Day 5

November 11, 2014

Elizabeth City 6:30AM Winds 0-5 NE 58 degrees, spitting rain.

Left EC headed south down beautiful Pasquotank River. Zero traffic – we were the first to leave. At 36-15.3N 76 07.7W we were treated to a remarkable site on the south shore of the Pasquotank – a tethered blimp hanging 50-60 feet in the air beside its very, very large hanger. Not a clue about that, but quite a sight.

At 9:00AM we arrived at the entrance of the Pasquotank River where we made our offing southward to cross Albemarle Sound. About half way across we entered a dense fog bank. Now I am really glad we invested in a new radar unit. The fog was super thick. Visibility down to 0.5 NM. We reduced speed a little and proceeded with caution. On the other side of the Sound we had to enter the Alligator River through a very narrow passage with shoal water on either side – thread the needle so to speak. Thank God and pass the potatoes for GPS. On the way down, my bundled-up mate got treated to her morning gruel.

 

 

To make matters more interesting, not far from the narrows is the Alligator River swing bridge – open on demand - where you call the bridge master and request permission to pass. Of course we are seasoned veterans now, having done similar bridges farther upstream – but fog changes the game. We did not even see the bridge until we were pretty much on it. But with Captain Emily at the helm and me reading the GPS we negotiated the passage like pros and waved at the bridge master as we went through.

We proceeded south down the Alligator River to our anchorage just north of the entrance of the Alligator River – Pungo River Canal – our way south to Belhaven, NC – passing through a stunning, undeveloped coastal wetland ecosystem shrouded in light fog.

 

 

4:30Pm. At our anchorage with two other boats – with whom we spoke on the way down. Nice people. Very remote site – surrounded by national wildlife refuges, preserves, lots of salt water march and maritime forest. Two bald eagles sitting on separate high perches next door overlooking their kingdoms. Winds 5 knots. 70 degrees. Zero cars, trucks, 4-wheelers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, sirens, table saws, routers, drills, table saws. This common cormorant greeted us at our anchorage. 

8:00PM. Dense fog. Water dripping off Flicka’s rigging. Dark, very dark, and very, very quiet. We are floating on the dark.

Today we covered 50 very fine miles of the ICW. Tomorrow – headed down the Alligator River – Pungo River Canal and on to Belhaven, NC for a visit with Paul Rogers, an old friend in Greenville, NC.

Namaste

Steve and Emily