Kemah, Florida and beyond

dimer2 · Nov 7, 2015

Well, we left Kemah, did final prep in Beaumont and are now in Lake Arthur Louisiana, we we had planned on over nighting. We are having so much fun that we have stayed almost a week. This is definitely a recommended stop. For those that don't want to come all the way up the river, there is an island with deep water all around it, less than a mile from the ICW on the Mermentau river, well protected and good holding. We will stay there on the way out. Next is Vermillion Bay where we will be graciously hosted by Doug of TF fame. Below are pictures of the Municipal marina ($25.00), the river and lake.

Steve · Nov 7, 2015

If you stop in Houma give me a call I'll try to get over.
Yes that island in the Mermentau River is a nice spot, we stopped there years ago.

dimer2 · Nov 8, 2015

I most certainly will Steve!

ulysses · Nov 8, 2015

Dimer2: Enjoy your trip. Steve and his beautiful wife are very hospitable, you will enjoy your visit in Houma. As you pass through you may want to run up to Avery Island and see the Tobasco Plant. You should also never post about a trip through La. WITHOUT mentioning the food.
safe travels

READY2GO · Nov 8, 2015

Dimer2
I am sure we will pass each other somewhere along the way, hopefully at a nice quiet anchorage. Have a good trip.

ddalme · Nov 11, 2015

Posting for Dimer2-no wifi available, but I'm sure he'll post sometime soon. Blue, Michelle, Ray and Whitney arrived in Vermilion Bay around 1pm Monday. Blue and Michelle in their very nice 4788 Bayliner (which I love the way its laid out) and Ray and Whitney in Blues old boat the Rino(a very SALTY 46' Jarvis Newman) which will be mine if I could get Ray to part with it). I ran out in my fishing boat and escorted them into the Bayview Marine and showed them where to dock. They couldn't dock behind the camp because of their 4 1/2' draft. The shore power was not on but they had water. Weather was nice and no A/C was needed. Spent Monday surveying the harbor, checking out their trawlers, catching up on each other and just relaxing on the porch at my camp. David, my brother-in-law & deck hand on Relenti, cooked up a couple of boneless stuffed chickens and trimings for dinner and we all almost passed out from over eating

Might have been the adult beverages. :whistling:

I talked them into staying another night. They could take a nice shower and wash clothes, etc. before continuing on. Had to laugh as Blue said they've been gone two weeks and are averaging about 12 miles a day.

They might get to the Bahamas in January of '17 or '18 :facepalm:

Who cares-they're living the dream. I'm jealous. Anyway, they left heading west on the GICW at 7am today. Thought they might stop in Morgan City or Bayou Chene for the night and then on to Houma to visit another TFer , Steve. They have no schedule as both of them are living aboard. Can't wait to see how they progress. Just want to still be alive to see them again. Wonderful and interesting friends

rardoin · Nov 11, 2015

Thanks for the update DD. I was planning to meet them at Lake Arthur and treat them to a dinner at the Regatta on a return trip from Brenham/Houston Sunday, however, a Tractor Trailer had other plans. In the game of Interstate 10 Booray...18 wheeler trumps pick-up truck every time :hide:

! Neither I or Anita were injured but it did screw up our plans a wee bit. I am grateful we needed to take my truck on this particular trip as we would have been in a 'low freeboard' convertible otherwise :angel:

.

ragin cajun · Nov 11, 2015

rardoin said:
Thanks for the update DD. I was planning to meet them at Lake Arthur and treat them to a dinner at the Regatta on a return trip from Brenham/Houston Sunday, however, a Tractor Trailer had other plans. In the game of Interstate 10 Booray...18 wheeler trumps pick-up truck every time! Neither I or Anita were injured but it did screw up our plans a wee bit. I am grateful we needed to take my truck on this particular trip as we would have been in a 'low freeboard' convertible otherwise.

Dang it! Glad you guys are okay! Hope that Saturday winds didn't mess with anyone in the marina. Must have blown all the water out of the point!

No Mast · Nov 11, 2015

yikes! Glad you guys were ok!

