Adventure

Vessel Name: Abundance
Vessel Make/Model: Catalina 42 MKII
Hailing Port: Harborwalk
Crew: Marsha
07 June 2016 | Texas
02 June 2016 | Taylor Bayou Outfall
02 June 2016
26 May 2016 | Houma
23 May 2016
23 May 2016
20 May 2016 | Sabine Bay Marina
18 May 2016 | Pensacola
08 May 2016
01 May 2016 | Pensacola
17 April 2016 | Port Arthur, TX
09 April 2016 | Harborwalk Hitchcock Texas
07 April 2016 | Harborwalk Hitchcock Texas
02 March 2016 | Harborwalk Hitchcock Texas
Recent Blog Posts
07 June 2016 | Texas

Home Again, Home Again

Motored into home marina June 3 at about 6pm. Our last day had its own challenges. We left Taylor Bayou and were surrounded with a large downfall of rain which restricted our vision. About 10 minutes into this down pour a large tow behind us wanted to pass us. Well, we agreed to turn our boat around [...]

02 June 2016 | Taylor Bayou Outfall

Almost Home

We are anchored at Taylor Bayou outfall again. We spent 3 days here waiting for bad weather to subside at the start of this adventure. We were at Pavel Island near Orange last night and it was a quiet anchorage and no obvious signs of flooding. Pavel Island is just off the Sabine river. We pulled [...]

02 June 2016

26 May 2016 | Houma

Houma Louisiana

We are along side the bulkhead of the transient berths at Houma. Very nice folks. We came in with an efficient "to do" list. 1. refill 5 gallon containers (3) , 2. Pump out black tanks, 3. refill water tank, 4. check battery water, check engine strainer due to lots of water hyacinth. The Houma area [...]

23 May 2016

Long Beach, MS

On May 22 we made it from Dauphin Island through a big part of Mississippi sound to Cat Island. A weak cold front was due in early in the evening but the forecast was for very light winds. So we anchored on the north side of the island that was in the shape of L laying down. We tried to anchor close [...]

23 May 2016

Long Beach, MS

On May 22 we made it from Dauphin Island through a big part of Mississippi sound to Cat Island. A weak cold front was due in early in the evening but the forecast was for very light winds. So we anchored on the north side of the island that was in the shape of L laying down. We tried to anchor close [...]

Home Again, Home Again

07 June 2016 | Texas
Buzz
Motored into home marina June 3 at about 6pm. Our last day had its own challenges. We left Taylor Bayou and were surrounded with a large downfall of rain which restricted our vision. About 10 minutes into this down pour a large tow behind us wanted to pass us. Well, we agreed to turn our boat around and take a new position behind him. He became our line leader for the next 6 hours. We motored down the ditch to roll over pass and it was there that encounted a intracoastal canal littered with barges and tugs.
There was so much radio traffic of 13 that is was nearly impossible to have a radio conversation. We finally made it to the Houston ship channel and we felt a big sense of relief. When we crossed the Galveston Causeway bridge we felt like we were going downhill. Marsha looked back at the bridge to see a motor boat completely engulfed in flames and smoke. We were too far away to be of any assistance. As we motor up to our turn into Harborwalk, dredge pipe is littered along the ICW and there are danger buoys every 50 feet. So we are left wondering if our channel to Harborwalk is blocked. Tried to call marina, folks we know and no luck. So at slow speed we head down the channel to harborwalk and we make it. That is the end of this sailing blog.

Almost Home

02 June 2016 | Taylor Bayou Outfall
Buzz
We are anchored at Taylor Bayou outfall again. We spent 3 days here waiting for bad weather to subside at the start of this adventure. We were at Pavel Island near Orange last night and it was a quiet anchorage and no obvious signs of flooding. Pavel Island is just off the Sabine river. We pulled up the anchor and headed down the Sabine and Neches river channels. It was surprising how much commercial traffic there was. The current was with us and we seemed to hit 6.5 knots with no problem.

We toyed with the idea of heading on towards Bolivar peninsula but a huge line of thunderstorms was headed out way and red has not been my favorite color. So we opted for Taylor bayou and a fresh start in the morning. If we get the anchors up and underway by 5:30am, it will take us twelve hours to make it to Harborwalk marina. That is a long day but we are very eager to be home. I have been informed that my truck's battery is dead. I have two spare 12volt batteries on the boat. McGwyver to the rescue, or uber. Pray for a safe trip for us.

