Oriental, NC

We have some interesting neighbors... Especially "Boca" who is very talkative! Mom is Spanish and named the parrot "Boca" because she talks all the time. You can be sitting inside your boat and you will hear "Boca" talking. She makes all kinds of sounds until someone comes out and talks to her. This morning Ron and I were having breakfast and it sounded like a cat was meowing. So I went outside thinking it was a cat and long and behold it was just a parrot. She loves being the center of attention!

My Love

Commercial Fishing Boat Coming In

Neighboring Catamaran With "Boca"

"Boca" Loves  Hanging on the Cat

 

Dad & "Boca"


So "Boca" & Dad are hanging out this morning and all of a sudden a poodle comes buy and starts barking at "Boca" and wagging it's tail. So "Boca" says "We got to go"!!!  So funny....

Marina Yard... A great Place to Relax

Boca & Mom Hanging out at the Tiki Bar

"Boca" is 28 Years Old

All Commercial Fisherman in for the Evening

Visitors This Morning

The Catamaran headed out early this afternoon. Ron and  I worked on the boat for a while and then I went artsy seeking and Ron caught up on marine talk with other Captains. 
 Lots of fishing boats came in today and unloaded tons of shrimp and various fish.
 It is amazing to watch them and hear about their day to day life. 

Here They Come for Their Treat

They Love to Bathe in Fresh Water

Toucan Grill Mascot

Hey Hun I see a Cobra at the Coffee Shop 

OK, I'm right there... talking cars no doubt.  :-)

Storm "Bertha" Stirs Up The Coast

Due to storm Bertha going up the east coast we stayed at Alligator River Marina in Columbia, NC for five nights. One word comes to mind when you hear about Alligator River Marina and that is "Wanda". Yes she runs a tight ship... but well beyond that she is warm, empathetic, funny, helps you tie up, assists with fueling, works the store when short handed, has a real dry sense of humor.... she is awesome!!!

Since it is the only marina crossing north or south across the Albemarle Sound, most likely you will have to stop here at least for one night. Of course Ron and I were frustrated with the non-stop rain that did not allow us to take walks or clean the boat up topside. There are no stores within 12 miles. Yikes!

But then again that is what life aboard a boat is all about.... Chill....Om...
We read some great books and watched the movie "Noah". The movie is more hollywood than biblical, but Russel Crowe does a great job.

Alligator River Marina - A Stop Every Boater Makes!

Leaving ARM Tuesday  at 7:00

Waiting on Bridge Tender  

Swing Bridge Open for Us 

Tuesday we left ARM and headed south to Bellhaven. We are moored at River Forest Marina and that is all I will say about that. (except to say if you are heading this way DON'T stop here)  But of course if you want to see if Jonathan Livingston Seagull and his 10,000 cousins have landed here this would be the place.  :-).

Well we made the best of it, Captain Ron hosed off the boat while First Mate Kathrin borrowed the marina golf cart and went food shopping. Minus all the spider webs it wasn't a bad way to groceries and Dockmaster Axson is a nice guy!

When we woke up the next morning our boat was covered in small brown bugs and lots of spider webs that had entrapped those little brown delicacies! Yikes.... Not to mention an occasional deposite from Jonathan.

Sunset at Bellhaven

OK, Where is Jonathan?

Sunrise Wednesday Morning

Ron Caught Geese Flying Through Sunrise

Not a Place You Want to Dock Your Boat

Adios!

It is Wednesday at 10:00 am and we are in the Pamlico about to enter Goose Creek heading for Oriental. It is a beautiful sunny day with calm waters and we are all alone out here!

Arrived at Oriental Marina at 2:30. Scrubbed the sundeck and hosed off the boat. Being too tired to cook had a nice dinner at the Toucan Grill right here at the marina. Our waitress was from our old town in Morganton, NC. Small world...

Thursday morning, "Wake Up and Be Awesome"!  Have decided  to stay another day. :-)

Tidewater Yachts Portsmouth VA, Coinjock NC, Alligator River Marina Columbia, NC

Tuesday morning after a short trip from Hampton we arrived back at Tidewater Yachts in Portsmouth, VA. We had stayed here back in June for about a week. Ron got to buy himself a red Tidewater Cap and claim that he is Rob's twin!

Mile Marker Zero!

Sunset at Tidewater

Sunset Cruise Ship out of Norfolk

One Last Look at Norfolk Naval Center 

Following Cargo Ship Out of Harbor

  Wednesday we left Portsmouth and headed down the Virginia Cut to Coinjock, NC. There are two historic waterways The Dismal Swamp Canal (DSC) and the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal (ACC) also referred to as the Virginia Cut. We took the Dismal Swamp Canal while coming up north a few months ago, so this trip we chose the Virginia cut.

The Place to Make the Choice

George Washington along with a group of investors owned about 50,000 acres of the Dismal Swamp. In 1793 construction of a canal began at both ends of the dismal. Most of the labor was down by slaves hired from nearby landowners. The canal had to be dug completely by hand, so progress was slow and expensive. The slaves became so familiar with the swamp that it eventually became a haven for runaways. Later in the the anti-slavery era large colonies of maroons settled in the canal areas. Harriett Beecher Stowe wrote her second great novel, "Dred: a Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp". The Dismal Swamp Canal was eventually opened in 1805.
The construction of the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal was accomplished by seven steam dredges on floating platforms. The canal was completed in 1859. It's single lock, the Great Bridge Lock, is 220 feet long and 40 feet wide. Today you will find the lock lined with beautiful crepe myrtle trees. Passing through the Great Bridge we were reminded of the historical significance of that river crossing. During the Revolutionary War of 1775 the American Patriots routed the British soldiers, causing the British to evacuate their hold on Virginia. This allowed Americans to use Norfolk as a major seaport.

Stairway to Nowhere...

Dragon Fly Catching a Ride

Lock & Great Bridge Behind it

Tied up in the Lock

Captain Ron Checking in With First Mate

Exiting the Lock 

Beautiful Crepe Myrtles

Wednesday we continued on our way south six hours to Coinjock, NC. It is the only marina on the Virginia Cut. Coinjock's claim to fame is their 32oz steak! :-)  Neither one of us tried that, we opted for seafood instead.

Long Face Dock at Coinjock

In Case You Get Lost 

Boat Secured Makes a Happy Captain

Thursday at 7:00 we continued our journey down the Virginia Cut through Albemarle Sound to the Alligator River. Traveling on the Albemarle Sound can sometimes be a challenging crossing due to winds approaching from east or west and building waves in this wide body of water. In addition you have to keep a very watchful eye for there are many crab pots within the channel. Luckily our trip was vary calm and we pulled into the Alligator River Marina in Columbia, NC late morning.

Shortly After Leaving Coinjock

50 Miles South of Norfolk

Moored at Alligator River Marina

The Only Boat at ARM

It is Friday, August 1st, and we are socked in with rain at Alligator River Marina for the weekend. 

Miscellaneous Stuff

Mike & Adi's Birthdays 

Yum, Sea Salt Dark Chocolate 

Sasha Hiding

Missy Sleeping on Dave's Desk

Missy Loving Dave's Shoes