Sunday 23 May Location : Elizabeth City, NC Marina (36 17 .906 / 76 13 .101)

Our 5th week

For the past week, there has been very little access to the internet – even with the air card.

We have been anchoring out quite a bit and really enjoy it. It is economical, but mostly, it is so peaceful, especially when the winds are calm.

Spent two nights docked at the famous Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant in Morehead, NC. Enjoyed a delicious seafood dinner .The restaurant opened in 1937 and, as the photos on the wall reflect, has been visited by many famous persons. The unofficial maitre de has been working at the restaurant since the age of 14 and is now well into his 70’s. He greets and chats with all the customers in a very cheerful manner.

We had ordered a part for the anchor light from West Marine to be picked up in Morehead and used our bikes, of course, as transportation. Our short bike trip ended up being quite a work out ----11-12 miles round trip. Someone misinformed us and we did not do our research on our Tom-Tom gps in advance. Another lesson learned. We were some tired pups!!!

Spent another day docked at Belhaven, NC, and the Admiral advised “the crew” it would be a work detail stop: Laundry , kitty cat haircuts, grocery shopping (traveled the 14 blocks via golf cart –without brakes), and some housekeeping and boat polishing.

Late this night, while Richard was adjusting dock lines, he heard someone calling out in distress. The very intoxicated man had fallen from the dock into the water. With considerable effort, Richard was able to get him back on the dock and on board his boat. That man’s fate could have been so different had Richard not been there for him at that moment.

Today Sunday, May 23 . We left our anchorage early this morning, at 545am, while the winds were calm, to cross the 15 mile Albemarle Sound. We finished the sunrise crossing at 1100am and are docked at the Elizabeth City Marina , which is free for up to 48 hrs. Fortunately, and as we had hoped, we arrived well before a significant thunder storm with blinding rain. Tadpole is rocking, but safe and sound and so are we. Will more than likely stay here tomorrow, then will begin the Dismal Swamp Canal Route.