Hi All,
Since I last posted we left Delcambre, got back on the GIWW and headed East again. Here is a picture of the sunset our last night in Delcambre, taken from the deck of Good Morning Vietnam.
Yesterday morning we stopped at L'Blanc Oil Company and topped off our fuel tank and Susan had a chat with the half a dozen guys hanging around the store. They knew who we were and that we had bought eggs from T-Boy's neighbor. Gotta love small towns. We pulled away from the fuel dock at 8:08 and headed back to the GIWW and then East. Here's a picture of what the GIWW looks like in Louisana. Miles and miles of this view. If you think I'm complaining, you're wrong.
Throughout the day we pass multiple tug boats pushing barges along the GIWW. I would say 80% of the barges are carrying Benzene or are empty but normally carry Benzene. We've picked up the barge radio lingo pretty well though one of the captains had to correct my understanding on overtaking another vessel yesterday. All in all, all the barge captains, bridge masters and lock masters are friendly and helpful. It certainly reduces the stress level.
Here's a picture of the cypress swamp we anchored in last night, Wallace Bayou. This was a bit frustrating. One of the books we're using to plan our route is Skipper Bob's Cruising the Gulf Coast. It recommended bypassing Bayou Black for an anchoring spot and going a few more miles to Wallace Bayou. Fortunately I turned into the bayou right behind a barge I met head on. I told the barge captain of my intentions and he told me that bayou was pretty shallow so to watch the depths. Skipper Bob didn't say anything about depth. On the advice of the barge captain I slowed down even more than usual and was glad I did when I ran aground. I was able to get unstuck but now we were running out of time to get anywhere elsse for the the night. We decided to drop anchor right at the mouth of the bayou but still technically in the GIWW. I was far enough to the side to allow for multiple barges to get through if any were running over night. I let the AIS on all night so everyone would know I was there. It wasn't the best night sleep but no problems.
This moring we were up and motoring again by 6:30. Here are a few sights we had along the way. Some guys checking their crab pots. There are crab pots all along the shore of the GIWW.
Some cows soaking their feet before their Saturday pedicure.
Tonight we're tied up at the Lafitte Harbor Marina in Lafitte Louisana. There aren't really any slips here but they let us tie up on the bulkhead just off their fuel dock. About the time we satisfied we were tied up well, a thunderstorm hit. After it was gone the temperature had cooled off and it was a nice evening. We had dinner in the cockpit and then were treated to a magnificient sunset.
Tomorrow we cross through New Orleans. It's a bit daunting with all the locks and traffic but so far we've been able to handle everything that has come our way. Hopefully tomorrow will be no different.
Take care.
Brian
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