Mike and Patty's Great Loop Adventure 2018-2019

River Forest Manor & Marina in Belhaven, North Carolina to Alligator River Marina in Columbia, North Carolina

Day #328: HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!! From last evening I beat Mike at cribbage. The two of us were up at 5:00 A.M. to prepare for departure. The morning was clear, warm with a slight breeze. The engines were started at 5:40 A.M. with "Parrot Bay" away from the dock at 5:45 A.M. At 7:00 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was entering the Alligator River/Pungo River Canal. Multiple eagles were spotted but no bears. At 9:10 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was bow/bow with tug/barge "Island Pilot". At 9:40 A.M. "Parrot Bay" exited the canal entering the Alligator River. At 10:00 A.M. "Parrot Bay" bow to bow with tug/barge "Island Explorer". Winds were out of the north 8-10 with light chop. At 12:00 P.M. "Parrot Bay" was through the Alligator River Swing Bridge with the tug/barge "Island Trader". Lots of Memorial Day traffic on the Alligator River Swing Bridge, backed up a long way during the swing bridge opening. Likely lots of people returning after the weekend on the Outer banks unhappy about having to wait for the swing bridge. At 12:15 P.M. "Parrot Bay" was secure in slip #11 in Alligator River Marina after traveling 54 miles (3,653.1 miles for the trip). Alligator River Marina has a gas station/convenience store that patrons traveling over the Alligator River Swing Bridge can stop to gas and snack. Mike and I went to pay for our dockage fees at the gas station purchasing some beer and ice. The two of us worked on a bit of paperwork. I called The Pelican Marina in Elizabeth City as I had made a on-line reservation but they asked for a phone call to give them an estimated time of arrival. I did a on-line reservation for Tidewater Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, Virginia for Thursday through Saturday which I received a prompt confirmation. The two of us headed to the Alligator River Marina gas station to have lunch where Mike had a burger and I had chicken fingers where the two of us enjoyed the air conditioning. The two of us checked out the facilities at the marina showers, restrooms and lounge. The sun was shining with temperatures in the low 80's with a breeze which caused white caps on the Alligator River, Mike and I were happy that we had stopped when the did as we had a better ride this morning. Mike and I worked on paperwork getting ready for the Dismal Swamp on Wednesday and Thursday. At 4:30 P.M. it was time for happy hour on the flying bridge there was a beautiful breeze that was refreshing. The two of us tried to figure out why there was so much traffic on the Alligator River Swing Bridge today looking at map they soon found out that it is one of only three ways to get to the Outer Banks. We concluded that for Memorial Day that people had traveled to the Outer Banks and today they are heading back home. The white caps on the Alligator River decreased through happy hour so Mike and I are hoping that in the morning it will be calm.

Beautiful sunrise this morning over the Neuse River.

Mike and I had been told to watch for wildlife in the canals. Right away in the morning we saw this osprey.

Mike and I saw this adult eagle. Other boaters have seen bear but no bear today.

Alligator River/Pungo River Canal. Long and straight.

Oh no!!! Mike and I had heard that tug/barges can be seen in the canal-well sure enough.

"Island Pilot"

Captain Mike will tell you it is much easier to see this bow/bow than it is to pass them.

"Island Pilot' after it passed "Parrot Bay".

Number #2! But this time it was out of the canal. You must stay in the ICW channel put there is more room.

"Island Explorer"

"Island Explorer" after passing "Parrot Bay".

Seriously a third tug/barge today. Mike timed it so that we would be going through the Alligator River Swing Bridge with "Island Trader." He made the VHF call to the swing bridge and we just followed him through. Traffic backed up a long way on the bridge.