Off the water today

Eds Adventures: It has been a while since my last update. It has been a challenge getting time to update the blog as much has been happening on and off the water. Last week was a real adventure. Some of the highlights were: frist day as deckhand i stepped off the boat with leftover lunches and ended up in the water. saved the lunches but scraped my body up a bit. Later that week I was getting off the boat with the days garbage and somehow my glasses went flying into the marina. Okay, I lost it for a minute. Wade my captain had a look of shock as I  shouted out a few explatives. He calmly got a net and started skimming the water. Soon he had my glasses and all was well. I felt a bit embarrassed by my behavior and apologized and thanked him for his help. Wade has been awesome to work for and a great guy. He has been on the island for 18 years and been shrimper, and runs the maintenance foe a shipyard before working on the oil spill. He knows the waters well and has such a history of the area along with Lenny and Darcy old timer captains from here.
By Wednesday the waters were so rough and we had zone 7 at the Empire Jetty's about 50 miles from Grand isle. Wades boat is 21 ft and 225 Merc outboard. It is fast but does not rider well in rough water. We got soaked by the time it was over.
Thursday was a stand down because of rough seas. By Friday Willdife and Fisheries announced they were avacuating due to Bonnie. I was now in a delema about where to go. Part of me wanted to just head back to FL and say goodbye. Bret texted me about staying near him in Denham Springs at his place or KOA near Baton Rougfe about 3.5 hours away. I had packed up my camper and moved to Allens house because the state park was full for the weekend.
That was good so Friday everyone started heading off the island. Allen left and I waited for Brett to find out what he was doing. Freddy, David were gone back to New orleans. I ended up locking my keys in the car. I pulled out my spare key and it did not work. I was stuck until Allen or Bret called. i had a spare battery for the key but no tiny screwdriver to replace it. I was at a low by this time just worn out from the challenges. Allen came back about noon and got ready to pack up. He took me over to the Sureway grocery-hardware store to see if I could get a screwdriver. The clerk looked through and could not find one small enough. I was going to have to call a locksmith. He checked for a minute longer and found one. Thank you Lord. He got it opened and I chnaged the battery. Allen dropped me off and left. i walked to my car calling the Holy Spirit to allow the key to work. I came close to the car and pressed the button. The doors popped open and all was well. What a relief was.
Brett called and met him at the Bridgeside marina finally about 2:30. he had to go back out on the water and was not leaving. He gave me directions and I left the island. I drove toward baton rouge following 1-90 to 1-10 to 310-to 55 to 1-12. to denham springs. It was kind of a suburb and a KOA for $40 night filled with large RV's and cable and pool. A few trees and a park across the way. It was my first and last KOA. crowded with people and no space. behind the campground was a toxic pond with a few leftover barrels of some toxic mix and NO SWIMMING signs. Nice touch!!!  The park was a little better and able to walk for a couple of miles along a little ditch.
I stayed for Fri and Sat night and found a Chilli's to have a meal. The storm never materialized

Sun morning I packed up and headed back to Grand Isle. Got here about 1:00 and checke into my old site lucky 13. Few people were back but they had the big party fundraiser. It was supposed to be International Tarpon Rodeo weekend fishhing tournament and concert. They had the concert with some stars, The little river band and some other names. It was good for the island and had about 10000 people. Kind of glad I missed it as traffic was terrible I heard. Wade and his family went and had a good time.
We were back on the water Monday morning with rough waters. BP decided to inspect all boats and also do drug testing for all personel this week. What a huge cost and wasate of moneyt. It seems they are trying to get rid of as many people as possible to lower costs.  There will be a lot fewer people here by the end of the week.
Tuesday we found out there was a gas line ruptured by a dredge boat spewing out oil and gas and sediment inot the air and spraying one of the few unoiled marshed areas. What a nightmare as it is still not shut off as of Thursday. How much more damage can happen here. I think it was BP sabatoge to divert the focus off them on Day 100. Anyway Wades boat broke down yesterday afternoon with water in the fuel tank and running on 4 cylinders. this morning it was not fixed and so I have time off until he gets it fixed. Too bad, no pay for today but hope he gets it fixed by tomorrow. I will take it easy and try to wash my car and clean it out. It is such a mess!!
I am not sure the title fits so much anymore. It does not exactly feel like the JOURNEY OF WONDERMENT but more like JOURNEY OF SURVIVAL. I have some more pics of new oil coming in and more bird island rookeries.