Cruising cats: March 26, 2006
 

Sunday, March 26, 2006



We left our anchorage, along with some stowaway mosquitoes, and turned into
the main channel, where we saw tows with large loads tied to floating
bollards just before the West Port Arthur Bridge. They dwarfed a sailboat
that was tied to the last bollard. We recognized this small vessel as one
we had seen previously while crossing Galveston Bay.



The day was windy, but somewhat warmer. The brushy Texas landscape was
replaced by bare, twisted Louisiana tree trunks with broken limbs above
dense undergrowth. It was hard to tell if the trees were bare because of the
season, or if they were broken gray remnants of last year's Hurricane Rita.



Although we could hear bird calls from the vegetation, we saw only a few
birds. We were thrilled to see a flock of birds high overhead with the
sunlight reflecting off them, they looked like a flashing silver banner
undulating across the sky.



Sea gulls seem to enjoy gliding along behind us. Perhaps they are using our
draft to pull them along. Perhaps others have offered them treats, and they
expect the same from us.



This segment of the waterway is quite narrow in places, and twists and turns
with barely room for two large barges to pass. We follow for several hours,
unable to pass, a tow struggling to push an empty "six-pack" of barges in
the increasing winds.



The empties are harder to control in wind and current, and the load kept
blowing crosswise in the channel. We lingered behind as the tow captain
retook control until the next gust of wind or current grabbed the barges
again.



Our co-captains, Rosie and Cinder seem to have settled into a routine,
napping most of the way.



We turned up the Calcasieu River to find an anchorage for our first night
in Louisiana. Near the mouth of the river is the Ellender Lift Bridge,
which requires a four-hour notice to request an opening for boats taller
than 50 feet. Fortunately, we fit with lots of room to spare, and after
getting the lockmaster's permission, we passed under easily.



Posted by Annie, crew for Cinder & Rosie