ICW TEXAS COAST SHREVEPORT, LA TO BROWNSVILLE, TX

Bill and Brenda Russell

Hello All,

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

Day 1:
· Date: March 17, 2007
· Temperature: No Report
· Wind / Weather: No Report
· Location: No Information Available
Events Today: Finally found anchorage in a shallow channel last night. GPS showed a negative and we kicked up some mud. Barge traffic was halted by a strong tide current sometime around 4:00 A.M. Entering Galveston bay showed us waves between 3 & 4 feet until we reached the Galveston Bay Yacht Club & Marina.
· Events Tomorrow: Bad weather approaching. May keep Falcon in a slip. Hotel: Holiday Inn Galveston

-- Drew Russell

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:15 pm Post subject:

Looks like a tough day or two around that area for weather. Good time to be in a safe port. Good luck and keep the posts coming.

Drew, did you get the PM I sent?

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Bill and Brenda Russell · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject:

Sorry for the lack of an update yesterday. They stayed in the port they were docked in the night before because of severe weather. I will post tfeir progress tonight when I hear from them again.

Thanks Drew.

P.S. -- JamesTXSD, I checked in their PM box, and it didn't show any new messages. I'm not sure why, but it didn't. Sorry!

Bill and Brenda Russell

Hello All,

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

Day 1:
· Date: March 19, 2007
· Temperature: Mid/High 60’s and Low 70’s throughout the day
· Wind / Weather: 6MPH from NW.
· Location: Anchored at entrance of Cedar Lake, 10 miles west of the Brazos River. N28 50.609 W95 30.403
· Events Today: River crossing was easy. Saw an alligator running along the bank as well.
· Events Tomorrow: Heading West Tomorrow

-- Drew Russell

captstoney · Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: Our Meeting in Matagorda Tx.

Hi Bill and Brenda,
Would like to take this time to thank you two for the great lunch. Oh, by the way it was great meeting both of you. Very Happy

Hope your journey is a safe and pleasant one.

Keep in touch and maybe we can do Key West together, only this time we make the women drive Teeth

Bill and Brenda Russell

Hello All,

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

Day 1:

· Date: March 20, 2008
· Temperature: No Report
· Wind / Weather: No Report
· Location: Anchored in San Antonio Bay, west of Port O’ Connor and south of Seadrift; water depth is around 2 feet. N29 22.001 W96 43.190
· Events Today: Had trouble finding a place to anchor, but saw dolphins swimming along with us. It was a beautiful sight.
· Events Tomorrow: Heading West Tomorrow.

-- Drew Russell

Bill and Brenda Russell

Hello All,

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

Day 1:
· Date: March 21, 2008
· Temperature: No Report
· Wind / Weather: No Report
· Location: Slip at Key Allegro Isle Marina on mile marker 37. They have a nice restaurant called Snoopy’s. N27 37.894 W97 14.406
· Events Today: Had a rough night last night due to boat rocking. Found fuel at the marina we are currently staying at.
· Events Tomorrow: Heading West Tomorrow.

-- Drew Russell

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:20 am Post subject:

Hi Drew,

Let your grandparents know that there are some interesting things to do around Rockport and Port Aransas. The city marina in Port Aransas is reasonably priced and within easy walking distance to everything in that neat little beach town. There is a bus that will take you all around town, as well. Rockport has a great marine museum and lots of interesting art galleries.

Also, Corpus Christi has a beautiful waterfront. The city owned marina is nice; also easy walking to good restaurants. After leaving Corpus, there is a marina at the south end of the bay, just beyond the bridge - that will be the last fuel until they get to Port Mansfield (about 100 miles). Port Mansfield is a generally quiet place, mostly catering to fishing. We couldn't get a slip at the marina, they don't allow you to anchor in the harbor area, so we tied off to the Chamber of Commerce dock for the night.

From Port Mansfield, it is 35 nm to Port Isabel (and the end of the ICW). Another interesting side trip is up the Arroyo Colorado. It runs along the Atascosa Wildlife Refuge - lots of birding, maybe a gator, and if you are really fortunate you may see an ocelot in the very early morning.

As they get close, have them contact us. PMed contact info a few days ago. We will be heading out for a couple weeks at the end of the month - hope it works out that we get to meet.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Bill and Brenda Russell

Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday. Had some Internet/Computer problems.
______________________________________________________

Hello All,

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

Day 9:

· Date: March 22, 2008
· Temperature: No Report
· Wind / Weather: No Report
· Location: We are in Port Mansfield, TX staying in a hotel pm the water, so close that we can see Falcon in her slip.
· Events Today: Cruise was fast with crystal clear waters today. Average speed was around 15-16 mph, with around 4,000 rpm.
· Events Tomorrow: We only have around 30 miles on our adventure left, so we may reach our destination.

-- Drew Russell

Bill and Brenda Russell · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject:

Reached Destination Today.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject:

We can vouch for that. I didn't think we'd see these two for another week or so, but they made some miles. They called today when they were just outside of Port Isabel; we happened to be out on our boat with some friends, so we met them and escorted them to a neighbor's dock in our canal. They don't let any grass grow under their feet - they bought lunch, we took them to a car rental place in Harlingen and they are already on their way back north to fetch their truck and trailer (over 600 miles away)!

And here's something I've never seen - two C-Dorys in Port Isabel!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Doryman · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject:

So, you launched in New Iberia on 3/13 and arrived in Port Isabel on 3/23, for 10 days on the water. That sounds pretty fast. Were you on a schedule? I'm thinking about doing something similar next winter, but for 2 months or so.

Warren

Dora~Jean · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject:

Tis a pretty sight indeed Jim, thanks for the picture! Glad they made it there fine.

Pandy Girl · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject:

Hi Bill & Brenda,
Glad you made it to the South Point of Tx
We have been keeping up with your trip, we hope we can go on another trip with yall like we did in 2007 in Tenn.
Jim & Sandy Jessup
Thanks Drew for keeping us updated

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

Zoom, zoom, zoom!

Bill and Brenda made it back to Port Isabel today, picked up their boat, and hit the road! Whew! Less than 48 hours ago, they left in a rental car to go get their truck/trailer (600 miles away). I was gone today (didn't know they'd be back so soon); Joan got the key to the ramp, helped them bring the boat around and get it loaded on the trailer.

Bon voyage, Bill and Brenda - drop a post here to let us know when you're home safe.

Best wishes,
Jim B.