ICW TEXAS COAST SHREVEPORT, LA TO BROWNSVILLE, TX

Bill and Brenda Russell

DATE: MARCH 2008

DAY 1 LAUNCH AT TEAGUE PARKWAY PUBLIC LAUNCH RAMP SOUTH IN SHREVEPORT/BOSSIER, LA. THE FIRST DAY WILL BE A SHORT CRUISE DOWN THE RED RIVER TO A HIGH BANK SANDBAR FOR AN OVER NIGHT.

DAY 2 DOWN TO COFAX, LA FOR ANOTHER OVER NIGHT STAY AT THEIR VERY MODERN DOCK AND FACILITIES.

THE CRUISE TO THE ICW AT MORGAN CITY COULD TAKE FOUR DAYS AND TO COMPLETE THE ADVENTURE TO BROWNSVILLE, TX MAY TAKE A TOTAL OF THREE WEEKS.

THE RED AND ATCHAFALAYA HAS NO FUEL ON THE WATER SO THE 5 GALLON CAN WILL BE USED TO TRANSPORT FUEL AT ALEXANDRIA AND MELVILLE, LA ON THE WAY TO RIO FUEL DOCK, MORGAN CITY, LA NEAR THE ICW. MARINE FACILITIES ALONG THE ICW HAS BEEN CONVENIENT ON OTHER CRUISES, KEY WEST, GULF COAST GATHERING, AND THE MISSISSIPPI.

OUR SON WILL BE POSTING ON THE C-DORY SITE WITH LOCATIONS LISTED DAILY IF ANOTHER BOAT WANTS TO JOIN THE CRUISE ALONG THE WAY. JUST POST A MESSAGE THAT WILL BE RELAYED BY CELL PHONE SO THAT CONTACT CAN BE MADE.

BILL AND BRENDA RUSSELL 870-904-0708 BRENDA'S CELL

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:25 am Post subject:

Brenda and Bill, we look forward to your reports of this cruise!

Alok · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject:

I'm in Clear Lake, Texas (up Galveston Bay). Let me know when you reach this area, and I'll come and visit!

thataway · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject:

It will be interesting to see how you enjoy this run. We have done it a couple of times in diesesl powered boats to and from Clear Lake--only picking up fuel at Moragan City. There are some stretches without many marinas--just pull off to the side of the channel when you anchor, because of the oil rig crew boats going out in the middle of the night.

Also don't miss Avery Island--The Tobasco plant tour. It is about 4 to 5 miles off the ICW, but worth the trip.

Have fun!

flrockytop · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject:

Hi Bill and Brenda,

That's a great trip. In November I pushed a 110' crane barge for Pensacola to Brownsville. At 6mph it took 9 days. There is some great scenery at spots along the way. This would be a good time to go. Do you have any exact dates. My wife and I have been trying to conjure up a trip with the RV and c-lover. So, might hook up with you for a couple of days.

Roger and Mary Jo

flrockytop · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:24 pm Post subject:

Looking at the charts that might be a great trip for us. My wife is from Franklin, La . We could hook up with you in Morgan City and go as far as the Charention Canal (icw mm 123). Then we could go north and pick Bayou Teche. Then go down the Teche stopping in Franklin and end up back in Morgan City.

Roger and Mary Jo

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject:

Pandy Girl · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject: Cruise to TX

Hi Bill & Brenda
That sounds like a great cruise would like to join yall, but we are in Fort Myers Beach Fl. till the end of March.
We will be looking for you Post on the Cruise.
Jim & Sandy Jessup

Bill and Brenda Russell

DATE: MARCH 2008

THE DATE IS STILL ON HOLD BECAUSE WE ARE HOPING THAT AHOTHER BOAT WILL JOIN OUR ADVENTURE WHEN WE LAUNCH AT SHREVEPORT. ANOTHER THING IS THE FLOW RATE OF THE RED RIVER AT SHREVEPORT IS NOW 53,000 CFS (DANGERIOUS) SO WE ARE HOPING FOR A SLOWER RATE BEFORE LAUNCHING.

OUR GRANDSON CAME OVER AND SHOWED THIS OLD MAN HOW TO INSERT A PICTURE. THE ARKANSAS RIVER AT LITTLE ROCK, AR. IS IN THE BACKGROUND.

BILL AND BRENDA RUSSELL 870-904-0708 BRENDA'S CELL

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:36 pm Post subject: Tx trip

Cathy and I are hoping to either launch with you two or catch up some where along the way. At this point I still can't drive or even move around much without some pain. I was told to day by a friend that they always do big cuts when they do surgery on the lungs or kidneys. I'm not sure if that is always true but this dude gave me about a 12" long smiley face cut. I'll keep you updated on my progress but for now I'd have to say I'm very disappointed and don't know when I can come out to play. Rolling Eyes

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject:

We are at the far end of your proposed trip, in Port Isabel; the ICW actually ends here (at a turning basin near our home), not at Brownsville. No pleasure craft are allowed in the Port of Brownsville. Let us know when you firm up some dates... we can provide local information or perhaps meet up with you.

Good luck with the plans - keep us posted.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject: Wild Blue

Hey Bill, what's up with Jim? I thought we were all staying at his house and he was grilling steaks. Laughing

Then we would all get portraits made of our boats with the moon in the back ground. Moon

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:23 am Post subject: Re: Wild Blue

Capt. Jim · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject:

Hello Benda &Bill. Capt Jim here. I work in New Iberia, La. near the Port of Iberia.The Port is just off the ICW and has a public landing. Let me know if I can be of help in any way. Phone is 337-364-7141.
Good Luck!

Bill and Brenda Russell

DATE: Holding

Capt. Jim Cajun Dory
The Red River is just below flood stage flowing at a rate of 50,000 to 40,000 fps at Shreveport, and no improvement considering the recent heavy rains which presents a risky down river cruise. I am good to go but Brenda thinks it is dangerous.
We want to tow our C-Dory down to the ICW if we could find a marina or a place to store our tow vehicle and trailer. Capt. Jim do you have local information?

Jeff and Kathy, C-Pearl
Brenda and I were looking forward to cruising with you however I understand from experience that recovery from surgery is unpredictable and boating together will need to be another day. Possibly we can join Byrdman on one of his adventures this spring in Alabama or Tennessee.

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