We missed seeing an Alligator, but passed on the opportunity to dine on Alligator bites (alligator tail - deep fried! - We are definitely in the south). We joined boats pulling out of Elizabeth City around 7:00 AM the next morning. The procession of boats looked like a beaded string of pearls with us being in the middle. Everyone had at least their jib up and were all on the same heading. We definitely have joined the "snow birds". We were told and have read that the Albemarle Sound can be a treacherous trip. It is much like Lake Erie - shallow waters that quickly kick up if the wind is strong or coming from the wrong direction. However, this did not hold true for us and we had a lovely crossing to Alligator River Marina which is just before the Alligator Bridge. It is a marina and a truck stop. It has a truck stop diner and Dianne the lady who works the counter at the stop shared photos with us of an 8 foot long 'gator' that had been in the marina, as well as photos of a black bear that was previously on the property across from where our boat was docked. Amazingly, we actually got to meet the crew of the "smart people boat" that led the way out of Tidewater Marina in Portsmouth. We shared a lovely evening with wine and cheese with Dick and Marge from the sailboat Alize'. They quickly became our boat buddies as we traveled to our next stop.