ICW TEXAS COAST SHREVEPORT, LA TO BROWNSVILLE, TX

[El and Bill]

For those of you who would like a few 'armchair' glimspes of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, you might want to click on:

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/

Scroll down to our Chapter 6, The Gulf Coast, and you can read a few tales and see some pictures of Intracoastal tales. We have made the trip, down and back, and it is a great adventure. Good luck, Bill and Brenda -- we'll be following your posts.

[Bill and Brenda Russell]

DATE: Holding

Bill and Ell ----"Halcyon"
Thanks, this is very good information for new comers to this boating experience and I have printed the Texas, Louisiana sections to take with us on our ICW Texas adventure. I admire your ability to depict your adventures using the language of an old salt.

I read your "Cruising America - Halcyon Days" before I purchased "Falcon" and it was one of the guiding factors for choosing a C-Dory, if you have one then it must surly be a wise choice. A wise choice it has been with no problems.


Bill and Brenda Russell 870-904-0708 Brenda's Cell

[El and Bill]

Bill and Brenda -
Thanks for the kind words -- sure glad it has been the right choice for you two -- have a great trip -- we'd love to be 'in tandem' with you folks.

[akjack]

Bill and Brenda,

It was great meeting you in Seattle for the boat show. I am glued to this site looking forward to your adventures. Fair winds and low waves to a wonderful couple.

AKjack

[Capt. Jim]

Bill and Brenda,
Port of Iberia has a backdown ramp with public parking but I would not leave my vehicle there. Perhaps I could find secure parking and shuttle you to your boat and back. PM if you are interested.

[Bill and Brenda Russell]

DATE: THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008, LATE AFTERNOON

We have abandoned any hopes of launching on the Red River at Shreveport, LA. The river is just to dangerous with a flow rate of 72,000 fps predicted for later this week.

Capt. Jim "Cajun Dory"
We are going to tow "Falcon" to the Port of Iberia and launch into the ICW there late in the afternoon of 3/13/2008. Capt. Jim "Cajun Dory" will help us find our way.

Roger and Mary Jo "C-Lover"
Brenda and I enjoy the sunrise and early breakfast while at anchor in some quiet cove beyond the reach of modern of life. Perhaps there may be a way for us to raft up for this experience while in your area and later just cruise along together for a while. Call us.

Jim and Laura "Wild Blue"
Jim your posts on "The Adventures of Wild Blue" are most interesting and informative. I hope we can buy lunch when we reach Brownsville, TX.

Bill and El "Halcyon"
I hope the Brazos River does not offer this novice boater the challenge described in your crossing. There just may be a familiar crease in the helm cushion left by the "pucker factor". Oh yes, we intend to go slow this time not like the ICW east and south to Key West last January, 2007.

Pat and Patty "Daydream"
Its nice to hear from you again after meeting you at the Seattle Boat show. As you can see we do not post allot but we will try to keep everyone informed on a daily basis of our progress. Thanks for the tip about Avery Island because our launch ramp at Port of Iberia is a short distance away.

Jeff and Kathy "C-Pearl"
Our good friends, a cruise together will have to be another day. Or could we look up to see "C-Pearl" bearing down on us somewhere along the way.

Drew Russell, a ninth grade computer expert grandson from Magnolia, AR will post our location on our site daily.

Bill and Brenda Russell 870-904-0708 Brenda's Cell

[Ashley Lynn]

Bill and Brenda,

Enjoy your cruise down the ICW. Wish I was there.

Brenda, don't let Bill pull up anchor in the middle of a midnight rainstorm!!

Have fun

[Capt. Jim]

Bill and Brenda are in the water and on their way to Avery Island!

[Bill and Brenda Russell]

Hello All,
This is Drew Russell posting for my grandparents, Bill and Brenda Russell.

Day 1:
· Date: March 13, 2008
· Temperature: 68 degrees
· Wind / Weather: Wind around 14 mph from SSE
· Location: Velcambre, LA – N29-57.014 W91-59.003
· Events Today: We cruised around in the ICW and canals. Captain Jim Shelton helped us launch “Falcon”, and also entertained us at dinner. A mishap that occurred today was we ran aground headed toward Avery Island. We are docked at a shrimp-boat dock.
· Events Tomorrow: Point “Falcon” west toward Mexico.

-- Drew Russell

[Pat Anderson]

Thanks for the report, Drew! Are you able to post some pix?

[Bill and Brenda Russell]

Hello All,
This is Drew Russell reporting for my grandparents, Bill and Brenda Russell.

Day 1:

· Date: March 14, 2008
· Temperature: No Report
· Wind / Weather: No Report
· Location: Tied off to a willow branch in a cove off ICW just east of Mile Marker 200. N 29 57.765 W 92 44.506
· Events Today: All attempts to reach Avery Island failed due to running aground. Topped off fuel at Shell Marina, Intercoastal City, LA.
· Events Tomorrow: Plan to head west.

-- Drew Russell

[Bill and Brenda Russell]

[Bill and Brenda Russell]

Hello All,
This is Drew Russell reporting for my grandparents, Bill and Brenda Russell.

Day 3:
· Date: March 15, 2008
· Temperature: No Report
· Wind / Weather: No Report
· Location: Bayou at Lake Charles, LA N-30 11.847 W- 93 14.282
· Events Today: Went into Lake Charles for fuel at Nalmar Marina. Traveled a total of 64.2 miles today. Lodging acquired at a nearby hotel close to the water.
· Events Tomorrow: Heading West into Texas.

-- Drew Russell

[Bill and Brenda Russell]

Hello All,
This is Drew Russell reporting for my grandparents, Bill and Brenda Russell.

Day 4:
· Date: March 16, 2008
· Temperature: No Report
· Wind / Weather: No Report
· Location: Anchored at a canal off ICW, West of Port Arthur, TX.
· Events Today: Had a nice breakfast in Lake Charles, LA this morning. Hired a man in Port Arthur to help get fuel. Thanks to Captain Jim for helping us find our way
· Events Tomorrow: Try to make it to Galveston, TX.

-- Drew Russell

[Bill and Brenda Russell]

Sorry, I forgot to post their exact location. Here it is:

N29 40.744
W94 12.685