Mon. May 12    0810/1540  

57 miles       Hobucken, NC to Alligator River, NC

In the morning we woke to fog. Fog so thick you could barely see the opposite bank 200 yards away. By the time the seafood dock opened and we bought some shrimp the fog had lifted and we were on our way.

 

Today’s cruise took us through another large river (Pungo) and a 21 mile man made canal between the Pungo River and the Alligator River.

 

 

 When the canal first opened, salt water mixed with the surrounding marshes.

The Cyprus trees couldn't take all the salt and died.

 

The winds were very light today so we anchored in a wide open stretch on the Alligator River a way from any civilization. After anchoring we were treated by a show from the air force doing maneuvers with 3 jets right over us. Later in the evening the moon came out and so did the cicadas. (they were almost as noisy as the jets) It was beautiful sitting out in the moonlight looking at a sky filled with stars and no other lights in sight.

Our anchorage for the night.

 

 

 

Tues. May 13    0700/1400

54 miles      Alligator River, NC to Elizabeth City, NC

Today was a sunny 85 degree day with very little wind, which was great for cruising through the rest of the Alligator River and into the Pasquotank River.

We passed the Weeksville Blimp Hanger where all blimps are built except the Goodyear’s. Next we passed the largest Coast Guard air station in the country, which is used for Greenland iceberg patrols and Bahamas drug patrols.

 

We stopped at a free dock in Elizabeth City NC and were met by 2 gentlemen that helped tie us up and then gave me roses. (this is a custom that started many years ago)

 

Bob &Debi (fellow Loopers from WA), Bill (gave me a rose), Randy,

Bob & Martha (fellow Loopers from WI) and Gus (also helped hand out roses)