Days 30-33 - Pensacola to Panama City

We left Pensacola Naval Air Station Monday morning on our way towards Panama City.  We stopped at Fort Walton Beach at the city park free dock which has water and a pump out but no electricity.  We were able to walk to a restaurant and the Publix supermarket and get to bed early as we knew we would have a long day on Wednesday.  It took us almost 9 hours to get to Panama City and even though it was a quiet, uneventful trip, it was LONG.  We were anxious to get here because once again, we were anticipating bad weather.  By the time we got here the winds had really kicked up and we were glad to tie up to the dock  because they got up to about 40 knots!

The Great Loop Cruisers Association has what they call harbor hosts at various marinas and we had no sooner got settled when Carl and Greg (his wife) Vernon knocked on the door.  They were so nice to offer their assistance with whatever we needed.  Carl drove Mike on an errand yesterday and we had them aboard for wine later in the evening.  They invited us to dinner tonight with them and another couple.  I'm really looking forward to it because we're going to have Mexican food and I haven't had that since leaving Texas.

I have made the decision not to cross the gulf with Mike so we have hired a captain to go with him and I believe they will be leaving tomorrow.  I'll rent a car and drive to Tarpon Springs meeting them there.  I just feel more comfortable doing it that way even though many other wives have no problem with it.

Days 23-25 Orange Beach, Alabama

Lab on a kayak!

John and Mike McMahon

Condos in Orange Beach

We' ve  been in Orange Beach Marina since Friday and were able to beat the front that moved through that evening.  They weren't able to begin work on the holding tank until Monday and finished up Tuesday.   Mike's cousin John McMahon who lives in Mobile was able to drive to the marina Monday night and have dinner with us.  We hadn't seen him in quite a few years so it was nice to see him again.

Today is Wednesday and we decided to stay until tomorrow morning.  While Mike was working with the mechanic, I used the courtesy car to run some errands and do laundry.  Orange Beach is definitely a beach community and it reminds me of South Padre Island in Texas.  They do have an amazing bike riding path that runs through a swampy area and today we were able to see a mother alligator and two babies.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the camera with me but it was a pretty amazing sight.  Since we had such a difficult time getting into this marina, we took the dinghy and went out on a trial run so we don't make mistakes leaving and running aground again. I had to take a photo of the lab on the kayak.  It was too funny.  The weather has been so beautiful but today we feel the first sign of coming heat and humidity.  Tomorrow we head to Pensacola.

Days 20, 21 & 22 - Dauphine Island to Orange Beach

We spent a rather restless night anchored off Dauphine Island and got up very early to head for Orange Beach ahead of another front coming in.  Once we crossed Mobile Bay everything settled down and we enjoyed the scenery along each side of the intercoastal canal.  We passed Lulu's Restaurant which is owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister.  Getting into Orange Beach Marina was one of the most difficult things we have encountered yet!  It was very confusing and we hit the bottom twice but were able to get off.  We called the marina and nobody could guide us in.  Finally, we were able to talk to the dockmaster and he was able to help us and after arriving everything was great.  The people here are very accommodating and go out of their way to assist you in any way they can.  They even have a courtesy car which we used yesterday to go grocery shopping and church this morning.  Today is Mike's birthday and we went to Tacky Jack's for lunch and rode bikes for a couple of hours.  This is really a beautiful area with white sandy beaches.  We're having some work done on the boat tomorrow and will probably be heading for Pensacola Tuesday or Wednesday.

Days 19 and 20 - Rabbit Island to Ocean Springs and Dauphin Island

We left Rabbit Island and arrived at Ocean Springs, Mississippi about 4:00 PM.  It's not much of a marina as it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina but we rode our bikes to the main street of the old town and it is very charming and quaint.  We ran into two people who saw us docking and one was a tugboat captain who gave us a little inforomation about the town.  It was established in the late 1600's and has numerous fresh water springs - thus the name Ocean Springs.  This morning we took a long walk along the beach and through the neighborhood and you could still see damaged homes and evidence of where homes used to be before the hurricane.  We even saw one destroyed house with the letters FEMA and numbers sprayed on in black paint.  This morning before we left an elderly gentleman stopped by to talk with us.  It seems he was a boater for many years and was very familiar with our plans.  He gave us some advice and visited with us for about an hour.

We traveled all day through Mississippi Sound and are currently anchored off Dauphine Island.  It was quite a rough crossing and we are still rocking and rolling.  As thunderstorms are predicted for tomorrow afternoon, we plan to leave very early in the morning head for Orange Beach where we're scheduled to have some work done on the boat.

OOOPS - error by Capt Mike who inadvertently erased Kathy's pictures.

Days 18 and 19 - Seabrook Marine to Rabbit Island

Beauiful balcony in French Quarter

Jackson Square

On waterfront after long day

We ended up staying an additional night at Seabrook Marine due to a front blowing through with strong winds.  We left lateTuesday morning and headed to Rabbit Island which was a relatively short day, arriving about 4:00 in the afternoon.  This anchorage was well protected and actually very pretty but there was a train track right next to us and the trains rolled through all night making sleeping conditions very undesirable.  We woke up this morning and are headed towards Biloxi, Mississippi and Ocean Springs Marina.

Days 14 - 16 Relaxing in New Orleans

We finally arrived at Seabrook Marine on the Industrial Canal in New Orleans and were happy to leave the locks and bridges behind!  We had our new refrigerator waiting here for us and the first morning it was installed.  How great to empty out the cooler and live like normal people again!  After spending $35 to have a cab take us to a restaurant and then pick us up again, we decided to rent a car which was great because we ran a lot of errands and then went to St. Louis Cathedral to church and enjoyed the rest of the day in and around the French Quarter.  After breakfast we went to the WWII Museum for a couple of hours which was very interesting. 

