07 October 2011

ICW miles 28 - 82

Another beautiful, sunny, if somewhat colder day in North Carolina greeted us with fog on the Great Dismal swamp canal. We departed as the sun rose (late here to the West) after 0700 (EST) with the plan to make the first opening of the South Mills lock at 0830. By now we feel like lock pros and set up a bow and stern line on the starboard side complete with bowline so the attendant could easily grab the line with his boat hook. 


We departed the canal around 0900 and ventured down the Pasquotank  river following its meandering course.  Taking our ocean going sailboat down a windy river with 9 - 11' of water, algae and lilly pads with unthinkable. After Elizabeth city the river opened up and we were finally able, for the first time since leaving Maine, to set all of the sails.


We had a glorious sail out the river,  across Albemarle sound, and into the Alligator river. 


Albemarle sound and the estuaries of Eastern North Carolina have a rich sailing heritage as trade routes and fishing grounds. 


Finally we dropped anchor in South lake completing our planned 50 miles as the sun set over marshlands. 


3 comments:

  1. Love that last pic! Does she always have her eyes on you?

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  2. Love that last pic! Does she always keep her eyes on you?

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  3. She keeps tabs on us and if we are out of sight for too long comes looking. I received a royal welcome upon returning to the boat! Wags and kisses.

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