Winnie the Pooh: Portsmouth, VA to Morehead City, NC

We decided to travel the Dismal Swamp route when we departed Portsmouth, for we like the quiet of the swamp, and the wildlife. Due to low water levels, the locks are only opened twice a day at 9 AM and 3 PM, so we positioned ourselves to lock through at 9 AM on Monday. While we're inside the Deep Creek Lock we heard three boats calling on VHF pleading the lockkeeper to wait for them, we waited for 25 minutes then the lockkeeper told the boats that they'll have to lock through at 3 PM since they're still waiting for bridges. So our day on the swamp was just as quiet and beautiful as we've expected. We also stopped at the NC Welcome Station for a visit to time the South Mills Lock at 3 PM. We finally arrived at Elizabeth City, NC around 6 PM.

Dismal Swamp Canal

Elizabeth City is one of most boater friendly cities. They provide free docks, the Visitor Center and the Rose Buddies host daily wine and cheese parties when there's more than 4 boats in town. The mayor came to meet and welcome us to his city, and the Farm Fresh Market picked us up to go shopping at their store. We also enjoyed seeing the new Museum of the Albermarle.

Elizabeth City waterfront docks

We left Elizabeth City early Wednesday morning and had a good calm day on the Albermarle Sound. We anchored at Pungo River that night.

Sunrise on the Pasquotank River

On Thursday we went up the Pamlico River to Washington, NC. It's kind of out of way when you are heading south (34 miles off the ICW), but it's well worth a visit. The town provides two nights free docking, and there are many restaurants, interesting shops, board walks and a new Estuarium. We came here to celebrate Mark's birthday and to meet some friends. Our lunch at Mimi's Cafe was delicious.

Washington waterfront docks and big homes

Washington High School homecoming night parade

We left Washington on Saturday afternoon for Bath. It's a lovely small town, this afternoon we came in for it's protected anchorage from a Nor'easter that have been blowing for two days.

We should have stayed in port Oct. 12th with weather forecasting NE 15-20. We left Bath at the crack of dawn and the trip down the Pamlico River was comfortable, but by the time we got to the Pamlico Sound-Neuse River junction the wind was blowing nearly east at 20-25 with higher gusts, a uncomfortable ride for an hour until we headed into the Neuse River. Our down wind direction on the Neuse River was comfortable although the wind was around 25, the conditions improved even more when we got into the Adams Creek Canal. At this stretch we got passed by five go-fast boats, I guess the news of oil prices going down had powered up their go-fast egos again! We dropped anchor at Spooner's Creek at Morehead City at 4:35 PM. It's time for a drink.