Elizabeth City, NC

Tonight we are tied up to the free city docks in the friendliest hospitality harbor in America.  The tourism board greets boaters and hosts a meet and greet every evening, providing important info to boaters, and making them aware of the boat friendly important tips (like the phone number of a grocery store that will pick you up and take you to their store!)  All of the people we met were friendly, and it seems like a great little town.



MERCY, IZZY R, and Manta 42 Cat



This morning began with us pulling away from the boat raft at the Great Dismal Swamp Visitor’s dock, and allowing all but three vessels to leave.  The three vessels who remained all visited the visitor’s center, walked the boardwalks, and enjoyed a leisurely cruise down the canal an hour and a half behind the mad rush.

After we locked out of the Great Dismal Swamp at the South Mills Lock, we cruised down the Pasquotank River, a natural cypress lined curvy waterway.  It looked a lot like some of the rivers in Northern Florida, with turtles out sunning on the logs, and a swampy backdrop.

IZZY R astern in the Pasquotank

After the river widened out, Rudy and I anchored behind Goat Island and launched the inflatable to explore a little bit, and enjoyed a closer view of the cypress swamp.  We went up a creek a little ways, and found ourselves in a subdivision.  Uh, oh well, we went a little too far south to explore!

We came under the Elizabeth City, NC bridge a little before 4:00, at which time they shut down for two hours. 

Tonight we went to dinner at the Cypress Creek Grill and celebrated Jeff's birthday with his wife Izzy (from the IZZY R) and with other new friends Peter and Maggy (from the Australian Manta 42).  There were many sea stories and laughes all around and a good time was had by all.

We hope to beat the weather across the Albemarle Sound tomorrow, before the wind picks up.