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Cruising cats: March 27, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
We rose with the sun, ate breakfast, and pulled up an anchor covered with Louisiana black mud. We retraced our path downstream and under the bridge and entered the ICW. During our exit, I draped both sides of Genesis with every fender we own to protect us from the sides of the impending Calcasieu locks. I also prepared bow and stern lines, as well as spring (center) lines to use to tie the boat while inside the lock. I prepared all sides because I did not know which side we would occupy. We notified the lockmaster of our presence and waited, along with two barges for our turn to go through. The gates opened, and two barges came out. Then, the lockmaster called for us to enter and motor through without having to tie up. We idled slowly forward as the entrance gates closed behind us, and the exit gates opened in front of us. The lockmaster cleared us to leave, and on the other side, we found a line of barges waiting for a turn. Jim heard on the radio that their wait would be several hours. Almost immediately after the Calcasieu Locks is the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge. The pontoon bridges can be tricky because an above water cable pulls the bridge open for boat traffic. It is important to wait until the cable is lowered into the water's depths before crossing the opening. The bridge tender sounds an "all clear" signal (one long and one short horn blast) when it is clear to go over the cable. Later, at another pontoon bridge, we saw a large, fast power boat zoom past a loaded barge and enter the opening before we heard the "all clear" signal. According to what we heard on the radio, the boat driver thought he had touched bottom, when he actually had skimmed over the cable as it was being lowered. We hoped he at least has sense to have his boat hauled out to check for damage to his hull. We heard the bridge tender hail the boater on the radio and quite politely, we thought, remind him of the one long and one short signal. We anchored that night on the Mermentau River and enjoyed the sunset in a beautiful, secluded spot. We were tempted to let the cats out of the cabin and on the decks, but did not do it because of the possibility of alligators lurking under the surface on the off chance that a cat (or one of the crew members) might decide to take a dip. |
#2
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Cruising cats: March 27, 2006
Annie W, I'm really enjoying your cruising stories.
Suz&Spicey |
#3
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Cruising cats: March 27, 2006
Annie Wxill wrote:
Monday, March 27, 2006 We notified the lockmaster of our presence and waited, along with two barges for our turn to go through. The gates opened, and two barges came out. Then, the lockmaster called for us to enter and motor through without having to tie up. We idled slowly forward as the entrance gates closed behind us, and the exit gates opened in front of us. Aren't locks the coolest thing? We went through one somewhere in the state of Washington on my uncle's boat; couldn't tell you which since I was only 9 at the time. Jill |
#4
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Cruising cats: March 27, 2006
On 2006-04-01 15:39:49 -0600, "Annie Wxill" said:
Monday, March 27, 2006 We rose with the sun, ate breakfast, and pulled up an anchor covered with Louisiana black mud. We retraced our path downstream and under the bridge and entered the ICW. During our exit, I draped both sides of Genesis with every fender we own to protect us from the sides of the impending Calcasieu locks. I also prepared bow and stern lines, as well as spring (center) lines to use to tie the boat while inside the lock. I prepared all sides because I did not know which side we would occupy. We notified the lockmaster of our presence and waited, along with two barges for our turn to go through. The gates opened, and two barges came out. Then, the lockmaster called for us to enter and motor through without having to tie up. We idled slowly forward as the entrance gates closed behind us, and the exit gates opened in front of us. The lockmaster cleared us to leave, and on the other side, we found a line of barges waiting for a turn. Jim heard on the radio that their wait would be several hours. Almost immediately after the Calcasieu Locks is the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge. The pontoon bridges can be tricky because an above water cable pulls the bridge open for boat traffic. It is important to wait until the cable is lowered into the water's depths before crossing the opening. The bridge tender sounds an "all clear" signal (one long and one short horn blast) when it is clear to go over the cable. Later, at another pontoon bridge, we saw a large, fast power boat zoom past a loaded barge and enter the opening before we heard the "all clear" signal. According to what we heard on the radio, the boat driver thought he had touched bottom, when he actually had skimmed over the cable as it was being lowered. We hoped he at least has sense to have his boat hauled out to check for damage to his hull. We heard the bridge tender hail the boater on the radio and quite politely, we thought, remind him of the one long and one short signal. We anchored that night on the Mermentau River and enjoyed the sunset in a beautiful, secluded spot. We were tempted to let the cats out of the cabin and on the decks, but did not do it because of the possibility of alligators lurking under the surface on the off chance that a cat (or one of the crew members) might decide to take a dip. Locks are amazing things. I've only read about them but they seem so complex!! |
#5
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Cruising cats: March 27, 2006
We used to have a cedar strip boat when I was a youngster and traveled from
