Houma, LA

Another early start this morning from the Morgan City dock.  Just after breaking away from the dock I contacted Berwick Control and was informed that the railroad bridge we had to pass under was closing for train traffic.  We circled to wait for the train to pass and the bridge to open.  Berwick cleared us to the Bayou Boeuf Locks which we found to be open and were cleared through with no delay.  For the next few miles the banks of the ICW were lined with support facilities for the oil industry, ie: several dry docks and numerous repair yards for the offshore boats and rigs.  It wasn't long before the scenery changed to mostly old trees on both sides. There seemed to be more bird activity.  Numerous Osprey, two Bald Eagles, Herons and Egrets plus more other species I couldn't identify.  As we got closer to Houma there were more signs of human activity.  Better looking hunters campsites and eventually more reconstructed occupied homes.  Speaking of signs, would you believe a full sized billboard along the ICW advertising the services of a law firm specializing in labor law? Tacky, huh! We arrived at the Houma Town Dock early in the day and took a break.  Sue and I took a cab to a Walmart for provisions. As planned, Colby arrived later in the day and we went out for dinner.  Sue needed the break!  Colby will be with us for a few days during his semester break.  Tonight I reviewed our boating plans for the next few days and I discovered that we can't make it ti New Orleans due to construction in the waterway that connects the ICW to Lake Pontchartrain that will last until late in 2011.  That means we can't make it to the marinas at New Orleans - there are no facilities on the Mississippi River.  We may leave the boat here in Houma and drive over to NO, an hour away. When we leave Houma we will still have to deal with transiting the Mississippi River and get to briefly see the city from the river.  That being the case, who knows where we will be for Christmas.....
Y'all stay vertical,
 Capt John and First Mate Sue
aboard the DEBRIEF