Trip Day:              57            Latitude:              36°20.60' N                           Locks Today:    0

Miles Today:         7      Longitude:      076°13.36' W                      Locks Total:      6

Total Miles:        1,223       Location:     Pasquotank River / Anchored at Goat Island

Underway again, with time to kill, so today was slow and lazy up the winding Pasquotank River which is lined by a variety of trees including Cypress.  The land on each side of the river seems more like swamp forest with no solid ground.

Such an early anchorage called for an exploration trek in the  dinghy this afternoon.  We came upon this sign posted to a cypress tree on Goat Island with a landing dock.  A raised wooden walkway lead to two connected camping platforms approximately 16x20 with cleats around the perimeter for anchoring tents.  At the end of one section there was an enclosure which we assumed could be used for a port-a-potty and a sun shower.  The swampy area would not allow for hiking, but one could certainly camp, fish and boat, canoe or kayak the river.  Great concept!

Google Map our position by clicking on Location address in the footer below.

LAST DAY IN ELIZABETH CITY

Trip Day:                56           Latitude:              36°17.90' N                       Locks Today:    0

Miles Today:       0         Longitude:      076°13.11' W                  Locks Total:      6

Total Miles:    1,216       Location:      Elizabeth City, NC  /  Pelican Marina

We took this photo as we first approached Elizabeth City, then had to do some research to figure out the purpose of this huge structure.

Elizabeth City has a long history with Blimps / Airships.  In 1942 the Air Dock was built and airships escorted Navy ships and performed search and rescue missions from 1942-44.   Airships also patrolled for submarines through 1957.

Beginning in the mid 1980s the US Coast Guard deployed TCOM   sea-based aerostats  to assist in the war against drug traffickers in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

 Today TCOM aerostat systems are part of air defense in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Israel and India 2008 TCOM .

Tomorrow we will head north in the Pasquotank River toward the Dismal Swamp.  The temperatures have been in the fifties the last three days, but the cloudy skies are supposed to give way to sunny, warm weather, which we will welcome.

OUTER BANKS IN FLIGHT

Saturday - April 28th

What a nice treat - our niece, Kristy Lambe, visited from Southern Pines, NC for the day!

Ron, Kristy, Winston and Benson the Lab

Back to the Outer Banks to visit Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Kill Devil Hills which is a 400 acre park.  We climbed the largest natural, living sand dune on the East Coast which is a popular spot for hang gliders.

Wilbur and Orville Wright made history with the first powered flight on  December 17, 1903.  They chose Kitty Hawk for isolation, high dunes, strong winds and soft ground for landings.  They used the dunes for the early glider flights but the powered flight was on level ground.  The museum did a nice job of showing the timeline, drawings, tools, wind tunnel and living quarters used by the Wright Brothers as they made history.   Orville Wright (1871-1948) lived long enough to see the sound barrier broken.

Kristy and Winston set up camp at North River Campgrounds - the boat was not in Benson's comfort zone - but they joined us for dinner at Grouper's to complete the day. 

OUTER BANKS NC

Trip Day:                54           Latitude:           36°17.90' N                         Locks Today:    0

Miles Today:        0        Longitude:      076°13.11' W                  Locks Total:      6

Total Miles:    1,216       Location:     Elizabeth City, NC  /  Pelican Marina

 Early this morning we moved the boat to Pelican Marina to respect the 48 hour free city docks rule.                                                                   

The Outer Banks gave us a great day!   We drove south to Hatteras then took the ferry to Ocracoke Island.  Plan A was to visit the Outer Banks on our boat, but the rough seas caused us to implement plan B - a rental car.

Ocracoke Island Light Station (1823) was interesting and the Atlantic shore was beautiful and certainly different from Siesta Beach! 

It's biker week at the Outer Banks and this club adopted Ron - he thinks he wll fit right in and expects me to show a little respect.



The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick beacon in the world at 210ft.  In 1999 it was moved intact one-half mile inland to save it from beach erosion.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse (1870)

 Ron looking down from the lighthouse and Jean looking up

Stairs of lighthouse and view from the top.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

Didn't have time for Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hill, so to be continued.  .  .


(Map us by clicking on Location address in the footer below)

OUTER BANKS, NC

A very special little girl, Addisyn, is celebrating her seventh birthday today.  .  . Happy Birthday Addi!!!

This is the sky that greets us this morning, but we are on our way to the Outer Banks in high hopes of a more favorable sky later in the day. 

ELIZABETH CITY - Harbor of Hospitality

Trip Day:            52          Latitude:           36°17.90' N                           Locks Today:    0

Miles Today:      33          Longitude:      076°13.11' W                        Locks Total:      6

Total Miles:    1,216         Location:      Elizabeth City, NC  /  Free City Docks

We crossed Albemarle Sound this morning with all sails  flying.  The seas were rough after three days of strong winds making for a bumpy ride, but we safely crossed the sound due north into the Pasquotank River.   This sign says it all as we approached the  waterfront of Elizabeth City which is reported to be the most boat friendly city in the area.  The Farm Fresh Market offers free pick-up and return for convenient shopping. 

 First visited in 1585 by the English who lived on   Roanoke Island, and settled in 1793 the town was originally called Redding.  In 1794, it was renamed Elizabeth Town.  Elizabeth City was a major port in the mid-1700s and then with the completion of the Dismal Swamp in 1805 goods could be shipped to Norfolk through the canal.  More on the  Dismal Swamp in a few days!

