Mike and Patty's Great Loop Adventure 2018-2019

Alligator River Marina in Columbia, North Carolina to The Pelican Marina in Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Day #329: From last evening I beat Mike at cribbage. The two of us were up at 5:00 A.M. to prepare for departure. The engines were started at 5:40 A.M. with departure at 5:45 A.M. At 6:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was out of the Alligator River into Albemarle River/Sound where there were LOTS of Crab pots!!!! At 8:15 A.M. "Parrot Bay" entered Pasquotank River with still LOTS of Crab pots!!! At 10:15 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was secure at Pelican Marina with a few scratches on port beam from a nail protruding through a worn bumper. Mike had to be assisted by two gentleman in an outboard to get one stern line and one starboard mid-ship line to pilings. "Parrot Bay" traveled 36.7 miles today (3,689.8 total for the trip). At 11:15 Mike and I walked over the bridge into the Elizabeth City downtown district where we checked out the free city docks where there is no power and the finger piers are low and very short. Glad we didn't plan on those!  At Pelican Marina although a bit rustic we are able to easily get on and off the boat and we have power to run the fans. The two of us headed to Grouper's Waterfront Restaurant where we had lunch in the air conditioning.  We walked to the Museum of the Albemarle which was a very nice museum. The museum had a website that narrated small snippets about the different displays in the museum. When the two of us walked out of the museum the clouds had dissipated the sun was out.  It was like walking into a sauna,  it was 94 degrees.  Mike and I headed back to the marina but stopped into Page by Page Books a very nice bookstore where I bought a few books and the two of us enjoyed the air conditioning again. The two of us headed back to the marina where we had happy hour on the flying bridge.  It was warm but there was a breeze that helped. At 5:30 P.M. it was time for blogging and navigation planning. Tomorrow we head to the Dismal Swamp.

Another beautiful sunrise this morning on the water. 

One more look at the Alligator River Swing Bridge closed.

United States Coast Guard Air Station in Elizabeth City from the water.
 

Planes on the ground at the air base. 

This Coast Guard Air Plane took off while we were traveling by the air base.

NEBO Columbia, NC to Elizabeth City, NC

                                                                                     

                Interesting as everywhere that Mike and I went in Elizabeth City only served Pepsi.
                                                                                    

While in Elizabeth City the Wright Brothers purchased provisions necessary for their stay on the Outer Banks. This sign indicates that they Wright Brothers bought gasoline form N.G. Grandy                                                             Company in 1902 and 1903.
                                                                                  

This is the site where the Arlington Hotel, stood where Wilbur Wright stayed during his initial            trip to North Carolina in September 1900 to explore the possibility on manned flight.
                                                                                  

                                           This sign is at the city docks in Elizabeth City.

The Legend of the Rose Buddies-on a Sunday afternoon in 1983. Fred L. Fearing and Joseph P. Kramer decided to host a gathering for the mariners. Joe clipped his own rosebuds for the First Mates, while Fred supplied the refreshments. That first reception welcomed 17 boats and their crews. The Rose Buddies tradition in the Harbor of Hospitality was born and spread by word of mouth up and down the Intracoastal Waterway and beyond. When Joe died in 1987, his rose bushes were transplanted to Mariners Wharf Park for visitors and color for the "locals" who stop by the docks. Even when Fred reached his 90's he continued the work of the Rose Buddies. Fred Fearing died in 2007. 

The Museum of Albemarle. 

Mike and I enjoyed the Museum of the Albemarle and Visitor Center. 

"Parrot Bay's" stop for the night.