We made it to Offatts Bayou in Galveston on Wednesday. Lots of excitement along the way, but here safe and sound. Even got to experience our first storm on the hook.

We are out in Offatts now, Pam is holding the internet antennae up in the air trying to pick up internet from a house... We left Palacios on the the 16th at 7:20 AM. Got to Matagorda Harbor at 2:00. Had lots of rum and Cokes to celebrate our escape from Serendipity. We stayed at a Courtesy slip for free (no power).

Went to San Bernard River next and anchored. Took a long time to find a spot big enough to put Zephia.

We like the barges, they are our friends, showing us the way through the ICW where the water depth can get really shallow. We follow through their muddy wake in the shallow areas. But on the 18th were were headed for Offatts, but started hearing about problems with the Brazos River locks. I was steering and hurring too much. We didn't have a barge ahead of us, so there wasnt someone to follow. I was crossing a wide bay area and guessing where I should go. Pam was yelling it was getting shallow and I should move over, but I went straight ahead... Bad move, I should have listened to my co-pilot, Ran right into a sand bar! Stuck really good. Couldnt get off on our own. Waited for one barge to go by so we could see if his wake would float us up and over the bar. It didnt. I called Tow Boat US for a tow. Another tow boat/barge was coming, I told him we were stuck, he asked if he should "thrown us some water". I said yes. He threw us a tidal waver! Almost flipped Zephia on her side! GOt stuck even more.

Tow BOat US finally came and easily pulled us out. We decided to stay at Bridge Harbor Yach club after the tramitic morning

Left for Offatts Bayou on the 19th. Got stuck at the entrance. THe guide said to stay to the left, you had to stay to the right. But we've learned our lesson about going through shallow waters. Go slow and if you bump into the ground, back up! Also swing the boat back and forth to find the edges of the channel.

A really bad cold front went through on the 20th at Offatts at 10PM. Howling winds, Zephia was swinging back and forth on the end of 100 ft of chain and another 100 ft of rope. The rope would keep jumping out of the bow roller and made a horrendous noise. Very unpleasant night!

Its beauthiful today the 21st, still chilly. Just regrouping. Figured out the trick to keep the rode from jumping the roller. Will be a nicer, warmer day tomorrow. We'll dingy to shore and check out Galveston.