ICW TEXAS COAST SHREVEPORT, LA TO BROWNSVILLE, TX

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
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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!
 
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
 
:lol: 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. :D 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

stoney240b-1.jpg
 
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
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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