Day 37 Elizabeth City still

Last night, we ate at a delightful restaurant, Cypress Creek, for dinner.  Had shrimp and oysters wrapped together with bacon for an appetizer - Lordy, that was some good eatin'. Met some fellow travelers and residents on the waterfront and exchanged stories-  a pleasant evening in Elizabeth City. Got up early this morning to leave for the Swamp, but after checking out the radar, we decided to stay put till some stormy weather passed. The lock to the Swamp only opens at certain times and we weren't going to make the opening we wanted, so by noon, we decided to stay one more day in Elizabeth City. Walked around the historic area of town. Met some great people at the Tiki Hut. Had a delicious dinner with 2 of them at the Japanese restaurant. It's fascinating how many people we've met live exclusively on their boats - for years. Later we met a couple of guys from Whales sailing on a ferro - cement boat. Learned a lot from all the boaters we met today.  This is truely a friendly town. The city's hospitality theme started with 2 guys that use to greet visiting boaters with roses and maybe an impromptu party. After they died, the city transplanted their rose plants to the waterfront for everyone to enjoy. Notice our boat's "brown mustache" from the tannins in the River water. Definitely leaving for the Dismal Swamp tomorrow at 7:30am. But now we are leaving with a couple of new friends, Bruce and Jar on Pegasus 2. 

Day 36 Elizabeth City

We are having a great time in Elizabeth City. Yesterday, I had just finished posting our blog when I looked up and a bride-to-be in a wedding dress went flying by the door. She was doing bridal pictures for her upcoming wedding in September. Her aunt asked if they could take pictures on the boat. Of course! The happy couple's names are Carla and Jeff. She climbed on board like an ol' salt sailor maneuvering her beautiful wedding dress with ease.  What a random, awesome surprise! This morning, the Farmer's market was right outside our door, as promised. Also a kitty who Jack did not like being near his boat. Bought some of the most delicious blueberries we have ever tasted and home-made peach ice cream - yum. The folks are friendly - hmmm, maybe we'd like to live here. Had crabcakes that were nothing but tasty crab meat for lunch, then visited the museum in the afternoon - very thorough and full of artifacts. Considering staying another day before heading to the Swamp.

Day 35 Safe in Elizabeth City after the Albemarle Sound pt 2

Made it across Albemarle Sound just before the afternoon storms. We dodged hundreds of crab trap bouys. John says he's definitely having crab cakes tonight.  We passed the TCOM blimp plant where they build blimps for companies like Fugi and Monster.com right near the Coast Guard Base. The base is the largest and most diverse command center in the nation. The blimp building is massive. As we were pulling into our free anchorage at the city docks called Mariner's Wharf, also known as the "Harbor of Hospitality", the radio announced a waterspout in the Sound. Whew! We were met on the dock by Gus and a friend who made our tie up a breeze. We talked to Gus for a good long time learning the hot spots of Elizabeth City. Gus is an amazing character, who has lived here for over 50 years. His family was one of the first to develop the Outer Banks and he even sold Andy Griffith the  land where he built his home - they were friends until his death. First stop, was a bookstore where we found more needed guide books, then we explored the city after a cooling rain. Some guy had a baby monkey on the docks that took a liking to John. He about crawled down his shirt - the owner had to pry him off of John after he started chewing on his shirt collar and wrapped himself around his arm.  It was quite a comical site...for me anyway. They have some interesting art centers and lots of restaurants - typical small town America. There's a Saturday morning market right next to our boat dockage tomorrow. Yippee - local fresh veggies and fruit. Then we are going to the Albemarle Museum which is huge, state museum and it's FREE. What is it with this town?!! More storms tonight and tomorrow so we are glad we are tied to a non-moveable dock. We are staying for a couple days - it's free for crying out loud!! 

Day 35 Albemarle Sound pt 1

What a night! Got a few texts, voicemails and comments asking what happened and were we alright. We were and are, but last night was a bit hairy. We didn't have cell service or internet so we did not see a large thunderstorm coming our way. The sky was like 4th of July fireworks. Boat radar did not paint a clear picture until it hit. When we anchored earlier, I suggested  an open area of Little Alligator River, which was not the best location. Our anchor held and we suffered no damage -  only to my nerves (we were actually surprised we had a bimini this morning). John was a rock. Me? Not so much. Beautiful cool weather this morning so we are crossing the sound. It's a bit rough for Jack - he had some tummy track problems but is resting now. Heading for a free dockage in Elizabeth City and we are staying put for a couple days before entering the Dismal Swamp area. More later....

