organizing trip.

The route planning

We visited Biloxi this past weekend and found out that there are two marinas there. Beau Rivage marina is not opened and won't be anytime soon. I am wondering how much of this we will encounter on our trip due to the hurricanes Katrina and Rita that his the coastline. The guides do not seem to be up to date anymore.