Alligator River
10 April 2012 | Alligator River
Sheryl/sunny, winds variable, 60-70 degrees
Alligator River, mile 101?
Wes figured out that we probably could have cut some miles off our trip if we’d been willing to keep going longer on Easter Sunday. We went out the Neuse River into the Pamlico, then into Goose Creek, then back into the Pamlico, to the Pungo River. If we had continued up the Pamlico into the Pungo, we could have skipped Goose Creek. (although Goose Creek was pretty—nice, tree-lined narrow creek, with at least one immature bald eagle, and another unidentified hawk). However, as it was, we didn’t get anchored until 6 p.m. Sunday, and we’d been going since 7 a.m.
Monday, once again, we were up for a 7 a.m. departure. Trying to get someplace where we can get ashore and walk, but it’s not to be had in this area of the ICW. We did land at Dowry Creek Marina, around 11 a.m., but that was way too early to stop for the day. Instead, we took care of essentials, and traded in 5 books for 3 books at their well-stocked library. The marina looks very nice and homey, so we’re sorry to have missed it. We pulled in to the fuel dock just after Grace—and, then, I remembered why the name sounded familiar. We’d been hearing them on the radio for a few days, but couldn’t figure out whether we knew them or not. We met them at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, back in October!! They made it to the Bahamas, but our paths never crossed again until now. Turns out that they knew Nancy Lu, and Sunday’s Child, and also knew the “parrot-man” that Wes met at Key Largo. Small world!!
They were trying to get as far as possible today, like us, so that we could cross Albermarle Sound before wind and waves picked up. So, even though they had a half-hour jump on us, we found them waiting at the same anchorage we had picked for the night. We enjoyed happy hour on Grace, saving them from launching their dinghy, and fighting the waves. Luckily, despite the high winds, we didn’t get too wet or too cold. All 4 of us enjoyed seeing the adult Bald Eagle checking us out. Finally, the winds settled down a bit, so the anchorage wasn’t too bad for the evening, but we did rock more than we have in a while.
We are currently crossing Albermarle Sound, and so far, so good. Just heard from Grace that the winds are picking up, and NOAA is reporting possible thunderstorms. We are planning to make Elizabeth City tonight…
Our lat/long to look us up on Google Earth at Alligator River is: 35°40.410'N 076°03.290'W.
The picture is looking out over a marsh on Bald Head Island.