Elizabeth City to Morehead City, NC, October 3 - 9, 2014,

October 3 - 9, 2014

Bridal group on the Elizabeth City Mariners Wharf

Elizabeth City bride

Elizabeth City is located on the Pasquotank River, eighteen miles south of the Dismal Swamp canal and within easy access to Albemarle Sound. The area has a reputation for welcoming cruising boaters which starts with a free 48-hour dockage at the town dock. We arrived in the waterway by Mariners Wharf (town docks) in Elizabeth City, NC shortly after 5 p.m. at which time

All politics is local!

All politics is local!

Captain Clay's call to abort the docking abruptly changed when he sensed the stiff winds and forceful waves favoring our movement into the slip. He caught me off guard, but I recovered quickly and got lines lassoed and snugged hastily and successfully. I was rewarded with dinner at Groupers dockside, but even more richly rewarded when I spied Rock, Paper and Scissors, a full-meal-deal salon located across the corridor from the restaurant. Currently with both a labor-intensive hair length and a painful back muscle, I decided Saturday would be a spa day for me.

Mariners Wharf, along the waterfront known as the 'Harbor of Hospitality' in historic downtown Elizabeth City, is popular with boaters because of its location coupled with its free dock slips. Unfortunately, electric and water sources are unavailable. This latter condition caught us in an unexpected early Saturday morning rain shower with our boat windows open. My ears heard the pitter patter; Clay's...hmmm...not so much. Said situation with my hasty movement to shut all windows left me with a second pulled back muscle. Oh, that massage will be well worth the cost.

The Rose Buddies monument

Elizabeth City C. G. Facility

C G Blimp hanger???

Thus, following our morning walk and breakfast, Sally had a 'gals' day,' and Clay had a 'guys' day.' Ideal for all parties involved! And, I came away with shorter, brighter hair; relaxed muscles and a brand new attitude! I don't know what Clay's benefit was, but I'm sure there were perks to spending the day with fellas discussing boats and whatever else fellas discuss. A high-five to October 4th in Elizabeth City, NC! Additional highlights were Sus and Alan successfully completing their trip to Italy and landing safely on American soil; John's call to tell us his name was drawn from a pool of United Way contributors, winning a week's stay in Seaside, FL; and our delicious dinner of homemade crabcakes and corn on the cob! That Clay has some good chef tricks up his sleeve (or is it just that he's willing to experiment?); not saying he's doing the cooking these days, but he is willing to help...and of course, make suggestions as to how I should do it!

Our departure Sunday from Mariners Wharf was time-stamped 11:59 a.m. after our morning walk, a frustrating interlude with the internet, and a shower at the city restroom complex for $5, unlimited! We bid adieu to this warm and welcoming community without having been welcomed 'properly' by the 'Rose Buddies,' a 25-year-old volunteer organization who host a free wine-and-cheese party on Grouper's waterside deck and clip roses from the wharf's bushes as a welcome gift. Darn! Maybe on our return visit.

Following departure, we crossed the Albermarle Sound without drama, then anchored at Deep Point North on the Alligator River, again without drama. Clay prepped for a cold night, digging through hidey-holes to uncover the sleeping bag to be used as an extra blanket layer.

Pugno/Alligator waterway

Retrieving the Anchor

We pulled anchor Monday morning and continued our journey down the Alligator River along with a flurry of other boats. Our parade of boats continued on the canal linking the Alligator River with the Pungo River. At the 90-degree curve in the river bearing SE, we chose to detour onto Pantego Creek to dock overnight at the Belhaven Waterway Marina. Belhaven, aptly named 'beautiful harbor' is eight miles upstream of the Pamlico Sound and a busy spot for boaters choosing to travel the protected waters of the ICW and avoid the more exposed waters of the Pamlico Sound. Having much of the afternoon available to us,

Home on Cedar Creek just off the Neuse River

Clay and I both found ourselves in project mode; after my token one laundry load and shower, I witnessed bull-in-china-closet Clay tackling far too many projects at once to do any one well; so I ran away. Envision Sally running away...well, wandering through the wooded streets of this 2000-population village connected via cell phone to my understanding female friend to ease the frustration of too-much togetherness. Thanks, Jules, for listening! A further escape with an hour nap upon my return to the boat (this frustration is both stressful and tiring), I rallied for dinner at the only open-on-Monday restaurant, a farm to table establishment called Spoon River Artworks & Market. I've figured out that anyone can cook and serve 'gourmet' by centering and layering first carb, then veggie, then protein with a drizzle of sauce and present it with a flair! Voila! Done deal! Bon appetit! A good night to all, and to all, a good night!

Dragonfly from Park City UT

As Clay arose to meet and greet our marina companions Tuesday morning, he found to his amazement a mutual acquaintance with the boaters aboard Dragonfly (David and Susan), docked to our bow. I'm sure their stated home port of Park City, Utah piqued Clay's curiosity to afford the introductions! You meet the nicest people on the waterway!

River Forest Manor Marina Office

After a hearty breakfast at the Gingerbread Bakery following our morning walk, a bath for a load of clothes and a shower for moi, we bid Belhaven adieu and set sail down the Pungo River, across the Neuse River and secured our anchor in Cedar Creek shortly after 5 p.m. to enjoy the remaining daylight hours which are becoming less and less as days shorten into the fall and winter seasons.

Sunset in Cedar Creek Anchorage

Clay's plan to cruise to the southernmost point of the Outer Banks (Cape Lookout) for Wednesday night's anchorage was foiled as wind speed increased as did the chop on the waterway upon our awakening Wednesday morning. We're always

Moonrise in Cedar Cr off the Neuse R.

prepared for Plan B which targeted Morehead City as substitute. Fair game. We were entertained by dolphins along our route, first appearance of the spirited creatures on our trek south; I do believe Clay was as excited to see them as they were to see us! 

Corps boat at Morehead City

Corps boat at Morehead City

Arriving shortly after noon at the one interior harbor marina (made our choice in marinas easy) for protection, we secured our lines at Morehead City Yacht Basin, then put in a request for a 3 p.m. courtesy car for a WMT provisioning run. We had an extensive list of needs that included most everything from soup to nuts; thus, Wal-Mart was the destination of choice, requiring every bit of the two-hour time limit. We dined at nearby Ruddy Duck after perusing online menus of restaurant choices in the area, of which there were numerous. A full container of leftovers made dining that much more delightful...added a bit of cost-effectiveness, too!

More wind and current greeted us Thursday morning, both forces to be reckoned with as we powered up to push off from the marina's face dock, bound for Swansboro, NC and the experiences that awaited us there.

More forthcoming as we arrive at Dudley's Marina, Swansboro, NC.

Cedar Creek Anchorage off the Neuse River