BandB · Nov 11, 2015

rardoin said:
Thanks for the update DD. I was planning to meet them at Lake Arthur and treat them to a dinner at the Regatta on a return trip from Brenham/Houston Sunday, however, a Tractor Trailer had other plans. In the game of Interstate 10 Booray...18 wheeler trumps pick-up truck every time! Neither I or Anita were injured but it did screw up our plans a wee bit. I am grateful we needed to take my truck on this particular trip as we would have been in a 'low freeboard' convertible otherwise.

I know at first glance people look at it as bad luck, but when I see that truck and here you are both ok, I really look at it as your lucky day.

A young girl we knew had a wreck near us years ago that totaled her mustang. It was an area we'd seen many wrecks and she called us so we beat her parents there. I recall the policeman telling her how happy he was to see her and her passenger ok as most of the time he'd been called to that location there had been a death.

rardoin · Nov 11, 2015

Thanks. Just metal/rubber and plastic...all replaceable. Not like it was a boat ya know

. Wish Blue and the crew safe passage!

ragin cajun · Nov 11, 2015

ddalme said:
. David, my brother-in-law & deck hand on Relenti, cooked up a couple of boneless stuffed chickens and trimings for dinner and we all almost passed out from over eating Might have been the adult beverages.

Hebert's stuff chickens?

ddalme · Nov 11, 2015

ragin cajun said:
Hebert's stuff chickens?

You got it. One with shrimp and one with boudin! Never could see how you raise a boneless chicken

Rardoin, glad your OK

rardoin · Nov 11, 2015

ddalme said:
Never could see how you raise a boneless chicken

That's easy...you see their bet and raise 'em $20. Just like poker with humans

Av8 · Nov 11, 2015

ddalme · Nov 11, 2015

dimer2 · Nov 12, 2015

Wow rardoin! I sure am glad to hear you are all OK! Sorry we didn't get to meet your wife this time but will hook up again somewhere, sometime! We did manage to eat at the Regatta a few times and it was awesome. The folk there were all super friendly, even driving us to Walmart (15 miles each way) if we promised to stay another day. Had a spare overnighted to the city hall, who then carried it to the boat. Now that's hospitality!

Then it got even better.....we went to ddalme's "fish camp". This is a whole house on stilts, with no sign of any fishing rods or associated gear. I went with his brother in-law to buy fresh shrimp straight off the boats (about a 100 foot walk) and noticed that they sell fish also. His fishing stories are all now all highly suspect. However, his hospitality was second to none. We were fed at least 8 times a day and the beer (required for palate cleansing) flowed as freely as the tall stories we all told. A great time and a big thanks to you and yours Doug! Below, is a pic of the lighthouse we were instructed to 'aim at' for approach to the marina entrance. Notice it is way shorter than the electric pole. When I called Doug to explain that I could not see the 4 foot lighthouse but could see a 2000 foot cell tower, was instructed to aim at that instead as it was also by the entrance! Sorry mate, I found the logic in that funny! Once safely escorted in and to our slip, we toured the marina in Doug's awesome bay boat (see pic and notice I did not call it a 'fishing' boat!) and saw how Louisiana's rich and famous live. The 'camps' are amazing!

We managed to leave there, with freshly laundered clothes, on Wednesday. we went 13 miles across the Vermillion bay and joined the ICW, eastbound and about 5 miles later, under a bridge, there was Doug again! I goosed it, thinking he was trying to collect slip fees but all he wanted was a few last photos and another wave goodbye. What a guy!!! Ready2go went by, just before the bridge, heading west in his rather spiffy looking boat. Safe travels!

Wednesday night we stayed behind a little island, around 5 miles west of the Morgan City locks (see pic) and woke up to the rain. So this coupled with the winds of late, made for a damp and dreary trip into Houma and the Municipal docks. Steve of course, being Steve, has already made one visit to take us shopping! He is truly the Ambassador of Houma! Thanks again Steve!

The weather, the location and the fact that my sliding pilot house door has just decided to quit sliding, has me thinking we need to stay one more day as a 'maintenance day'. This should put me on the other side of the Mississippi over the weekend, which means no scheduled bridge closing for traffic and school buses and should make locking through a little easier.

I see my pics are sideways but am to tired to fix them. Duval just dropped by and visited. Thanks for stopping by!!

