because we were so remote.On Wednesday morning we departed the Pungo River and proceeded up the Alligator River. You would think the Alligator River is named after the reptile but all we were able to spot was a lot of driftwood. So, for the first picture pretend this is an alligator.
We arrived at Alligator River Marina just beyond the Alligator Swing Bridge (and we haven't seen one alligator) around 1:30 - a four hour run. Early arrival allowed us to do some needed cleaning and maintenance before our dinner out of fried chicken and seafood in a booth in the back of the convenience store located at the marina. Overall - a "romantic" evening topped by watching The Idol on a 12 inch TV located in the bathroom/laundry/shower facilities.
On Thursday we once again left early so we could make the trip across the Albermarle Sound 
before potential inclement weather arrived in the afternoon. The Sound is the largest fresh water sound in the Eastern US and is shallow so any wind can cause turbulent travel. Our day across the Sound was smooth with the exception of the many, many crab pots that you are forced to dodge. After a long day of watching for crab pots, the Admiral took a breather.
before potential inclement weather arrived in the afternoon. The Sound is the largest fresh water sound in the Eastern US and is shallow so any wind can cause turbulent travel. Our day across the Sound was smooth with the exception of the many, many crab pots that you are forced to dodge. After a long day of watching for crab pots, the Admiral took a breather.We arrived at the town docks in Elizabeth City around 11:30 am. What a charming, friendly little se
a port town located on the Pasquotank River. The locals are there to help tie you up to the dock and the local grocery store will come to pick you up for shopping. The dockage is free on a first come basis.
a port town located on the Pasquotank River. The locals are there to help tie you up to the dock and the local grocery store will come to pick you up for shopping. The dockage is free on a first come basis. Here is a picture of Pia at the dock NOT taking a nap.
Doug and Leslie aboard "Happy Clamz" finally joined us in Elizabeth City. The three boats will travel together in the coming weeks.
We had planned to stay in Elizabeth City for a couple of days but learned of a bridge closing just south of Norfolk beginning Sunday for 3 day
s so we decided to leave on Friday to make the long anticipated trip to The Dismal Swamp and our first adventure through the locks. Here is Jack preparing "Still Busy" for an early departure as the sun rises.
s so we decided to leave on Friday to make the long anticipated trip to The Dismal Swamp and our first adventure through the locks. Here is Jack preparing "Still Busy" for an early departure as the sun rises.The Dismal Swamp is everything the name describes and is Mother Nature at her best! The waterway is long, winding, and narrow. You need to be alert for floating logs and debris in the channel. We passed one sailboat headed south in the 
waterway and he needed to watch for overhanging trees on his mast.
waterway and he needed to watch for overhanging trees on his mast. So, we finally make it to the lock which was a lift of 8 feet. This two pictures demonstrate how much you do rise - Pia when we first entered the lock and Pia we were ready to depart. All in all, not a bad experience for our first time. On The Loop there are over 110 locks - we have 2 behind us!!
After the first lock, we traveled to the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center (an oxymoron?) where you must raft together to accommodate all boats that are waiting overnight for the next lock at 11:00 AM the next morning. At this small face dock, we have 8 boats rafted together. The Dismal Swamp Welcome Center is also a state park and we took the opportunity to hike the trails.
We departed the Welcome Center Saturday morning in time to mak
e the lock opening at 11:00 AM. We crossed the Virginia state line prior to the lock and finally "locked through" the final lock on the canal around lunch and arrived in Norfolk/Portsmouth early afternoon. We made the trip from watching geese, turtles, and other wildlife to watching out for huge ships in the harbor. Quite a change of scenery and culture in a few short hours. 
We will be in Norfolk for a few days and plan to spend at least the next two weeks on the Chesapeake before traveling home for a few days in mid May. We were both amazed at the beauty of Eastern NC and are already talking about coming back to spend a few months exploring the many sights to see. We fully expect to enjoy the Chesapeake as much.
e the lock opening at 11:00 AM. We crossed the Virginia state line prior to the lock and finally "locked through" the final lock on the canal around lunch and arrived in Norfolk/Portsmouth early afternoon. We made the trip from watching geese, turtles, and other wildlife to watching out for huge ships in the harbor. Quite a change of scenery and culture in a few short hours. 
We will be in Norfolk for a few days and plan to spend at least the next two weeks on the Chesapeake before traveling home for a few days in mid May. We were both amazed at the beauty of Eastern NC and are already talking about coming back to spend a few months exploring the many sights to see. We fully expect to enjoy the Chesapeake as much.
3 comments:
Sounds like things are going well and the pictures are great. We are getting lots of rain in
Texas. Lake Texoma is rapidly rising and we are hoping it doesn't affect our boating season. Love reading your blog, I almost feel like I'm onboard sharing your journey.
Nita
Jack and Pia, as natives of Eastern NC, we welcome you back anytime. When you return, we suggest you do the NC Loop. Takes about a week or longer, at your leisure. Go from Beaufort to Oriental (maybe with a side trip to New Bern) to Alligator River, to Manteo, to Cape Hatteras, to Okracoke, and then back to Beaufort and Cape Lookout. Another popular side trip is to go to Washington on the Pamlico River. Nice welcoming docks and a great "olde" town, much like Edenton. See you on the water as we leave on May 18 to go North.
Rick and Betsy Johnson aboard Rick'N Roll II
You are "living the dream" and we are so excited for you. It sounds like the water in and around the marinas you have visited is pretty skinny.....good to know.
Lake Texoma has risen ten feet in less than four days. We may see our second '100 year flood' in three years.
It must still be pretty cold where you are - Pia sure is wearing a lot of clothes!
Bill
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