A night with Willie Manchew

You just never know what manner of man or beast these Pirates will be raising the rafters with...

On July 26th the crew went in search of a landmark. Not exactly a set-in-stone sort of landmark... but still something they knew they would keep a weathered eye open for until they came to the spot of its yearly return. And suddenly, there it was. A mosquito so large it could only come from Texas. You might think the citizens of Clute would run from it, but no. They actually hold a festival in honor of the old boy every single year! His name is Willie Manchew, and he is the official mascot of the Great Texas Mosquito Festival.

As it turns out, Willie's festival is just the sort that the Intercoastal Pirates love. Good times, good people, and insane amounts of food and drink. Thanks to our old friends from Dido's, and new friends, the Smoking Chilis, for great food, along with the Festival Crew for making certain we never ran our of liquid refreshments.

The guys had a great time on stage, and the crowd joined in on nearly every song. The stage was shared with Mickey and the Motorcars and Kevin Fowler. The music was great throughout the night and everyone; bands, fans, and festival folks enjoyed the evening together. We all made new friends, renewed some old acquaintances, and discovered Bud Lime is pretty darned good. After hours of fun, the sails billowed and the Pirates were off, Willie flew to wherever 26 foot tall mosquitoes go in the off-season, and the crowd went home happy.

A well-deserved week off is on the horizon before a brand new port of call will be seen over the bow... Pearland Town Center! Plenty of merchants there to help you find something for the lad or lass of your life... while rocking with the best band in the county! Come on out and help us break it in Intercoastal Pirate style!

The 4th, The Trifecta, The Aftermath...

Wearied of the challenge of pillaging a port at a time, The Intercoastal Pirates hatched a plan of diabolical proportion... three towns in three nights. Surely to be spoken of in pirating lore for years to come, the boys loaded the ship without intention of returning for rest until making prize of a fishing port, a riverside celebration, and a beachside home for partying castaways in one fell swoop!

Sailing in behind cover provided by the Catfish Mafia, the Pirates stormed the stage at the Freeport Fishin Fiesta... taking no prisoners (but making lots of friends) the boys had their way with a crowd of revelers into the night. It's sure this place will be on the re-pillage list for next year. After hours of music and merriment, the ship slipped off into the night...

The very next night, ready to see familiar faces in familiar places, the ship went up the San Bernard river to dock at Dido's. It was a great day, the 4th day of July, and all were ready to spend time (and a few pieces of eight, to boot!) on wine, women, song, and recognition of the Pirates only true home... THE GREAT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!! There has never been a port made that can match the ol' US of A, and nay, never will be to our eyes! Then, while the the rockets were glaring red... aye, and the bombs were bursting in air... on to port three...

Having been to a place with years of history on day one, then to a place we all love to swash our buckles on day two, it was time to come in under full sail and crash a new port of call. A few blocks off the main thoroughfare in Surfside Beach, within cannonshot of the sandy shore, we found a place with a name begging a good pirating.. Castaways! The swords were flashing (as were other things through the evening, but that's another tail.. I mean tale), and the crowd was won over to the Pirate way of life, love, and laughter. By night's end, the Castaway's were feeling that old Pirate magic, and the boys had made Pirate history.

As you can see, it took a few days below decks to gain the strength back for the telling of this tale. And just in time! The swashbuckling quintet has located one of their own long lost members, and then went and found another body of water they've yet to violate! And you know they can't leave that alone.. so off to Dow's Reservoir to party and play with the company folks.

Do these sea dogs ever rest????