Galveston to New Orleans…

As I sit here watching the sun set over Bonne Isle, every direction is a snapshot of Louisiana. Majestic live oak trees draped in grey moss, Acadian style homes with shrimp boats docked at the water’s edge as swamp boat tours noisily return from their days excursion.

Packed with tourist wearing heavily padded yellow earmuffs to protect their ears from the constant noise, wanting an up close and personal look at the swamps and if lucky, alligator sightings.

This guy wanted to join us on our walk…yikes!

Our first time anchoring out since leaving Galveston Bay six days ago and I finally get why other boaters love anchoring out. It makes perfect sense. No lines to arrange at the dock. No fenders to place in the exact spot to protect Odysea II from damage as the tide changes through the night. We simply choose a protected spot and drop anchor. Of course, the Captain would tell you there is much more involved, but the duties of the Crew involves much less stress.

The sky is pink and purple now as I reflect on the last week. Our path for much of The Great American Loop is via the Intracoastal Waterway. 3,000 miles along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coasts. You can read more specifics on the Captain’s Log.

Most of the traffic we pass are tugboats pushing anywhere from one to four barges. We would travel for miles peacefully passing fields of marshlands and ranch land with cattle at the water’s edge raising their heads long enough to glance at the passing marine traffic. A tug moving towards us requires us to make room, or if traveling the same direction at a much slower speed, requiring a pass.

While the Captain is looking out for large tugs, I am scanning the horizon for amazing sights like this eagle and every shade of green bordering each side.

Our night in Sabine Lake was basically for fuel to move along the next day. Surrounding chemical plants offered beautiful lights at night but that’s all I am going to say about that. The next night the mayor of Lake Arthur, Louisiana met us at the Boardwalk docks to welcome us to town. The miraculous cypress trees sprouting from the water ushered us into this small town on its namesake lake.

Intracoastal City became a two night dockage among shrimp boats to wait out a bit of weather, however some lovely boating friends who have a house in Lafayette happened to be in town (serendipity strikes again) and picked us up for an amazing lunch at Shucks! in nearby Abbeville, where the hospitality equals the immense food offerings.

Views from our dock in Intracoastal City was quite entertaining as entire homes gave new meaning to the term ‘homecoming floats’! The canal offers an eclectic display of comfort creatures on their way to the multitude of bayous connected to the waterway.

Morgan City was a pleasant surprise and our timing was right for the annual Porchfest where houses surrounding Lawrence Park host bands on their porches.

The audience simply picks up their blankets or chairs and moves to the next scheduled performance. A great afternoon followed by an amazing sunset on the docks.

Porchfest 2023

Houma was our next stop and the Captain was able to meet up with a colleague from work who guided us to the not to miss Scarlet Scoop Ice Cream Parlor. It is always great to get off the boat and explore on foot.

We left the next morning for our peaceful anchorage here at Bonne Isle where a perfect temperature of 70 degrees, calm seas and promise of a front row seat to a fabulous sunrise is the perfect ending to our first week on this journey. Next stop New Orleans after a, hopefully, successful passing through two unpredictable locks.

Thanks for following along.

~ Odysea II Crew