We felt quite protected in our sweet little Bow Tie Marina last night. We counted at least eight US Coast Guard boats tied up or on shore-side trailers as we docked and later learned the marina is also the home of the Lake Charles Coast Guard Station. With the off duty crew only a few steps away from our slip we felt quite safe. Actually, when Michael took the dogs for their evening walk an Ensign, carrying a radio, came out to greet them when they ventured a little too close to the barracks. No arrests made but they were told to find a spot away from the barracks to finish business.  Well, after being kicked off the base all we can say about the CG is thank you for your service!!

It was a very interesting day! It started raining this morning around 2:30 and continued til about 9:00 so we took our time. Michael took the doggies for a walk, we had breakfast aboard, then left the dock at about 9:20. We retraced our route back out the river through the “rich and famous” houses, past the casinos and into the area where the big ships travel. We were given a “crash” course in whistles by the ship and tug boat captains. One whistle or two-starboard to starboard or port to port, over taking or meeting head on or???? Anyway we got the first one wrong but eventually figured it out. We are, after all, fast learners! The captains were very gracious and accommodating and we were embarrassed…again!

We reached the “dreaded” Calasieu lock area at about 10:40. There was lots of barge traffic. We contacted the lock master on channel 14 and were told to hang for a few minutes while the tug in front of us cleared the lock. Then he said come on through – this was really a drive through lock rather than one where you go in, the gates get closed and you are either are raised or lowered, so it was pretty simple and we didn’t even have to use our Big Balls and/or rubber gloves. The anticipation was worse than the actual event. Then came the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge – we had to hail the bridge tender on channel 13 to request permission to go through. We followed a barge and went right through. The tug in front of us got a long horn followed by a short horn, we got five horns – yet another lesson. Then came the Grand Lake Pontoon Bridge. Again we called for permission on VHF 13 and followed a barge through. There was lots of traffic on the VHF and we were monitoring two channels – 13 and 14 – so it was a bit confusing and it was very hard to understand everyone with their thick Cajun accents…but we made it.

I didn’t know what the shoreline view was during all this as I never looked at it. Had my eyes on the tugs/barges, locks, and bridges. Once we got through the Grand Lake Bridge I noticed the scenery was pretty much the same as before – pretty boring.

The next bridge was Creole Bridge but it was 73 feet high which we cleared with some room to spare. The only instruction here was to slow down for the fuel depot if there was a red light on. We didn’t see a red light or a fuel depot but slowed down anyway. Can’t be too careful out here.

We went up the Mermentau River and around 3:30 anchored in a beautiful “oxbow” cove. Life is good…

Tomorrow we plan to go to Morgan City, Louisiana which is about 65 miles. Another rather long day but there isn’t much between here and there. We hope to tie up at a new marina there.