June 24, Day 35
Elizabeth City to Little Alligator River
Today we traveled the rest of the way out of the Dismal Swamp from the Pasquotank River. This part of the river through Elizabeth City is very pretty.
Today is our Albermarle Sound crossing. Wave conditions were posted as 1-2’ seas. Not bad. Even Bella can sometime do that! But we’ve learned that 1-2’ can mean 0-1 OR 3-4s! And Bella didn’t fare so well. I wore the Relief Band and did great though that’s my threshold so I might’ve been ok anyway.
After the crossing, we entered the Alligator River (that bridge tender was busy today!) and the winds picked up even more. Bruce clocked them in the sound as 20-25 knots. We had laundry drying overnight that was still wet but they dried real fast in those winds.
When we anchored they were everywhere. I had googled earlier to see if they bite and apparently these big ones chew on you and it hurts.
We put our crab lines out again hoping for crabs for dinner. This is the 3rd time we’ve tried and I forgot to mention that the 1st time, no crabs. The 2nd time we did BUT we didn’t realize our net wouldn’t reach the water to pick them up! We never checked. So today, they are set off the aft deck where we can step on the swim platform to reach them. But there was a pretty swift current and our lines got all twisted. Bella was about to have an apoplexy with the crab pot floats near by. It’s so hard to be on crab patrol!
We had a beautiful sunset on the aft deck watching the storm clouds go around us. We never got any rain.
0 cell service in this whole area
Miles today: 66.3
Total Traveled: 982
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June 25, Day 36
Little Alligator River to Bellhaven, NC
We entered the 22 mile long Alligator - Pungo River Canal about 8:30. In 1928, the canal was dug (took 6 years to complete) to complete the ICW.” Bellhaven is on the Pungo River and it’s claim to fame is the “birthplace of the ICW.
We are reminded to be on bear patrol as it is common to see them here. No bear sightings.
Bella on bear patrol
The canal is much like the Dismal Swamp but actually prettier, wider and deeper.
We stopped in Bellhaven for the night. The write ups all say that it is a must stop.
We dinghied in for some walking and shopping in the this quaint little old town. We saw 2 other people shopping also. 2! Quiet, quiet place but a convenient place to break the trip.
So we went back for dinner at the Spoon River Restaurant which came highly recommended by other cruisers on Active Captain and by Yelp and by the Waterway Guide. We have to say that it was pretty amazing. One of the best tunas we have ever had. Their wine list is a bit different. You don't chose from a list but instead you get to browse a room and pick your wine. Fun!
Soft Shell Crab appetizer, of course.
Ahi Tuna Steaks
Miles today 37
Miles total 1019
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