Cruise to Lake Charles

Early Sunday 9/22 - Four TMCA boats departed Kemah for the 73nm run to Taylor Outfall.

Steve & Bron Lee                              m/v Southern Cross

Ken & Kelly Hutchinson                  m/v Calypso                               

Ron & Linda Gerdes                         m/v Delta 1/11

Barry Dupuy                                       m/v Morning Star

Tony & Jason Metcalfe                    m/v Lola

M/V Lola had spent the previous night anchored at Baffle Point, then joined the flotilla as we motored along the ICW past the Bolivar Peninsula. It was a calm, warm night at anchor at Taylor Outfall.

Monday 9/23 – It was another early start for the remaining 56nm trip to Lake Charles. Within an hour, as we were passing the industrial section of the ICW at Port Arthur, Morning Star picked up a foreign object in it’s prop, which caused much consternation in the fleet. After several phone calls to a commercial dock at the mouth of the Neches River, they allowed Barry to dock there, and call a diver. Two hours later, and with a lighter wallet, Barry was underway again, minus the offending industrial tarp!

As we approached Lake Charles, Delta 1/11, Southern Cross and Morning Star all stopped at Bowtie Marina to top up with fuel, then caught up with Calypso and Lola at the Bord du Lac Municipal Marina in Lake Charles.

TMCA member Raymond Duhon was at the dock to help everyone tie up. Later another member, Eric Rice, along with both their spouses, ferried everyone to the Pujo Street Café for a delicious dinner.

Tuesday 9/24 – It was a well-earned leisurely day at the marina for everyone, and especially the several crews who had done without a/c for two days. Luckily several local boat vendors made ‘house calls’ !

Docktails onboard Southern Cross preceded a great potluck dinner hosted by Ken & Kelly aboard Calypso.

They seated about twelve guests in comfort and out of the heat and bugs!

Wednesday 9/25 - This was another casual day with more boat jobs, socializing and enjoying ourselves. Several of us walked to the Historic City Hall Arts & Cultural Center, which houses many traveling exhibitions as well as community-centered events. It is well worth a visit, as is the Bux Kajun Korner old-timey store.

Our friend Susan, who lives locally, ferried everyone to Tia Juanitas Fish Camp restaurant, for yet another delicious dining experience in Lake Charles. She was invaluable, getting folks to the grocery store and anywhere they needed to go.

Thursday 9/26 – Another casual day at the dock, visiting between boats and making preparations for the trip home.

More evening docktails aboard Southern Cross, then the group walked over the Laguna’s Mexican Grill for our farewell dinner together. We all really enjoyed trying out some of the many great restaurants along Ryan Street, and plan to check out even more on the next cruise over to Lake Charles!

Friday 9/27 - the flotilla departed Bord du Lac reasonably early and followed our breadcrumbs the 56nm back to Taylor Outfall for another calm night at anchor.

Saturday 9/28 – it was an early departure for most of us, to complete the 73nm run, home to Kemah.

Calypso overnighted at GYB to visit with friends, then came home on Sunday. Lola anchored at Baffle Point again.

This was a fun cruise and a relatively easy run to Lake Charles.

But, if you really want to find out what is wrong with your boat systems, just do an extended trip!

Every vessel had ‘issues’, ranging from starter problems, to a/c problems, to throttle issues, to generator issues and even a bow thruster failure. We all supported each other and worked through things that occurred, as boaters always do!

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