from
texas to lake pontchartrain, use
icw.
ponchartrain thru rigolets--must use
radio to get csx rigolets to open...then missisippi sound and barrier islands across to mobile
alabama...go thru mobile bay to icw--is all icw--marked in
gps and charts--to lulus,$$$$, which is before ocean springs... we stopped in ingrahams bayou, we stopped in wolf bay--both are excellent anchorages for waiting out storms...our
gps and
charts told of submerged piles exiting wolf bay toward pirates cove and then
pensacola, but we didnt encounter em or know their
depth .. pirats cov spozed to have est hamburgers in life..not as pricey as lulus..
there is a nice new
fuel station in there,now..and a marina wa s created as well....(2010)
lulus is a good place for lunch...cheeseburger in paradice...fuel stop and a
dock fro a day usable for reprovisioning...sister to jimmy buffet
ingrahams and wolf are after lulus....pirate cove, another popular place we didnt attend is on the way to pensacola -- i was advised i was not smart for having missed it--
pensacola was nice--we anchored in great harbor? just before the cut to gulf and south to more icw...as we were too tall )over 50 ft height ) we couldnt do icw--if you are not too tall for bridges, go for it--is gorgeous...
destin was a pita--strong
current in a very iffy shoaling entrance--very trendytouristy
apalachiacola is not to be mised with your size
boat. good provisioning--hve a bicycle.
port st joe--marin was
winter rates 1 usd per foot ... good
provisioning, free use of bicycles for shpping, good
food, excellent thrift shop, and much more--dont miss this --lulus here is for ie cream and cake to absolutely kill for...awesomest bestest i ever tasted, ice cream and cake , including my
family baking experts..
there are many places to see and sail and explore in the icw as well as the gulf sailing on the outside--storm hiding holes and other interesting stuff..beautiful area.
bring skeeter kill and repellent..gallons of it..ditto black flies stuff---the beauty of those places is offset a tad by the insect population and its desire for fresh blood....
fishing is good. have a fla
license. they are for real. the catch was yummy each time, and good variety from small tuna relations to dorado to sierra/spanish mackerel...king mackerel--conch....more...
we went from slidell louisiana to fort jefferson and back a few times...beautiful no matter how or where you go or
route you take.
remember-if you see tugs and tows wharfed or still-- go drop
anchor in the absolutely closest and safest place you can find. do not again move until they do...they know when it will be bad, yes BAD weather.