May 24, 2010

Another State Under Our Belts
Historic or Not I Think It Should Be Torn Down
Tree Growing in a Piling
Deep Creek Lock
Lock Master Kept Us Entertained with His Musical Ability with a Conch
Potest Fieri is Home for the Next Six Weeks
Dismal Swamp Welcome Center Mileage 28 to Atlantic Yacht Basin Mileage 12 on the Intra Coastal Waterway - It really was dismal today as it was threatening to rain all morning. The Welcome Center was a great stop. We left the other boats at the Intra Coastal Waterway and headed south to the Atlantic Yacht Basin where we are leaving the boat for six weeks to go back to Thunder Bay. In those six weeks the boat will be hauled, cleaned and waxed. It really needs it.

May 23, 2010

Bike Missing - Look Where They Had to Climb
On Our Way to the Dismal Swamp
Placard for the Dismal Swamp
Six Boats Left Elizabeth City to Go Down the Dismal Swamp
Dismal Swamp Canal
Turtles Sunning
At South Mills Lock
Mile Board from South Mills Lock
Stayed at the Welcome Center for State Park
Elizabeth City, North Carolina to Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, Mileage 28 - We woke up this morning to a bike missing. The only bad thing was that they took Danny's and not mine. Looks like it was someone coming from one of the downtown bars. Not a big deal and it would not stop me from staying at Elizabeth City again. It was a sunny morning and the Dismal Swamp was tree lined and not swampy at all. The canal was built to transport wood products from the areas large stands of cedar and juniper. Its use was limited due to being shallow and only flat boats or log rafts could use it. Its design was flawed right from the beginning as in dry times the canal will dry up even today it is closed during low water. When we got to the first lock we were a little early but due to a thunder storm in the area the lock master put us through. Timing is everything because when we got out of the lock, the thunder storm hit. It did stop long enough for us to tie up at the Welcome Center but then started soon after again. We had cocktails aboard our boat and then went to the Karen Anne for dinner.

May 21 - 22, 2010

Sunrise at Alligator Marina
Thousands of Crab Pots
Welcome to Elizabeth City
About the Rose Buddies
Part 2 Rose Buddies
Docks at Elizabeth City - Room for 14 Boats
Sign at the Court House
Alligator River, North Carolina to Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Mileage 79 - A beautiful cruise day, hot, calm and light winds. We crossed Abermarle Sound in dead flat calm. Good thing as there are thousands of crab pot floats in the entire bay which we were constantly dodging. Elizabeth City is very unique, they provide free dockage and if there is more than five new boats the Rose Buddies have a free wine and cheese party in which they give you the lay of the land. It was so nice there that since Danny needed some rest that we stayed another day. It was Saturday so we went to the Farmers Market in the morning and Danny got a hair cut. Other than that we did not do nothing.

May 20, 2010

The Chanel Most of the Way to the Alligator Marina
Fisherman with his Crab Pots
Tug Coming Through the Bridge - On the Other Side is the Alligator Marina
Bel Haven, North Carolina to Alligator River Marina Mileage 84.1 - We had a late start today as Danny had to go to the emergency room at the hospital due to a bad ear infection. How perfect is this a dingy dock at the hospital. We had a clear, warm and sunny day with no wind. The channel was pretty flat with not much to see. We did see a black bear and numerous turtles sunning themselves. We stayed at the marina with Karen Anne and Monk's Vineyard (Gerry and Linda)

May 19, 2010

Dump Trucks Here Dump Oyster Shells
Karen and I at the Lumber Baron's House in Bel Haven at River Forest Inn and Marina
River Marina Inn and Marina - This was a Beautiful House
Oriental, North Carolina to Bel Haven, North Carolina, Mileage 135.5 - We met up with Karen and Roger to head north around 8.00 a.m. Heavy rains and wind in the morning but cleared up nicely in the afternoon. We walked around town and looked at the old homes and the closed up stores. Anything that was open was owned by the O'Neil family. O'Neil Pharmacy, O'Neil Hardware Store, O'Neil Restaurant, O'Neil Bakery. Bel Haven looked prosperous at one time but is looking tired now and appears to have gone down in population. We had dinner with Karen and Roger and ate our last Bahamian lobster.

May 18, 2010

Does This Guy Have Enough Crab Pot Markers
A Summer Home???
Bright Green House Complete with Matching Polka Dot Boat
Red Neck Limo, Oriental
Oriental Fish Market
A Local Dog Running the Streets with an Iroquois Cut
Beaufort, North Carolina to Oriental, North Carolina Mileage 181 - Overcast and raining most of the day with a few sunny breaks. We had a great start, ran a ground in the Gallant Channel crossing over to the Intra Coastal Waterway. Danny was able to power off and turn around and go to the second exit and thankfully the rest of the day was uneventful. We anchored in the harbour, Karen and Roger went to the marina. It was a cutesy little town with lots of history and shops. Very friendly citizens who offer to drive you around the town. True southern hospitality. This was one of the stops for the small cruise ships like American Glory. This one runs from Charleston to Baltimore.

May 16 - 17, 2010

We are Going By Camp Le Jeune - No Shooting Today
Military Amphibian Stuck in the Swamp
A Family Anchored Enjoying the Low Water
Downtown Beaufort, North Carolina
Sailboats Racing
Danny Caught Roger with a Purse - He Say's its Karen but He is a Natural
New River, North Carolina to Beaufort, North Carolina, Mileage 203 - We had another hot and sunny cruising day. Lots of small boat traffic due to weekend. Many more beautiful homes, beaches and scantily clad women. We travelled with Karen Anne. Lots of shallow water and you cannot venture out of the channel. Beaufort is a cute, historic, mariner town made famous for the sinking of "Queen Anns Revenge" which the ship of Blackbeard, William Teach. There is lots of activity at the docks from tourists, spectators, boaters and crew. Lots of bait fish jumping around even on the swim platforms and docks. Roger and Danny went to the maritime museum, Karen and I shopped. We borrowed the marina loaner car and did some grocery shopping and I am sure everyone in town heard us coming. Good enough it got us there and back. We went out for dinner and then walked around checking out the historic homes.

May 15, 2010

Leaving Southport, North Carolina
One of the Many Beaches
People Enjoying the Beach Complete with a FAKE Palm Tree
A Fake Giraffe Decorates a Yard
Pepto Bismal House
Our Dock for the Evening at New River
Southport, North Carolina to New River, North Carolina Mileage 246.9 - Hot, sunny, beautiful cruise day. We travelled with Karen Anne and Jejuda, Jejuda turned off at Carolina Beach. The rest of us carried on. Did I mention that it was Saturday, hot and sunny and everything that floated was on the water. The waterway was very busy and we had to wait for a couple of low bridges. The guys were busy today not watching dolphin but the scantily clad girls. Lots of beautiful homes through out the area and very pretty beaches.

May 14, 2010

A Light House at Myrtle Beach
Tug Boat Towing
Pilot Boat
A Southern Belle in Period Costume with a Baby Raccoon
The Girls Out Shopping - Notice That Judi is the Only One with a Package
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to South Port, North Carolina Mileage 309 - Another hot and sunny cruising day. The scenery is getting better with lots of unique houses and commercial fishing areas. Today we travelled with Karen Anne and Jejuda. We stayed at the Southport Marina and walked around downtown in the afternoon.