Sailor of Fortune · Nov 12, 2015

dimer2 said:
Wow rardoin! I sure am glad to hear you are all OK! Sorry we didn't get to meet your wife this time but will hook up again somewhere, sometime! We did manage to eat at the Regatta a few times and it was awesome. The folk there were all super friendly, even driving us to Walmart (15 miles each way) if we promised to stay another day. Had a spare overnighted to the city hall, who then carried it to the boat. Now that's hospitality!

Then it got even better.....we went to ddalme's "fish camp". This is a whole house on stilts, with no sign of any fishing rods or associated gear. I went with his brother in-law to buy fresh shrimp straight off the boats (about a 100 foot walk) and noticed that they sell fish also. His fishing stories are all now all highly suspect. However, his hospitality was second to none. We were fed at least 8 times a day and the beer (required for palate cleansing) flowed as freely as the tall stories we all told. A great time and a big thanks to you and yours Doug! Below, is a pic of the lighthouse we were instructed to 'aim at' for approach to the marina entrance. Notice it is way shorter than the electric pole. When I called Doug to explain that I could not see the 4 foot lighthouse but could see a 2000 foot cell tower, was instructed to aim at that instead as it was also by the entrance! Sorry mate, I found the logic in that funny! Once safely escorted in and to our slip, we toured the marina in Doug's awesome bay boat (see pic and notice I did not call it a 'fishing' boat!) and saw how Louisiana's rich and famous live. The 'camps' are amazing!

We managed to leave there, with freshly laundered clothes, on Wednesday. we went 13 miles across the Vermillion bay and joined the ICW, eastbound and about 5 miles later, under a bridge, there was Doug again! I goosed it, thinking he was trying to collect slip fees but all he wanted was a few last photos and another wave goodbye. What a guy!!! Codger II went by, just before the bridge, heading west in his rather spiffy looking boat. Safe travels Codger!

Wednesday night we stayed behind a little island, around 5 miles west of the Morgan City locks (see pic) and woke up to the rain. So this coupled with the winds of late, made for a damp and dreary trip into Houma and the Municipal docks. Steve of course, being Steve, has already made one visit to take us shopping! He is truly the Ambassador of Houma! Thanks again Steve!

The weather, the location and the fact that my sliding pilot house door has just decided to quit sliding, has me thinking we need to stay one more day as a 'maintenance day'. This should put me on the other side of the Mississippi over the weekend, which means no scheduled bridge closing for traffic and school buses and should make locking through a little easier.

I see my pics are sideways but am to tired to fix them. Duval just dropped by and visited. Thanks for stopping by!!

Thats what cruising is all about. I think you got a better than expected experience!

dimer2 · Nov 12, 2015

From sideways pics to no pics....oh well, lets try just 2 pics...

The 'tour' boat, used for meeting tourists and guiding them to their slips and the lighthouse, affectionately known as 'Stubby' by the locals

ddalme · Nov 12, 2015

Thanks for the kind words-I really enjoyed the visit. My Son told my wife that ya'll were regular folks-he really enjoyed the visit, also. I'm really glad I got to see the new 4788 again and the Jarvis Newman-Now that is what I call a "salty" boat. I know you must have had a hard time leaving it. Hope your adventure keeps you safe and happy. "Living the dream"

dimer2 · Nov 13, 2015

Well our hopes of making the dash across to Gulfport may well be dashed. 20 to 28 knot NE winds with 5 building to 10 ft, are probably a little much for this old man. Will probably stay right in Houma until Monday, cross the Mississippi on Tuesday and leave Wednesday or Thursday. I have been stuck in way worse places before

Av8 · Nov 13, 2015

dimer2 said:
Well our hopes of making the dash across to Gulfport may well be dashed. 20 to 28 knot NE winds with 5 building to 10 ft, are probably a little much for this old man. Will probably stay right in Houma until Monday, cross the Mississippi on Tuesday and leave Wednesday or Thursday. I have been stuck in way worse places before

Some of us are still stuck there!

dimer2 · Nov 13, 2015

Av8 said:
Some of us are still stuck there!

