11/26/10
Yet again, our trip down the Dismal Canal in NC proves that the canal is inappropriately named. I suppose to a land surveyor and land speculator, such as George Washington was back then, the area was not hospitable. His crew used the water to transport timber. We use the improved waterway here as a pleasure trip. The sun was shining as we motored our way through the swamp and 2 locks. A few brave turtles came out to sun themselves in the brisk 40 degree air. An otter cruised the shore amongst the herons. No signs of civilization until we near Elizabeth City and pass by the hospital and college.
There's a dock available at the Elizabeth City town docks and we enjoy being able to stretch our legs and walk to the grocery store without having to launch the dinghy. In the evening the "Rose Buddies" and the tourism department of the City put on their regular wine and cheese party for the boaters. We hear stories from other captains of their journey to here and count the number of repairs they've had to do on the way....sails, engines, transmissions. We feel lucky to have nothing to add to this conversation.
Our friend Bob arrives on his boat "Scoot-N-Clan" from Long Island, NY. He's been hoping to catch up with us so Jerry can install the autopilot he purchased during the summer. Jerry spends the next two days with Bob preparing to install the autopilot. Bob's friends, Jon and Nora who live in Elizabeth City, take us to their home for dinner a couple of times and another friend of Bob's, Pat, drives us around for parts, groceries, laundry, propane. We've been spoiled! Thanks!
Jon, Jerry, Pat, Nora and Bob
Jerry completed as much of the autopilot installation as possible. One part has been ordered and shipped to our friends D and Don in Oriental. He'll have to finish there.
From Elizabeth City we had a glorious sail down the Elizabeth River and across the Albemarle Sound on a close reach in 15 - 20 knots of wind and down the Alligator River. At the end of the day we anchored on the Pungo River, the wind stopped and we enjoyed a perfectly still evening with a gibbous moon overhead and the smell of Carolina pines in the air.
The next day brought light air and we leisurely sailed the rest of the way to Oriental. There is so much happening in Oriental! D and Don live here and cousins Dick and Georgette are a short drive away. Bob, Jerry and I felt like royalty as Dick and Georgette arrived with their van and chauffeured us to New Bern and dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant. Our evening included a tour of downtown New Bern sparkling with Christmas lights. Then apple pie aboard Persephone back at the dock.
D and Don, in addition to providing bikes for transportation around town, made dinner another night - topped off with a campfire and roasted marshmallows in their backyard.
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| Jerry and D |
Don whittling sticks 
In between dinners, a movie, wine tastings, and visiting with other boaters, Jerry finished Bob's autopilot installation.
The autopilot will make traveling easier for single-hander Bob. Especially those long passages where he sits at the helm for 24 hours +/-.
D loaned me a table and chairs to set up my sea glass jewelry and watercolor notecards at the Farmer's Market in Oriental. Yup, I sold some. Thanks, D.
And, our friends Mike and Liz (usually traveling on their sailboat) arrived in Oriental aboard their friend Joe's boat. They've traveled from Oneida Lake in NY to here in Joe's 34' Rinker powerboat.
Dinner with Joe, Mike, Liz, Don & D (left early) and Bob at the Oriental Grill.
We love Oriental - it would be great to stay and visit more but we have to keep our track south to try to stay ahead of the cold.
The sun goes down in Oriental.
Off to Beaufort.
Here in Beaufort we find our friends Ryan, Kari, Shawn and Haley aboard "Valkyrie" at the docks. The winds aren't favorable for leaving so we plan a Thanksgiving dinner with them and a couple from New Zealand.
Kari and Karen in the galley of Valkyrie as Haley looks on.
Shawn fills his plate with the turkey I stuffed and baked in our oven. (Yes, stuffed. I took a tape measure to the grocery store and bought the largest turkey I could. 12.5 lbs. Rubs on the top of the oven as it cooks.)
Kari's home made cranberry sauce (Jerry's mashed potatoes in the background.)
Haley's pecan pie with the turkey on top. She made the crust, cracked the nuts, the whole kit-and-kaboodle! Yum!
Shawn, Jerry, Karen, Pete, Kari, Ryan, Haley and Raewyn.
At the end of the evening we accept a tow from Pete and Raewyn back to the anchorage.
Four-stroke outboards are very fuel efficient - but we do need to add some!
From here we go out on the ocean and head south............
Happy Thanksgiving!
Karen and Jerry