02 June 2016

Houma Louisiana

26 May 2016 | Houma
Nice
We are along side the bulkhead of the transient berths at Houma. Very nice folks. We came in with an efficient "to do" list. 1. refill 5 gallon containers (3) , 2. Pump out black tanks, 3. refill water tank, 4. check battery water, check engine strainer due to lots of water hyacinth. The Houma area is choked with it. We are surrounded by the stuff about three feet wide on the surface.

Anyway, a guy about our age came by and talked. It was super nice. He and his wife had to adopt his drug addicted son's girls. His son was in prison and a heroin addict.

Another couple came up as he left. They were recently married and we thinking about a boat to cruise the Caribbean. We invited them on boart and they looked around. Now it is 5pm and I am thinking "let's go below for happy hour." There is a play ground for kids near the boat. So lots of parents are here with their kids who are curious. Maybe the third world thing is already here?

Last night we anchored in a wonderful place. We were dis-invited to anchor off an island on the Barataria waterway. A guy in an air boat, shut his engine off and said we were in the "danger zone". He suggested we anchor under some huge power lines over an inlet to Lake Salvadore. It was over 10 feet deep and very quite once the air boat tours ended.

Well at midnight, main cabin a/c was short cycling. By 2:30am identified a questionable ethernet cable connection to the a/c control box (thermostat). Fan started running and Buzz went to bed.

We had a delightful motor/sail down the ICW to Houma. We were surprised by the lack of wildlife but it was pretty and not all industrial.

Marsha broke into the box of chicken and dumplings. A/C units probably did not like the oven at 400 for 30 minutes but what can you do.

Tomorrow, we hope to anchor off the outlet from Wax lake.

On Saturday, we head for a marina and see the Clarks.

God bless.

Long Beach, MS

23 May 2016
On May 22 we made it from Dauphin Island through a big part of Mississippi sound to Cat Island. A weak cold front was due in early in the evening but the forecast was for very light winds. So we anchored on the north side of the island that was in the shape of L laying down. We tried to anchor close to the corner of the L. It was a beautiful anchorage. Lots of wild life including a pod of dolphins to welcome us.

At about 10pm, the wind started from the north. The boat swung on anchor and appeared to keep sliding towards the island. After staring at the GPS and willing the anchor to hold, the anchor bit and we were set for the night. That really means Buzz gets up with any noise or wiggle and checks gps.

In the morning we pulled the anchor on board and took off for the marina. Marsha thought we were going to Pass Christian. I thought we were going to Long Beach. We picked Long Beach because they seemed the friendliest. The folks were very nice. Helped refuel the boat and got us secured on the new transient docks. We were all alone. Cleaned the boat inside and out. Feel like we are ready for the locks at New Orleans. We plan to travel 30 miles tomorrow to rabbit island where we will anchor for the night. Up early the next day and on to New Orleans. We may not have a chance to add a post until we get near New Orleans. Hope it is a long boring story.

Long Beach, MS

23 May 2016
On May 22 we made it from Dauphin Island through a big part of Mississippi sound to Cat Island. A weak cold front was due in early in the evening but the forecast was for very light winds. So we anchored on the north side of the island that was in the shape of L laying down. We tried to anchor close to the corner of the L. It was a beautiful anchorage. Lots of wild life including a pod of dolphins to welcome us.

At about 10pm, the wind started from the north. The boat swung on anchor and appeared to keep sliding towards the island. After staring at the GPS and willing the anchor to hold, the anchor bit and we were set for the night. That really means Buzz gets up with any noise or wiggle and checks gps.

In the morning we pulled the anchor on board and took off for the marina. Marsha thought we were going to Pass Christian. I thought we were going to Long Beach. We picked Long Beach because they seemed the friendliest. The folks were very nice. Helped refuel the boat and got us secured on the new transient docks. We were all alone. Cleaned the boat inside and out. Feel like we are ready for the locks at New Orleans. We plan to travel 30 miles tomorrow to rabbit island where we will anchor for the night. Up early the next day and on to New Orleans. We may not have a chance to add a post until we get near New Orleans. Hope it is a long boring story.

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