The music festival was in full swing by then  and the place was packed!  We enjoyed listening to all the different groups playing, did some shopping, ate breakfast and then an early dinner and just relaxed.  Tomorrow morning it's off to Rabbit Island. 

Days 13 and 14 - Lake Salvador to Seabrook Marine - New Orleans

We woke up early in anticipation of what was ahead - THE HARVEY LOCK and THE INDUSTRIAL LOCK.  I was on pins and needles as I have never been through a lock and although I have read quite a bit about it, it's different doing it yourself.   We were both very quiet on the way and then we entered the Harvey Canal.  I've never seen so much industry in my life.  The barge traffic and all the work going on as you enter the Canal is unbelievable!  We finally got to the entrance of the lock and had to wait a considerable amount of time.  A tug called Mr. Cass called us and said we could tie up to him while we waited.  I've attached a photo of the huge ship exiting the lock.  They were very helpful and explained everything to expect and as a result we followed Mr. Cass through the Harvey Lock and all the way to the Industrial Canal when we were once again on our own.  Once we entered the Mississippi River we had to avoid hugh logs and debris floating all around us but it was also exciting to see the City of New Orleans.  We hit almost 10 1/2 knots going down the river.  After entering the Industrial Lock, it was more stress going through lift bridges and railroad bridges.  Needless to say, we were thrilled when we arrived at the marina.

Huge ship exiting Harvey Lock

Scenery along waterway

Man on jet ski in intercoastal

Mr. Cass

Harvey Lock - Too cute!

St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square

Bye-bye old fridge

Mike actually cleaning

Today we had a new refrigerator installed and were able to go grocery shopping again!  We arrived here at a good time as there is a big music festival going on in the French Quarter all week-end so of course we have to go.  Our next stop is Rabbit Island and we should be heading out Monday morning.

Day 12 - Houma to Lake Salvador

We arrived at Houma yesterday at approximately 4:30 in the afternoon.  What a beautiful little marina!  We were the only ones there and after securing everything, we gathered up the laundry and walked to the nearest laundromat which was about 1/2 mile.  We found a restaurant down main street called Cafe Milano and enjoyed a great pizza and salad.

The only disadvantage about the marina is that it's quite close to the intercoastal and every time a barge goes by, it creates quite a wake and really rocks the boat!  We left about 9:30 AM and had a relatively short day as we are anchored just off the intercoastal in Lake Salvador.  We're preparing to go through the Harvey Lock tomorrow morning and are headed for Seabrook Marina in New Orleans where we hope to spend 2-3 days.  We've ordered a new refrigerator and it's supposed to be delivered there and they'll help us get it installed.  I have to say that I've been very concerned about the upcoming locks so I'm trying to stay calm until we get through it.  More to come tomorrow.

Morgan City to Houma, LA

We left Morgan City after staying over an extra day due to the front that came through Monday with rain and high winds. Our stayover was spent at Shannon Hardware Store buying some needed items, cleaning and then spending a wonderful evening with initially total strangers who quickly became friends. Lisa and Charile Parsiola invited us into their home in Berwick, LA after seeing us tied up at the Morgan City Docks. Some years ago, Lisa's father had made it a habit of inviting visiting sailors and boaters going through Morgan City to his house for dinner and Lisa and her husband Charlie have carried on the tradition. What wonderful people and we had dinner with the Parsiola's two out of four daughters, Lisa's mother Judy and her grandmother Belle - 4 generations at the table. To the Parsiola family, thank you again for a fantastic evening - we will remember your hospitality forever and hope our paths cross again.

                                                                    

Morgan City

So much for the weather being in our favor. A front is coming in this afternoon and the winds have been howling. We hope to leave in the morning. We had planned to finally get to Rita Mae's for dinner when the most interesting thing just happened. A lady just stopped by and invited us for dinner at her home. Her mother and 92 year old grandmother, who used to be a chef on TV for many years, will also be there along with her husband, a local physician. We are meeting the friendliest people on this trip.

And a comment about the Louisiana people we have observed so far ... while at Avery Island, watching ordinary people of ordinary means enjoy life so much and then a total stranger inviting us to her home showed us another part of America where southern hospitality is truly seen every day.

Avery Island to Morgan City

Avery Island was so interesting. It was off the beaten path and a little hard to find, but worth it. The island is owned by the McIlheney family and everyone who works at the Tabasco factory lives on the island - very inexpensively I might add as the family rents them a house at quite a reduced rate. Most of the folks working there came from parents who worked there and they're all quite cagan.

We arrived at Morgan City around 4:00 and found the last place to tie up at the dock which was a scary experience. Then after securing the boat, we rushed to eat at Rita Mae's Restaurant which is written up in Skipper Bob. Mike had eaten there 3 1/2 years ago when he brought the boat back from Florida. Anyway, since it's Sunday they were closed. So we ended up at Shoney's. Tomorrow it's off to Houma and I hope they have better facilities as I have laundry stacking up! The weather continues to be in our favor.

Bow Tie Marina to Avery Island

We stayed at Bow Tie Marina which is small but very nice and took a cab to L'Auberge Casino for dinner. Quite a place! Didn't do much gambling as I don't think it's as much fun as the old fashioned slot machines used to be. However, the dinner was great. We left late and went as far as the Mermentau River where we stayed in another gorgeous, secluded anchorage, leaving early and arrived at Avery Island about 4:00 hoping to see the Tabasco Factory before they closed. Too late so we decided to stay another day, rest up and tour the factory. Mike is such a Tabasco fan that I'm glad we did stay as it's very interesting. We plan to leave early and head for Morgan City. We're trying to figure out how to get our photos posted but having a little difficulty. Hopefully, we'll figure it out ASAP.