From Seventies to Forties-Temps that is!

We continued on to Elizabeth City through the bright green duck grass that made the Dismal Swamp like one giant modern art canvass. Luckily it wasn't too bad because it has been known to clog filters and cause some problems.

Duck grass in the Dismal Swamp

We tied up at the wall in Elizabeth City across from the Albermarle Museum. The other boats who were with us at the Visitor's Center were able to get free slips. We were welcomed by the greeters known as Rose Buddies. They tend to be retired people who like to meet the boaters. This time however, we were greeted by a guy with a monkey on his shoulder. (Never a dull moment!)

An unusual Rose Buddy!  Yes, that is a diaper!

We have been here at least four times but it was the first time that they had a Rose Buddy Gathering at 4:30pm with wine and cheese. (If there are not many new boats or the weather is lousy, they don't have them.) 

Wine, beer and cheese and crackers for the cruisers

Susan and the former mayor.

 The tourism lady, Susan, greeted us and the former mayor told us all about their fine city, stressing the free docks and free museum that they have. Each lady was given a rose which has been the tradition since 1983.

Since the cruisers were all gathered together, ten of us decided to go to dinner at Groupers which was at the dock where we had gathered. It was a delicious and a good valued meal.

We left the next day and motored across the Albermarle Sound. We have never seen it so calm. 

The calm Albermarle Sound and one of numerous crab floats.

 It was somewhat boring counting the crab pots as I went. Al wasn't quite so bored because he was checking out why there was oil stains on our blanket which was at the point of the v-berth. He discovered that the windlass which was just repaired before we left was leaking oil, so he had his work cut out cleaning up and diagnosing the problem.

We motored the entire trip to the outside of the Alligator/Pungo Canal. The anchorage which we have designated as one of the ugliest, with its tall dead trees and scrub.

He is just paddling away.

One interesting boat went by, this fellow pedaling a sailing boat. Where he came from, we have no idea because we are out in the middle of no where, but he did give some bright color to a rather dull anchorage.

However it isn't all ugly, the next morning's sunrise gave us a beautiful sight as seen here.

Entering the long straight canal is always interesting because one side is in the shade and the other in the sunlight. You get foggy mist rising on the shady side with bright morning light highlighting the greenery and fall colors on the other. It actually is pretty.

The misty foggy side of the canal.

The sunny side!

We traveled on through the canal and to the small town of Bellhaven. Arriving early enough to put the dinghy in and go ashore to stretch our legs. I always enjoy the walk along the shore road with the wonderful southern homes.

Neat homes in Bellhaven.

Al raising the sail.

The next day we actually got to sail some!  It had been eleven days since we sailed.  Our friends on CAVU captured us sailing by them and emailed us the photo.

Blue Heaven finally with all sails up. 

We anchored in Broad Creek a pretty creek north of Oriental, NC. We enjoyed the peace and quite but were up early the next morning to enter River Dunes Marina by 9am. We learned you get full day use of the marina that way instead of pulling in late in the afternoon. This is one of the prettiest marinas around.

View from the Porch of Marina

 Several people we knew or had met earlier were here. I got some laundry done (the blanket with the oil!) and in the afternoon we had use of the courtesy car. We went with Ron and Maryann Smith from CAVU who had once been in our marina in Rock Hall and the couple, Margaret and Bob on Beyond the Sea who were next to us in Hampton, into Oriental for the Old Front Porch Music Festival. 

Bob Jones strumming and singing.

Part of our group enjoying the steel drummer.

We enjoyed his music the best!

Through out town various people or groups played their music on front porches as well as some arts and crafts and an auto show from old to new. We got a taste of the islands from a steel drummer and folksy music from several others. It was very pleasant and the weather fantastic.  A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

That evening the same three couple enjoyed a delicious meal together at River Dunes.

Sunday dawned and it was a day for some more chores. More laundry and food shopping. The courtesy car is a real plus for doing it. Many more boats came in and another two couples we know pulled in. Hayden and Raydeen on Island Spirit from our marina and full time live aboards, Bert and Prue on Exhuberant .

Later we caught up on all that happened last year in the cruising community with Bert and Prue over drinks. Being live aboards they don't miss much!

We timed getting to the marina quite well because it was in the low forties the other night and 38 last night. The heater was certainly welcomed. We had been in shorts for most of the trip with temps in the seventies and now the long pants, socks and fleece are out.The temps are to be increasing for the next couple days so we will be heading out but Al hasn't made up his mind where we are going tomorrow. He says “Later Arleen, I make the decision later.” So later it is!