The Pelican Marina in Elizabeth City, North Carolina to Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center in South Mills, North Carolina

Day #330: From last evening I beat Mike at cribbage. The two of us were up at 5:30 A.M. to prepare for departure. Temperatures in the low 70's, clear with a slight breeze. Engines were on at 6:15 A.M. underway at 6:20 A.M. As "Parrot Bay" got underway we saw the gold looper boat "Journey" but they were traveling the opposite direction. At 6:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was clear of the Elizabeth City Draw Bridge traveling 5.6 miles per hour so that we will arrive at South Mills Lock for the 11:00 A.M. opening of the lock which is 13 miles away.  At 9:05 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was out of the Pasquotank River into Turner's Cut which is a straight narrow canal. At 9:10 A.M. clunk under the boat from an underwater obstacle with no issues. At 10:00 A.M. in Mike and my fashion we arrived at the South Mills Lock one hour early so we did a 180 to kill time. At 10:20 A.M. "Parrot Bay" did another 180 to return to the lock. At 10:50 A.M. "Parrot Bay" returned to the lock after traveling an extra 2.6 miles extra today. At 11:00 A.M. lock opened "Parrot Bay" prepared for a port side tie with our own lines that the lockmaster assisted with getting around the bollard. At 11:25 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was clear on the South Mills Lock (31st lock since the beginning of the trip) after being raised 8 feet. As "Parrot Bay" left the lock the lockmaster got into his vehicle heading to the South Mills Bascule Bridge to raise the bridge for "Parrot Bay".  At 11:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was clear of the Bascule Bridge. Beautiful ride in the Dismal Canal for the two of us as we were very happy that we had decided to take this route on our great loop adventure. The Dismal Swamp State Park has a foot bridge across the canal that the park ranger opened as "Parrot Bay" approached.  Just passed the floating foot bridge is the wall dock at the visitor center. At 12:25 P.M. "Parrot Bay" was secure at the free wall at the visitor center after traveling 26.8 miles (3,689.8 total miles for the trip). Mike and I went to check in at the visitor center which is also a rest area with the Dismal Swamp State Park next door. The lady in the visitor center was very welcoming obtaining lots of information while Mike and I enjoyed the air conditioning. I bought a t-shirt (now there is a surprise).  After lunch the two of us headed to the Dismal Swamp State Park where we walked through a small museum before walking on the boardwalk where we saw a deer in the woods. The two of us headed back to the boat for happy hour which was steamy as it was 97 degrees outside it was HOT HOT HOT!!! I had lots of cold water which was great. Mike and I stayed up on the flying bridge as long as we could having dinner up there as well. The breeze on the flying bridge was much better than the inside of the main cabin.  At 7:45 A.M. Mike filled the camp shower with water from the rest area restrooms.  He hoisted the camp shower with the boom taking a cold shower out on the swim platform. He was so refreshed he talked me into going out as well.  I was glad that I did, it was very cool and enjoyable. After showers it was time for blogging and getting ready for tomorrows departure. Great news late is that the Oswego Canal has officially opened which means that getting to the Trent-Severn Waterway is reachable so Mike and I will get to do this on their loop. Mike found an electrical outlet on one of the light poles on the dock he ran an extension cord from the electrical outlet to the boat. We were able to run the fans during the night which made sleeping bearable.  

Elizabeth City Draw Bridge.

Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge which is now abandon.

Looking down the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge.

Pasquotank River

Elizabeth City Community College via the Pasquotank River.

You would not want to hit this!!!


Getting narrower but just beautiful scenery. 

Mike and I saw lots of turtles today.

Turner's Cut is a straight canal. 

Just beautiful.

Fake Out!!!  A dressed up mannequin on the dock.

The South Mills Lock at 10:00 A.M. when Mike and I arrived the first time.
 

Mike and I saw this sign on the second trip.

It's 11:00 A.M. time for an opening at the South Mills Lock. 

Mike at the stern of the "Parrot Bay" in the lock.

The lockmaster left the lock to head down to lift this bridge for "Parrot Bay".

South Mills Bridge lifting for the "Parrot Bay".
 

Past the South Mills bridge was a highway bridge. I just love the reflection of the trees and bridge. 

Getting closer to the visitor's center. 

                                                  Canal Bridge at the Dismal Swamp.

The park ranger opened the bridge without Mike having to call.

NEBO Elizabeth City, NC to South Mills, NC

Dismal Swamp Canal is a visitor center, rest area on a major highway and Dismal Swamp State Park.

"Parrot Bay" at the free dock. This is where Mike and I had docked the boat when they first came to the visitor center. 

Mike having lunch on the boat with a fan to keep him cool. I had one facing me as well.
 

Picture of the "Parrot Bay" from the canal bridge. Mike and I  moved the "Parrot Bay" from the front of the dock to the back of the dock as we had hoped to find some power for the fans. The power didn't work after Mike and I had moved the boat. 

Inside the Dismal Swamp State Park. 

Mike and I went for a walk on the boardwalk in the 97 degree heat.
 

We saw this deer while they were walking. 

Sign on the canal bridge for the Dismal Swamp State Park.

Mike and my view during happy hour. 

Dragonfly joining Mike and I at happy hour. 

Mike enjoying a camp shower on the well deck of the "Parrot Bay".

When the lamppost came on for the evening Mike tested the outlet again it worked YEAH!!!!  Ran an extension cord to the boat to power the fans.

Mike ran an extension cord to the boat from the lamppost so the fans are running. 

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.

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.

Captain Mike was so happy when the bridge tender told him that "Parrot Bay" could go side by side through the bridge. 

The swing bridge as "Parrot Bay" passed by.

As "Parrot Bay" passed through the swing bridge it was an immediate turn heading toward Alligator River Marina.

Alligator River Marina/Gas Station where you pay for your slip and can have breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Small replica of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse at the marina.

"Parrot Bay" in her slip at the Alligator River Marina.