Four North Carolina Ports

 

 "At the dawn's early light", we continued our journey from Southport, N.C.

Four days of severe winds had delayed our departure.  To make up lost time, we had loooong travel days.

 

 

 

 

 For the next several days, we traveled up the North Carolina coast in "packs" with boats whose names we became quite familiar with: Allegretta, Our Time, Gratitude, Reckless, Elizabeth, Ceasar's Ghost, Gatsby, Travellers, Holiday, Debris, Katy Ann. 

 

 

 

 

 After 12 hours of cruising, 4 bridge openings, and 1 fuel stop, we arrived in Swansboro.

 

 

 

 

 

 This green heron must have had a long day too, as he was too tired to move as I snapped pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 Docktails on the flybridge at sunset, a satisfying meal, and a hot shower ensured a good night's rest.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the few commercial tugs we've seen in North Carolina.

These granite boulders were HUGE!  Guess those granite kitchen countertops have to come from somewhere! 

 

 

 

 

 Oriental's "claim to fame".  The expansive Pamlico Sound provides wide-open space and wind for the sailor's delight!

 

 

 

 

 Spiritus cozies up to a "copy-cat" trawler in Oriental, a Monk 36 named Elizabeth.

 

 

 

 

 

 The Oriental Marina & Inn was quite nice.  Adirondack chairs on the lawn beside the boat dock, a swimming pool, Tiki Bar, and an excellent restaurant. 

 

 

 

 

I think the Mary Kay company is giving their top sellers a choice between a car or a boat!

 

 

 

 

 

The First Mate takes her turn at the wheel as we cruise up Pamlico Sound.

 

 

 

 

 "Big" is a relative term, but when you can't see land behind you or in front of you, that's big!

How big is Pamlico Sound?

 It is the second largest estuary after the Chesapeake Bay and can be one of the roughest bodies of water on the entire ICW.  It deserves the utmost respect.

 

 

 

 

 

 Another charming little marina, this one in Belhaven, N.C.

 

 

 

 

 A most unique collection of "stuff" can be seen at the Belhaven Memorial Museum.

This corn sheller and wooden ice cream churn reminded Linda of her Iowa roots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Eva Way, the lady who collected all this "stuff" and started the museum, gave all proceeds to the American Red Cross.  This is a sample of the 30,000 buttons of various colors and shapes that she collected.

 

 

 

 

 

On Thursday nights in Belhaven, the place to be seen in is Georgie's Sports & Oyster Bar!

Our new-found local friends, Dave & Beth, owner's of Elizabeth, were part of the "pack" we cruised with since leaving Southport.

 

 

 

 

  

"Everybody's doing a brand new dance now, come on baby, do the locomotion....."

Belhaven was the hometown of the 60's singing sensation, Little Eva. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Captain Eddy on the flybridge, listening to his I-pod, singing (if you can call it that), and dancing to the music while guiding Spiritus up the waterway.

(I wonder if he did this when he was flying, too!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Elizabeth City really values boaters and goes out of its way to welcome them.

On a Sunday afternoon in 1983, Fred Fearing & Joe Kramer decided to host a gathering for the mariners.  Joe clipped his own rosebuds to give to the First Mates, while Fred supplied the refreshments.  That first reception welcomed 17 boats & their crews.  The "Rose Buddies" tradition in the Harbor of Hospitality was born and spread by word of mouth up and down the ICW and beyond.

When Joe died in 1987, his rosebushes were transplanted to Mariner's Wharf Park.  They continue to provide blooms for visitors and color for the "locals" who stop by the docks. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Loopers gather at Thumper's restaurant in Elizabeth City.

Guess who the only two non-Canadians are!

 

 

 

 

 

 Spiritus has a primo spot along the bulkhead at Mariner's Wharf Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 Captain Eddy takes his morning's first cup of coffee with him to do a little reading.

 

 

 

 

The sun rises over the Pasquotank River in Elizabeth City.

Soon we will be headed "up river" to be amazed!