Day 34 Alligator River (intermittent internet Fri am)

Couldn't get internet last night or today, so blogs will come in bulk when we get close to Elizabeth City tomorrow.  Even tried roaming networking and there ain't nothin' out here. Crossed the Pamlico River, which more resembles a large bay, early this morning. Was amazed when I saw a very small sailboat, maybe 14', that we have seen off and on since Fernandino Beach, Fl. It looks like a canoe with a couple sails and a pontoon attached with supplies. Two guys are on it and they must be sailing day and night- we get ahead of them and then a week later we pass them again. I tried hailing them on the radio, but they must not have one. We will have to keep an eye out for them again and get a picture. Would love to talk to the adventurous twosome to find out what they are trying to accomplish. After the Pamlico, we entered  the Alligator River - Pungo River Canal or maybe it's the "not quite so dismal swamp". It took us about 40 miles away from the Outer Banks and was 20 miles long. The River goes on f-o-r-e-v-e-r. Houses pop up ever so often or a million dollar bridge with no cars crossing it. (NC must have some savvy representatives in Congress). There's all kinds of foliage (blocking the air movement) - pine, cypress, juniper, maybe elms, trees covered in vines. I think it's safe to say we will not run out of pilings or telephone poles for awhile. Then on the bank, I spied the tiniest spotted fawn. It was maybe 18" high - not as tall as Brandi's Kayo. Freaking unreal! You'll have to look close in the second picture. It's in the dead center under the foliage right above the river waterline. When we popped out into the open mouth of the River, the landscape looked prehistoric. There was not a sign of civilization in site...anywhere. I was honestly looking for dinosaurs when out of nowhere, 2 jet fighters started buzzing us. They were loud. Remember the scene from Top Gun where Tom buzzes the Control Tower? Well, we were the guy with the coffee. Since this place lacks any sort of development, John thought this might be their practice area. Did an extra long day of 72 miles to Little Alligator Inlet/River. Tomorrow will be a shorter day crossing the Albemarle Sound to the city docks of Elizabeth City...and internet.

Day 33 Beaufort Inlet and beyond (delayed for lack of internet)

I have to acknowledge the showers at the marina in Spooner's Creek. If you have ever been on a boat or RV for awhile or lived in an apartment in VI, you can relate. This is the first "land shower" I've had in over a month. Ecstasy! A strong stream of hot water and a bench  in a clean, new, large shower stall - I  wanted to live there for the evening. Jack must have had the same desire, because he wanted out and on land all night. John would take him for a walk and all the way back to the boat, he would have to carry him hissing and growling. Never seen him act like that before. Today he's back to normal sprawled out on the galley floor. Decided to forego Beaufort (pronounced Bo-fort with a long O as opposed to SC's town, spelled the same, which is pronounced Bu-fort with a long U and the residents WILL correct you) after researching the city more and boated past Morehead, which is a busy port like Tampa. Looks like they are shipping phosphate - tons of barges. Cruised the Neuse River most of the day. It's between the Outer Banks and the mainland - a very large body of water, but the tide was with us and we had good weather. There were lots of shrimpers with their nets out. Not sure how much they were catching, but they were attracting a lot of birds.  As we approached our anchorage,  the landscape changed again. The trees are tall, skinny pine trees, but different from ours in Florida. We are again in the middle of nowhere . . . or Campbell Creek. Stopped somewhat early, took a nap during the hot time of the day then did some small jobs. After watching one of the most beautiful sunsets so far, we took some time to research our trips through the Dismal Swamp then the Chesapeake.

Day 32 Onward to Beaufort

There was a lot to see in the morning. We passed 2 small precious deer on the ocean side of the ICW. Then we were buzzed for about an hour by 4 big V-22 Ospeys (aircrafts not birds) doing maneuvers with 2 helicopters observing. Signs were a bit ominous like "Danger - live unexploded ordnance" and "Do not enter - Live firing". I do not want to live here, but John does. It IS beautiful, just a little too unpredictable for me.  I guess you have to have a sense of humor to reside in this area. The blue trimmed house had a smile on the back wall along with multi-colored dock pilings. Some bombing practice was going to take place 12 miles out and the radio was warning boaters to stay away. No need to tell us twice! Found a house we could afford in Swanboro. I think it's having an Open House on Sunday- hope we can make it back. Crossed a calm bay between the outer banks and the inner banks to Spooner's Creek.  Fueled up and spending the night in a pristine, small marina. Walked a mile to Walmart for supplies - so much more than marina stores! I have never appreciated Walmart more. As we were putting groceries away and discussing plans of whether to go through the Dismal Swamp, we ignored Jack for a minute. When we looked for him, discovered that he had jumped ship. Found him strolling down the dock heading to the condos. He has been cantankerous ever since his plot to find grass was thwarted. Passing Beaufort Inlet and a port in Morehead tomorrow heading north and inland toward our anchorage.