We left Oriental on 5/27 with clouds, rain, NE winds of 15 knots and 1 foot waves in the Neuse River building to 2 footers in the Pamlico River but watch out for the deadhead (tree branch) by the Hoboken Bridge by the Coast Guard Station—could they remove it? On to the Pungo River cut and then 20 miles on the Alligator River for a 79 mile day. We anchored with Avalon at Milepost 102.2 which was quiet until 8-10 pm when the Marine aircraft streamed overhead and then back to quiet and a good night’s sleep
Up and aweigh with Avalon at 6:30am in the fog but this burned off as the sun rose higher. We had an easy day on the rest of the Alligator River and then on to the unbelievably easy, flat calm journey on the 14 miles of the Albemarle Sound—did we luck out. We parted ways with Avalon as they are headed for the Virginia Cut and we are headed for Elizabeth City and the Dismal Swamp route. Thanks for helping we ICW newbies through some difficult sections.
As we neared Elizabeth City, we saw the blimp hangar and a blimp ready to launch—they still use these for advertising on the east coast. As we approached the free docks at Elizabeth City, the SE wind increased to 15-20 knots which would surf us right into the dock with a roaring tailwind just like a sailboat we saw crash. Free or not, we did not want to wipe out. Sam from the Elizabeth City Rose Buddies called us on Channel 16 and diverted us over to an overflow docking area by the museum. This docking had its challenges but no damage to us or our boat so that’s a good boating day.
Elizabeth City prides itself on being the Harbor of Hospitality since 1983 when wine and cheese receptions for boaters complete with roses for the First Mate was inaugurated. See the picture of the plaque commemorating this tradition. Current Rose Buddies, Charlotte and Dave, met all of the visiting boaters (Lady J, Briar Patch, Sea Shell and La Vinea) at 4:30 pm and gave us a welcoming reception as well as an orientation to the Dismal Swamp.
Hospitality does not stop there as Farm Fresh Supermarket will offer a free shuttle and the new museum is free. Check out the pirate history and the new Art Duck O exhibit as well as try your luck at the Shooting Gallery. If you don’t have time to do the Great Circle Loop, consider doing the Caroline Loop from Norfolk to Coinjock to Elizabeth City and through the Dismal Swamp. Elizabeth City also has a walking tour and Civil War markers so its pr campaign slogan of "nestled in history and steeped in charm" is very accurate.
Up and aweigh with Avalon at 6:30am in the fog but this burned off as the sun rose higher. We had an easy day on the rest of the Alligator River and then on to the unbelievably easy, flat calm journey on the 14 miles of the Albemarle Sound—did we luck out. We parted ways with Avalon as they are headed for the Virginia Cut and we are headed for Elizabeth City and the Dismal Swamp route. Thanks for helping we ICW newbies through some difficult sections.
As we neared Elizabeth City, we saw the blimp hangar and a blimp ready to launch—they still use these for advertising on the east coast. As we approached the free docks at Elizabeth City, the SE wind increased to 15-20 knots which would surf us right into the dock with a roaring tailwind just like a sailboat we saw crash. Free or not, we did not want to wipe out. Sam from the Elizabeth City Rose Buddies called us on Channel 16 and diverted us over to an overflow docking area by the museum. This docking had its challenges but no damage to us or our boat so that’s a good boating day.
Elizabeth City prides itself on being the Harbor of Hospitality since 1983 when wine and cheese receptions for boaters complete with roses for the First Mate was inaugurated. See the picture of the plaque commemorating this tradition. Current Rose Buddies, Charlotte and Dave, met all of the visiting boaters (Lady J, Briar Patch, Sea Shell and La Vinea) at 4:30 pm and gave us a welcoming reception as well as an orientation to the Dismal Swamp.
Hospitality does not stop there as Farm Fresh Supermarket will offer a free shuttle and the new museum is free. Check out the pirate history and the new Art Duck O exhibit as well as try your luck at the Shooting Gallery. If you don’t have time to do the Great Circle Loop, consider doing the Caroline Loop from Norfolk to Coinjock to Elizabeth City and through the Dismal Swamp. Elizabeth City also has a walking tour and Civil War markers so its pr campaign slogan of "nestled in history and steeped in charm" is very accurate.
