2017 Cruises

Galveston Mardi Gras Cruise February 2017

With a great weather forecast we had 29 vessels head for Galveston yacht basin to party the last weekend of Mardi Gras.Imagine captained by Kenneth Ekenseair (cruise leader) left marker 2 at 10 AM with a total of 10 vessels going down the west pass to Galveston.  Some of them this was their first trip to Galveston, and many first time going the west pass.   Choosing that route actually worked out well because of a dredging operations in the HSC shut down all traffic.  We did have several that went HSC later after it was open, but what a great opportunity to go a different route..  Micky Netherly of MV Sand Castle II commented he really liked the  route and would use it in the future also.

Upon arrival at GYB everyone found their slip and got settled in for the weekend.  Dur to the number of boats we brought we were a bit spread out. Past Commodore Jerry Simoneaux had commented that every trip has its obstacles, you’re not going to get a hotel room in Galveston.  So we brought ours with us.  GYB once back in the day was a primer facility.  It still has LOCATION as its most attractive feature.  Talking with several residents it is possibly up for sale. 

The weather Friday night was just pleasant, no remarkable.  Docktails at the pavilion by the seawall where everyone enjoyed the mild weather.  Cajun music was playing and friends visited through the night.  We had some new TMCA members join in on this cruise, and I do believe we have them hooked! Several smaller groups broke out from visiting and walked over to The Original Mexican Café for dinner.  Others made their way to The Strand to view the parades, and bands. The Stand had 2 parades one was all fire trucks with lots of sirens!  The other parade was more floats and lots of beads to catch.  A few boats opted for a calm evening and did dinner on their boats and enjoyed the night with friends.   While the more hardcore members made it back to the marina. Winds had pickup to 24 kts out of the north.  Flags were popping and water was leaving.  By morning the water was down a good 3 feet.

Saturday morning the wind had decreased some and the temperature also dropped to a cool morning.   Around 9 AM we did a breakfast to share, and a Bloody Mary bar.  The featured items was anything hot you could eat before it got cold.  As we sat around visting we noticed it was 10 AM the wind dropped, the sun warmed things up and we had another great day.  Everyone seemed to relax and visit through the day.  At 4 PM we started loading the bus for our trip to Fish Tales.  Let me just say I have heard nothing but positive feedback from the party.  It was a total blast. The food was well prepared and a great variety.  There was gator and grits, boiled shrimp and crab, fried fish, raw oysters , oysters Rockefeller, and oysters Mardi Gras.  Plenty of desserts, and they keput the buffet up most of the night.  Everyone got a huge bag of beads to throw from the balcony.  Now having been on the receiving end of getting beads, it was a new perspective to be the giver, and I like the giver part better.  It was such a joy and fun to see what people will do for some imported beads from China!

Sunday morning most of the power boats left out early with winds supposed to pick back up that afternoon.  The sailboats were pleased with the forecast of wind, and had a quite sail back home.

To Dee Latiolais, and Jerry Simoneaux Super job on Fish Tales!  Everyone had a great time at Mardi Gras Galveston.  Plans are already underway for a 2017 Mardi Gras Cruise!  We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and it was our pleasure to lead this cruise.

Ken & Carol Ekenseair

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