First order of business was a visit to the Museum of the Albemarle directly across from the wharf.  The Carolinians take their history seriously and have done an amazing job of collecting photographs and artifacts, then developing unique methods of displaying items and timelines that make the visitor feel a part of the history.  This museum had disassembled a rural home from the 1800s and reconstructed it inside the museum.  If anyone out there is a Civil War   History buff, this area is a must see!

We now have eight neighboring boats at the city docks so we are off to meet new friends then find a local restaurant for seafood.  A walking tour of the historic district is on our agenda for tomorrow before we head for the Outer Banks.

Don't forget .  .  .  Click on Location: Elizabeth City Docks in the footer below:

BAD NEWS . . . GOOD NEWS

BAD NEWS:
We are still docked at Alligator Creek Marina waiting out the Spring Nor'easter. Yesterday it rained most of the day and the winds were fierce. Five trawlers and two sailboats pulled into the marina to get out of the weather.

 Last night the lows were in the 40s here with snow inland at higher elevations.  We were going to leave this morning, but the late weather forecast had changed - predicting winds 20-25kts again today with small craft warnings. 

We need a 4-hour weather window to cross Albermarle Sound to Elizabeth City.  Tomorrow the winds will be slightly lighter, sunny and seas calmer - we are crossing!!!!

We have been looking at these skies for THREE days!

GOOD NEWS:
New feature to the blog .  .  . I have been trying to embed a Google Location map into the sidebar, which was easy, but it kept spoting our location in Kansas. 

So, in the white Footer Bar, if you click on the address following the Location: tab, it will bring up Google Earth map showing our exact location. 

Try it, you'll like it!

LAZY RAINY DAY!

Trip Day:             49         Latitude:            35°54.35' N                         Locks Today:    0

Miles Today:        0        Longitude:      076°01.79' W                        Locks Total:      6

Total Miles:    1,183       Location:      Alligator River  /  Alligator River Marina 

Weather day for us .  .  . Still docked at Alligator River Marina in North Carolina.  Rained all day with a cold front approaching and more nasty weather predicted for tomorrow with temps in the 40s tonight.  We need good weather to cross the Albermarle Sound, so we are delayed until further notice.

The best part of our day was being Skyped by Addisyn, Cash and Maren this evening  -  thanks guys!

            HAPPY EARTH DAY!

WILDLIFE ON THE ALLIGATOR RIVER, NC

Trip Day:             48            Latitude:            35°54.35' N                         Locks Today:    0

Miles Today:      48          Longitude:      076°01.79' W                        Locks Total:      6

Total Miles:    1,183         Location:      Alligator River  /  Alligator River Marina 

The fog was thick and delayed our departure, but it was also beautiful. We headed north in a man-made cut that connects the Pungo River and the Alligator River.  The cut was narrow and deep, and gave us the best day of wildlife we have experienced.

 

4:00 We are docked at the Alligator River Marina due to severe weather predictions for tonight and tomorrow.  Sounds like Netflix movie and popcorn tonight!

UNDERWAY AGAIN - DAY 47

Trip Day:              47       Latitude:            35°32.73' N                        Locks Today:    0

Miles Today:      41         Longitude:     076°32.00' W                        Locks Total:      6

Total Miles:    1,135        Location:       Pungo River  /  Upper Dowry Creek Anchorage

Yesterday was a non eventful, overcast day with cool temperatures and wet from the evening rains.  We used it as a work day; Ron scrubbed the decks, Jean used the marina courtesy car to make a run to the  grocery and West Marine, then did laundry.  

We awakened this morning to a heavy fog which   delayed our planned early start.

We had to wait for the train to cross the railroad bridge before it could open for us.  Just an engine and one car, but it   required a 30 minute wait for us

We headed due east this morning on the Pamlico River to get back on the ICW to continue our journey.  The Pamlico is 3  miles wide and the distance across to the Outer Banks is almost 30 miles , which means you only see horizon.  The early explorers must have been the adrenaline junkies of their day.  Those who first charted these waters, without GPS or aerial views, certainly have our respect. 

Our anchorage in a little creek off the Pungo River and Ron trying to fish on the table for dinner. 

WASHINGTON - A PLEASANT SURPRISE!

Trip Day:              45       Latitude:            35°32.44' N                        Locks Today:    0

Miles Today:        0        Longitude:     077°03.36' W                        Locks Total:     6

Total Miles:    1,094       Location:       Washington, NC  / City Docks (free)         

We strolled along the waterfront last night and captured the evening flavor of the riverwalk.  It seems that most of the residents of the historic district of Washington come to the riverfront to walk or jog and most greet us when they pass.

Early, very early, this morning we took a ride in the dinghy, before there was any river   traffic.  The locals call this The Castle        Island where ships would offload their ballast stones before docking at Havens Wharf to fill their holds with local goods before sailing back to Europe. 

Washington has been a wonderful little town to explore with 40 city blocks of homes   dating to the mid-1800s.  These old homes, just like in Charleston and Savannah, are well  documented as to the original family and architect who built the home.  It must be amazing to live in a 200 year old home that you can trace back to the original owner!  Several of the largest homes are now Bed and Breakfast establishments. 

 

The Myers House is the oldest structure in Washington (1780), having survived the Union burning the Wharf 1864 to keep stores of goods out of the hands of the   Confederates.  The fire rapidly spread to consume most of the city.  

Elmwood—1820— was featured in an 1857 edition of Harper’s Weekly Magazine.

Cecil B. DeMille was born in Washington and The DeMilles Building, on Market Street, has served as Town Hall and the Fire Station.