GL: Lower Mississippi trip

[Ron Niemann]

Every so often, there is a request for information on doing the lower
Mississippi River from Cairo to the Gulf.  I completed this section late
last fall and it was a good trip if you have a boat with long legs and like
few pleasure boats for company, (I saw ZERO non-commercial boats except
local jon boats that were fishing or hunting).  There are numerous places to
anchor until Baton Rouge.  Fuel stops are few.  I use gas and they were
Memphis, TN (Mud Island-nice place) (270 miles from Cape Girardeau),
Greenville, MS (Marina that is tied to the casino) (200 miles from Memphis),
Weber Marine at Convent, LA (working marine facility) (370 miles from
Greenville) and Venice, LA (2 nice marinas focused on sport fishing) (160
miles from Weber's).  Many barges (largest was eight wide) and starting at
Baton Rouge, ocean going freighters.  Last protected anchorage (off the main
river) is at mile 195.  

 

Fog was an everyday occurrence.  Just plan on late starts, and below Baton
Rouge know that you have time to reach the next anchorage.  I got caught in
the fog coming into Venice, LA and had 3 hours of slow instrument boating
(like IFR without ATC).

 

The town and cities along the river have mostly turned away and all one sees
is a small boat ramp and a water tower over the levee.  

 

For a break, and to visit friends, I turned west at New Orleans thorough the
Harvey Lock to a marina at Lafitte. Good local food and lots of oil industry
activity in the area.  

 

If you like the industrial/commercial side of boating it is an interesting
trip, if you like marinas at night, best try a different trip.

 

Ron

 

Sally Marie (currently on the trailer in Wisconsin)