Kemah, Florida and beyond

Oh man. That sounds like my Nola trip. Waited at the Harvey lock for 3 hours. River was at flood stage. I was stressing!

It is just part of boating, not one I enjoy but there was barges that had been waiting 12 hours, so I shouldn't complain. What was confusing is when I did lock through, I went alone. even though there were plenty single barges, with just scrap iron on them, that could have easily locked through with me. That is one big ass lock!

dimer2 said:

Anyway, plan on waiting out this crappy weather forecast over at Suzies Bar and Grill lol.

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We are waiting to go the other way, Kemah, Lake Charles and beyond, as long as we have wine and clean undies. Houma will be the turn around if we get that far. Sure miss three thing about the sailboat, the sails, the watermaker and the washing machine.

Went into Houma in '01, I think they had power but the dockage was free. There was an elderly couple living right there and they came down to look at the boat and while we were talking there suddenly was another person on board. That's when I remembered that someone had told us the guy was a ventriloquist. They offered to take us places in their pickup and she would bring down freshly baked cinnamon buns in the mornings.

Stopped there again in '04. At that time they were charging a fee. The older couple was still around but he was laid up with a broken leg or hip. She still came down to welcome us but was moving a little slower.

Hoping to be leaving later in the week, maybe we'll pass each other,

Bob

There is a nice old guy, Ray, who comes by on his bicycle to unlock your electric and charges you $25 a day, regardless of size. There is a wash and fold laundry within easy walking distance at $1.00/lb. Life is slow here in Houma....love it.

Steve (Gumbo) will be coming by tomorrow, you have to be sure to contact him here. He is like the official Houma welcoming committee and a great guy!

Looks like we will leave Thursday.....maybe

Only in Louisiana can you lock through with a gator!




Makes it look like we have been docked in Houma for months LOL.

Thursday looks really ugly here so we may wait till Friday to leave.

Batten down the hatches....here comes the rain. It just stopped raining here in the Houston area and it looks like it is just about to start there.

BobH said:

Thursday looks really ugly here so we may wait till Friday to leave.

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We are likely leaving Sunday and gonna run hard the first day if the weather allows us. Might try to make Lake Charles in one day. If not we either anchor at Taylor outfall or that little anchorage just the other side of Port Arthur....Rabbit Island or something like that. Gonna try to be back at PA for Spring Fling on Thursday. Maybe be in Lake Arthur Monday and Tuesday night??? And then do a Casino Wednesday night in LCH? That is just me thinking out loud....and not having enough time to do what I want!!! Still trying to get a handle on this damn hot engine. Got me a Murphy Gauge and might go take a ride this afternoon.

Lake Charles in one day is really pushing it. We did it years ago with our sailboat. Left the Baffle Point anchorage at 3:00 PM and arrived in Lake Charles 4:00 PM the next day. Of course that was going outside. Not yet comfortable enough with the current boat to try that. Maybe on the way back.

Bob, we very may meet then. We are looking at leaving here Thursday, if the weather holds, anchor out in Morgan city, Shell Morgan Fresh water Bayou) Friday night, arriving Lake Arthur Saturday.

Will leave L. Arthur Tuesday, anchor out in Lake Charles, Wednesday and down to Pleasure Island Thursday.

Right now it looks like Saturday, Sunday and Monday night in LC and then on to LA. We should pass each other somewhere along the way. But as one of our friends mentioned, our plans are more Jello than concrete.

dimer2 said:

Bob, we very may meet then. We are looking at leaving here Thursday, if the weather holds, anchor out in Morgan city, Shell Morgan Fresh water Bayou) Friday night, arriving Lake Arthur Saturday.

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Where is Fresh Water Bayou? I'm thinking of going into Weeks Bay after Shell Morgan.

How are the docks in Morgan City? When we stopped there in '05 they were in really bad shape.

Bob, we can normally make Houma from Shell Morgan (90 miles or so) in one day. When travelling with others, we anchor a few miles after the Bayou Boeuf locks, where Bayou Chene leaves the ICW. There is an island (check your chart) that you can get behind in deep water and not be bothered by barge wakes, even though they go by all night. The flow of the river keeps you pointed into the island.

Fresh water Bayou is where Shell Morgan is located. The Morgan city docks are even worse now and taken over by shrimpers (when we went by in November).

dimer2 said:

Fresh water Bayou is where Shell Morgan is located. The Morgan city docks are even worse now and taken over by shrimpers (when we went by in November).

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Just a heads up in Morgan City. The river is still running very high there. The docks are still mostly submerged with most in a state of disrepair. I would use extreme caution going into those docks if at all. Houma would be far better.

