Bob, don't want to bust your bubble, BUT. The Freshwater lock has been under going repairs also, usually closed until 5PM weekdays, and lots of oilfield traffic backed up waiting to transit. Good news is that shrimping season is closed so you won't have to jockey with them also. More good news, the Vermilion Bay route is not bad. I've been running that route couple times a month last few months in 6.5 foot draft lift boat (one of those barges with long spindly legs, why do they call them legs if they are stick out the top?). One thin spot at 18 mark going up Four Mile Cut channel if strong north wind has blown all the water out of the bay, but we always could plow thru. No problems going up the Weeks Bay channel. If you need fuel, great prices usually at Shell Morgan Landing in Intracoastal City (ICY), but you have to back track from Weeks channel or take the longer Four Mile route since you are headed east. Also great fuel price at D & D Fuel dock in Port of Iberia, about 7-miles straight up the Weeks channel after crossing the ICW. There is a marina at Cypermort Point with transient space. Tom Manning