Haha, you figured it out!! Miss you guys but the place....not so much

cardude01 · Nov 13, 2015

dimer2 said:
Well our hopes of making the dash across to Gulfport may well be dashed. 20 to 28 knot NE winds with 5 building to 10 ft, are probably a little much for this old man. Will probably stay right in Houma until Monday, cross the Mississippi on Tuesday and leave Wednesday or Thursday. I have been stuck in way worse places before

Blue,

Nice trip you're having. I'm jealous sitting here in Texas screwing up boat projects.

Are you going through the locks again? I swore to myself I wouldn't do that again-- I think that stretch was the most stress I had the entire trip. I did hit the Mississippi at flood stage so that made it worse I think.

Your post got me looking at outside route possibilities. From Houma to Gulfport looks like about 215nm total.

ImageUploadedByTrawler Forum1447429393.946023.jpg

If I split that up into three days during the summer that might work. Wonder if I could anchor inside Cat Island Pass to get started?

ImageUploadedByTrawler Forum1447429613.495846.jpg

Then from Cat Island Pass to this area and anchor. Looks like there is a good spot from active captain in the South Pass.

ImageUploadedByTrawler Forum1447429802.979397.jpg

ImageUploadedByTrawler Forum1447430065.992381.jpg

Then make it to Gulfport (or Pascagoula probably) the next day?

Does that sound reasonable on a slow boat in the Summer?

dimer2 · Nov 13, 2015

Hey CD. Yes we were planning on leaving Doug's 'Pleasure Island' (Cypremont Point) in Vermillion Bay and running outside. Mother nature however, had plans of her own. So here we sit in Houma, the only decision being which side of the Mississippi to sit. Your plan is good but will add a day. In summer, (weather permitting), I would travel outside all the way. Many things have changed the last few years which are not on the charts. Your can travel all along the inside now behind Grand Isle as it has been dredged and marked (compliments of the oil operators), is just one example. We had a 65-70 mile per day course planned from Vermillion on, anchoring in protected waters at night, all the way to Venice. From there to Ship Island being the longest leg. I will let Forklift and others comment on Cat Island etc as I have not done this yet. Not sure why you want to go around the Mississippi (unless I am reading it wrong). Tiger Pass/Baptiste Collette would be my choice.

cardude01 · Nov 13, 2015

I was not aware of the Tiger Pass--Baptiste Collette shortcut. I like that better!

Also wasn't aware of being able to run inside Grand Isle.

ragin cajun · Nov 13, 2015

dimer2 said:
Well our hopes of making the dash across to Gulfport may well be dashed. 20 to 28 knot NE winds with 5 building to 10 ft, are probably a little much for this old man. Will probably stay right in Houma until Monday, cross the Mississippi on Tuesday and leave Wednesday or Thursday. I have been stuck in way worse places before

Looking at wind forecast for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday into Thursday fro the Miss. Sound you gonna have winds from 15-25 kts building to 30-35kts on Wednesday. Winds subside Thursday afternoon into Friday. Bunch of rain/thunderstorms from Tuesday to Wednesday. Cross river Sunday/Monday and hold up in Southshore or Seabrook until Thursday. Go enjoy N.O. for a coupla days!

dimer2 · Nov 13, 2015

Thanks RC...called Seabrook and they are already full. Nobody leaving lol. Soooo Houma it is.

BobH · Nov 15, 2015

Dimer2, no AIS? We like to lurk and see how other people do it. We also planned on a 11/1 departure but family issues killed that. Now looking at late Feb or early March. Last time we came back to Houston we went outside at Mobile Bay and headed straight to Galveston Bay. We tend to stay in Faiways so nighttime travel is no problem. Of course that was with a sailboat. Don't think we have the fuel to do that with our current boat, but having done the ICW twice already we would like to avoid it if possible. Going out at Houma looks a good way to go.

dimer2 · Nov 17, 2015

Still sitting in Houma, waiting for this wind to die down. The little municipal marina maybe has room for one more boat!

You have to take your hat off to these guys. They bring these things through the bridge with maybe 8 - 10 foot to spare. You can see some damage from those still learning but most put a guy on the front just in case he needs to push them off

Probably be sitting here until lunchtime Wednesday at least :nonono:

. I am ready for clear (and warm) waters.....

Kemah, Florida and beyond

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