From what I saw from the Hwy. bridge a few days ago the Morgan City docks are under construction & (torn up) it looks like the work is stopped due to high water. Across the river on the Berwick side it looks like the docks are ok I have not stopped there but you can check the Active Captain site for more information and reviews. Houma is fine I'll PM you my contact information if you stop there give me a call if I can I'll drop by.

Passed the Morgan City docks yesterday. No boats at all and docks had red cones on them. I am assuming they are being worked on? There were several pleasure craft at the Berwick dock but still plenty of room.

Thanks Steve for the lunch and tour while in Houma!

Thanks Doug for coming down to Shell Morgan and taking us to dinner!

It's great having good friends! (All members here to boot!)

Dimer2
Glad to have met up and catch up with you and Michelle at intercoastal. See you at the Spring Fling. You might get some rain own your way to Port Arthur/helps with washing the boat.lol

Supposed to get over 2" in Houston later today. Will head out tomorrow, fuel up and spend the night at Offatts.

BobH said:

Supposed to get over 2" in Houston later today. Will head out tomorrow, fuel up and spend the night at Offatts.

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We are definitely gonna cross paths. We will be leaving Sunday. Not really sure where we will end up. It ally is all about what lil mama wants to do. And she's pretty easy to please. We will see most of you at the spring fling at the very least!!! My boat is hosting a stop for the poker run dock crawl. My strawberry margaritas will be the drink served. They are also known as "roofyritas"....you have been warned!!!

We pulled in to Lake Arthur after an easy run from Shell Morgan (where we spent a rolly night at the fuel dock.) Looks like we made it just in time, skies are dark and sat TV just lost signal, so looks like we are fixing to get dumped on!

Hooked up power, went and got the 11 scoop special of Blue Bell Ice cream....and no TV. That just ain't right!

How long are y'all going to stay in Lake Arthur? And yes, it is raining like crazy in the Houston area.

John, we will leave here Wednesday, anchor out in Lake Charles and then on to Trawler Fest Thursday. Bring your bikini, the water is perfect here!

Well then...we may just see you Monday!!! Dunno abut swimming. Sharks don't scare me. Big toothy lizards do!!!

They actually have a beach that has wire mesh all the way around it, just for those toothy lizards lol. Yup, they can't get out now

I'm glad you folks are secure, looks like some bad weather out that way. Crazy weather, usually May is a "good weather" month here.

dimer2 said:

They actually have a beach that has wire mesh all the way around it, just for those toothy lizards lol. Yup, they can't get out now

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Well we will try and make it all the way Sunday but not likely. So probably Monday. Depends on the weather. And then at least do one night at the Casino...not a gambler but just want to check it out. And then head for Spring Fling on Thursday. Save us a spot in Lake Arthur!!!!

John, we may have to make room for you, le me know if I need to back er up.....




After the storm last nigh, the pre dawn was as still as can be.




Sunrise, I believe I will go looking for a realtor this morning. Got to love this place

For those considering visiting Lake Arthur next week, a few pointers.

The waters are high and over their normal banks, making the actual river a little confusing to follow in places. In general, it is well marked but do not go from maker to marker as they are normally on the points so arc your course to follow the river. You should not see less than about 10 ft all the way in, until you make the turn for the docks and then it is about 8 ft.

There are a lot of pipeline crossings, with the normal signage warning you not to anchor or dredge. These are normally on the river banks but are now in the water. Use them to center yourself in the river.

As you come into the first of the two lakes....there are two red range makers. These are normally on land, do not try and round them but keep them to port and use the first red tringle for your turn.

After crossing the lake you will come to the "narrows", it is shown on your chart. Do not short cut across this section but curve around keeping the bank to starboard by about 100 yards. There is s sunken shrimper there that used to be marked by bouys but they are gone. I am not sure if they removed the wreck or not.

Turn to the LA dock at R30 and you are there! Normally the parks guy will see you coming and come to meet you. If not, there are gates in the dock rail every 50 feet or so that are locked and hard to see unless looking for them. Line up you side door so you are aligned with one of these. He will unlock it for you when he wanders down.

There is no tide this far up the river so you can make fast.

Any other questions or concerns, PM me a number and I will give you a call.

Great location-Talked to the locals and they said they have never had a problem with storm surge from hurricanes. Apparently for enough inland to absorb the storm surges.

Dimer, I was really concerned for you last night with those severe thunderstorms running over you. Reported gusts of 60-80mph in the coastal zone you were in. Looks like you had no issues! Man, that was one fireworks show last night...you needed sunglasses! Glad you're ok!