our small little lake to the lake in the next town via a lock. It was only single stage as I recall and dinky compared to the locks Cinders and Rosie are using. But it was cool when you were six. I'm surprised there was enough traffic to pay for it, must have been subsidized by the town/province. "Karen" wrote in message news:2006040120164116807%kchuplis@alltelnet... On 2006-04-01 15:39:49 -0600, "Annie Wxill" said: Monday, March 27, 2006 We rose with the sun, ate breakfast, and pulled up an anchor covered with Louisiana black mud. We retraced our path downstream and under the bridge and entered the ICW. During our exit, I draped both sides of Genesis with every fender we own to protect us from the sides of the impending Calcasieu locks. I also prepared bow and stern lines, as well as spring (center) lines to use to tie the boat while inside the lock. I prepared all sides because I did not know which side we would occupy. We notified the lockmaster of our presence and waited, along with two barges for our turn to go through. The gates opened, and two barges came out. Then, the lockmaster called for us to enter and motor through without having to tie up. We idled slowly forward as the entrance gates closed behind us, and the exit gates opened in front of us. The lockmaster cleared us to leave, and on the other side, we found a line of barges waiting for a turn. Jim heard on the radio that their wait would be several hours. Almost immediately after the Calcasieu Locks is the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge. The pontoon bridges can be tricky because an above water cable pulls the bridge open for boat traffic. It is important to wait until the cable is lowered into the water's depths before crossing the opening. The bridge tender sounds an "all clear" signal (one long and one short horn blast) when it is clear to go over the cable. Later, at another pontoon bridge, we saw a large, fast power boat zoom past a loaded barge and enter the opening before we heard the "all clear" signal. According to what we heard on the radio, the boat driver thought he had touched bottom, when he actually had skimmed over the cable as it was being lowered. We hoped he at least has sense to have his boat hauled out to check for damage to his hull. We heard the bridge tender hail the boater on the radio and quite politely, we thought, remind him of the one long and one short signal. We anchored that night on the Mermentau River and enjoyed the sunset in a beautiful, secluded spot. We were tempted to let the cats out of the cabin and on the decks, but did not do it because of the possibility of alligators lurking under the surface on the off chance that a cat (or one of the crew members) might decide to take a dip. Locks are amazing things. I've only read about them but they seem so complex!! |
#6
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Cruising cats: March 27, 2006
Annie Wxill wrote:
Monday, March 27, 2006 I love reading your 'log' of your trip, Annie. Makes me miss the island and the boating. Summer, come soon! -- Marina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. marina (dot) kurten (at) iki (dot) fi Stories and pics at http://koti.welho.com/mkurten/ Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki |
#7
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Cruising cats: March 27, 2006
My goodness Annie you are having an exciting adventure,
I hope the poor doggie gets a good home,and your cats do *not* secide to take a swim Good Luck, Jean. Annie Wxill wrote in message ... Monday, March 27, 2006 We rose with the sun, ate breakfast, and pulled up an anchor covered with Louisiana black mud. We retraced our path downstream and under the bridge and entered the ICW. During our exit, I draped both sides of Genesis with every fender we own to protect us from the sides of the impending Calcasieu locks. I also prepared bow and stern lines, as well as spring (center) lines to use to tie the boat while inside the lock. I prepared all sides because I did not know which side we would occupy. We notified the lockmaster of our presence and waited, along with two barges for our turn to go through. The gates opened, and two barges came out. Then, the lockmaster called for us to enter and motor through without having to tie up. We idled slowly forward as the entrance gates closed behind us, and the exit gates opened in front of us. The lockmaster cleared us to leave, and on the other side, we found a line of barges waiting for a turn. Jim heard on the radio that their wait would be several hours. Almost immediately after the Calcasieu Locks is the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge. The pontoon bridges can be tricky because an above water cable pulls the bridge open for boat traffic. It is important to wait until the cable is lowered into the water's depths before crossing the opening. The bridge tender sounds an "all clear" signal (one long and one short horn blast) when it is clear to go over the cable. Later, at another pontoon bridge, we saw a large, fast power boat zoom past a loaded barge and enter the opening before we heard the "all clear" signal. According to what we heard on the radio, the boat driver thought he had touched bottom, when he actually had skimmed over the cable as it was being lowered. We hoped he at least has sense to have his boat hauled out to check for damage to his hull. We heard the bridge tender hail the boater on the radio and quite politely, we thought, remind him of the one long and one short signal. We anchored that night on the Mermentau River and enjoyed the sunset in a beautiful, secluded spot. We were tempted to let the cats out of the cabin and on the decks, but did not do it because of the possibility of alligators lurking under the surface on the off chance that a cat (or one of the crew members) might decide to take a dip. |
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