Adventure

4/15 – 4/18: Our adventure began with a not so great anchorage at baffle point near the icw and Galveston ferry landing. Buzz had to change raw water impeller on generator so we could have air conditioning. We spent a restless night with lots of rocking due to ship traffic. Evidently, some ships come through the channel and kick up a monstrous wake. It was these occasional giant wakes that would knock us about ever two hours or so.

We leisurely navigated icw to Taylor Bayou Outlet channel anchorage near Port Arthur and slept well. Very nice anchorage. Unfortunately, the weather turned bad with 2 days of +25 mph winds.

4/19-4/21: Off again. First stopped for fuel and pump out at Sabine River Port Authority. Weather still muggy and misty so we stayed the ditch (ICW). Eventually the weather calmed down and we were able to sail part of the way to a new anchorage near Orange TX, Pavell Island. Another beautiful anchorage. The next day we continued east on ICW. Had to make the Ellender Bridge opening by 11 am. (they are very strict and require 4 hour notice to go thru), then on to Calcasieu locks and Black Bayou pontoon bridge. All went well as we headed to the next anchorage, Mermentau River in Louisiana. Thunderstorm hit just as we needed to turn off ICW to anchorage. The rain fell so hard it was very difficult to the see the two on coming barges. Luckily the rain eased just in time for us to make a turn in front of them. Saw lots of birds, river otter, frogs and beautiful green landscapes along the way. At least 2 green frogs made the swim to our boat and camped out. The smell of honeysuckle was strong ever so often on the icw. Stayed at this anchorage another day since thunderstorms predicted again. River waters high due to so much rain. So far we are doing well although weather a constant concern and slowing us down.

4/22-424: Continued on ICW. Hummingbird landed briefly on steering pedestal. Lots of porpoises etc. Stopped at Shell Morgan for fuel. Brent and Larry very nice and helpful. Anchored at Vermillion Bay to get a head start for Atchafalaya. Buzz’s birthday –made him brownies and agreed to do our first offshore trip. It was a slow day offshore with the wind nearly on the nose. The channel up the Atchafalaya river basin was longer than the Houston ship channel or so it seemed as sunset was catching up to us and we were at least 2 hours from our anchorage. After some tense discussion Buzz decided to look for a deep spot outside the channel and anchor for the night. The prospect of making a night time anchorage did not look good. So at marker #39 we saw a deep spot on the charts and made the turn out of the channel. We ran aground in about 3 minutes. The Current coming out of the river must have been at least 2 knots and it pushed on to a reef before I could use the engine to get up back to the channel. We were stuck. Marsha had me call BoatUS for a tow. I inflated the dingy and put it in the water to take an anchor to kedge the boat off. For some unknown reason I decided I could row the boat to do it. The physical effort required to move the dingy pulling a chain and carrying the anchor in the boat must have surpassed any stress test. I finally get the anchor out, get back to the boat and try it out. The anchor just slides across the top of the reef. By this time a tow boat showed up. A small push boat with twin 300hp outboards. He pulled and pulled and I thought the cleats would be pulled out of our boat. One time he was pulling, I place the tow line over the capstan of the anchor windless. Big mistake. After some groaning and crunching Marsha yelled for tow guy to stop because it was bending the capstan and pulling it out of the boat. We convinced the tow operator that the morning would be better and high tide was at 8:30am. So he left and we were alone with our jumble of bad feelings. Around midnight as we were getting ready for bed, Abundance was suddenly thrown on her side. We were thrown about like rag dolls but we luckily hit seat cushions. We stick our heads in the cockpit to see a 100 foot crew boat had come blasting down the channel and its wake launched Abundance to a new and deeper part of the reef. We quickly started the engine and tried to take advantage of this move. We did move a little but we are still stuck. Laying down, trying to get a little sleep, a soft gentle motion came from Abundance. I swear we are floating. Woke up Marsha. Started engine and tried to wiggle our way off the reef. We had some success but not quite enough. The wind had changed direction and was coming from our stern. So in a last ditch effort we unfurled the jib and sailed off the reef and back into the channel. Thank God. We motored back down the channel where we entered and knew the depth and anchored there till late morning.. Not much sleep—rough night. Next, we try an overnight sail to Port Fouchon on 4/24

4/25-4/26. Arrived early to Port Fouchon so made circles for a few hours waiting for dawn. Marina very minimal. No laundry, pump out, internet etc. Cleaned boat, rested. Nice to take shower on land again. On to Southwest passage next day. Just made it to get anchor down at Burwood cut one mile past jetties. Strong outgoing current again.

4/27-4/30: Planned a short hop to South Pass and Eads marina but the pass was poorly marked and treacherous. We slammed against reef, jetty a couple of times and gave up South pass. We were so frustrated and angry. It was easy to convince Marsha to sail directly to Pensacola. Lots of thunderstorms predicted but thought we would be safer. Thunderstorm hit a couple hours into sail but went overhead fast. Hard rain and wind but boat and crew did well. Seas afterwards were very rough and coming for starboard quarter which is worst point for Abundance. Marsha got a little sea sick and scared. Buzz did all the work most of the night. Arrived Pensacola fairway just as more thunderstorms hit. Winds max 30 knots and waves 8-10 feet. Not very pleasant. Lots of prayers were said. Winds and waves let up just as we entered ship channel and blue skies above. Praise God!!!. Got in and quickly found anchorage near Santa Rosa Island just before another storm hit. We had winds of 40 mph and the anchor dragging. I go forward to let out more scope and a second anchor. Meanwhile, the Marsha II (Marsha’s inflatable dingy) that should be lashed to the foredeck was flaying about. I swear it tried to push me overboard as I crept by. Beautiful anchorage with white beaches. Plan to go back later. Currently at BMR marina in Pensacola where we plan to spend a few days resting, doing laundry, going to church and grocery store. Looking forward to a peaceful time here.