From Little Washington to Elizabeth City

Upon departing Washington, NC we made our way to Elizabeth City, NC via the ICW.  There is something I have been meaning to share with you about the Intercoastal Waterway and now, as we near the end of this waterway for a while, seems like a good time explain a little about it.  Those of you who are boaters might want to skip the rest of this post because you already know this stuff.

First of all it is not actually a waterway in the way that you may be thinking.  The ICW is really a series of connected river, creeks, bays, sounds, and sometimes man-made canals through which a course can be plotted that allows a boat to stay in protected waters as opposed to the open sea. 
Protected is a relative term.  If it is very windy the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico will have the highest wind speeds (because there is no land mass to stop or slow the winds), and thus the waves will be higher.  Also at a coastline the waves pile up and so the water is rough.  Thus most boaters, at least those in our size and type of boat prefer to remain in the ICW. 

This is where the relativity comes into play.  Generally the man-made cuts and the smaller rivers remain calm in all but the strongest storms, and if the forecast is that stormy we stay in port. In the bays and sounds however it can get rough.  In fact the worst whooping we ever got was on smallish (as opposed to a large Bay) Choctawhatchee Bay along the Florida Gulf coast near Destin.  Bays and Sounds are larger and wider bodies of water that are generally open to the sea on at least one end.  Thus a strong wind, coupled with their often shallow depth will kick up some fairly tall waves rather quickly.  This is especially true if the wind is blowing opposite of the way the tide is flowing.

But I digress - back to the ICW.  The various rivers, creeks, man-made cuts, and bays/sounds connect to each other and together, as a composite, they are called the Intercoastal Waterway.  For example when we left Washington, NC we followed the ICW to Elizabeth City, NC.  In order to do this we traveled down the Pamlico River to the Pungo River; then through the man-made Pungo-Alligator Canal to the Alligator River.  The Alligator River empties into Albermarle Sound which we traveled across in order to reach the Pasquotank River leading to Elizabeth City and the Dismal Swamp Canal.  From Elizabeth City we will travel the Pasquotank R. to the Dismal Swamp Canal to the Elizabeth River into Portsmouth/Norfolk where the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway terminates and boats enter Chesapeake Bay.  I hope this wordy epistle clarifies, somewhat, exactly what I mean when I mention the ICW.  Then again it could be just too much information.

Albermarle Sound is know as a generally snotty body of water and most boaters give it a lot of respect.  In other words if it is windy stay off of Albermarle.  Fortunately we have always chosen well and have not had a really bad ride across - but it is generally either a rolly or a choppy ride.  In four trips across I have never seen it calm, this trip it was rolly.  It is about 20 miles from the protection afforded by the Alligator, until we are far enough up the Pasquotank to be protected from the west or southwest.  While it isn't far it takes up about two and a half hours to travel this distance.

Before we cross Albermarle we generally stop for the night in the Alligator River Marina run by Miss Wanda.  This conveniently located marina, right at the mouth of the Alligator River, is in the middle of nowhere.  It is a combination marina/gas station where people can fuel as they travel to the Outer Banks by car.  Stopping in this location allows us to get an early start across the sound the next day before the wind builds.  It also gives us a chance for a mighty fine fried chicken dinner.  Miss Wanda, who also doubles as the waitress, is quick to tell you when you check in that they "close at eight, so if you want to eat be here no later than 7:00".  We were there at 6:30 (just in case) and the chicken did not disappoint! 

Elizabeth City is one of our favorite stops.  They are known among cruisers as "The Harbor of Hospitality".  In 1983 the city built Mariner's Wharf along their waterfront.  This complimentary dockage for traveling boaters was funded with contributions from businesses and individuals interested in reviving the downtown area by drawing visiting boaters to stop there.  In the fall of that year two retired gentlemen, Fred Fearing and Joe Kramer,  were hanging out on the docks to welcome the visiting mariners and Fred decided to clip some roses from his wife's garden and give to ladies on the boats.  The concept took off and "The Rose Buddies" were born.  For many years Fred & Joe greeted boats and helped them tie off.  When Joe passed on his rose bushes were transplanted to the wharf and Fred still greeted boaters every afternoon with a rose for the Admirals..  We were lucky enough to meet Fred Fearing on our first trip through the area in the spring of 2007 and were treated to one of his legendary wine & cheese parties.  Unfortunately Fred passed on in the fall of that year.  Today Gus has replaced Fred and he continues the tradition of helping boaters get settled and tells them about his community - but you have to cut your own rose.  Over the years Elizabeth City has added restroom and shower facilities, and if you know where to look (or if you ask Gus), there is even a source for water for filling your tank.

The rose bushes are just beyond the foreground of this photo

We were docked right where this blue boat is.
Step off the stern and smell the roses!

Downtown offers a Farmer's Market in season as well as the Museum of the Albermarle and a selection of restaurants and the atmosphere is delightful.  Many cruisers make this a "must" stop each time they cruise by.

From New Bern on to Washington

In addition to the quirky musings Larry had about New Bern we spent an enjoyable few days walking the streets of the historic town, the second oldest town in NC.  They do a fantastic job of sharing their history; with interpreters at the replicated Tryon Palace and at the historic Stanley home.  Everything is made easy by the staff at the North Carolina History Museum.

Tryon Palace, not so much a palace as the colonial governor's home and the seat of colonial government in the North Carolina Colony, was constructed in 1770.  After the American Revolution it served as the first Capitol of North Carolina.  The Palace burned in 1798 however the foundation and the stables remained.  In the twentieth century the original plans and drawings were discovered and eventually the structure was reconstructed.  While not a palace it certainly must have seemed palatial to the colonists of that time.  In the photo below the Palace is the building the center, the original stable building is on the right side of the frame, and the kitchen building is on the left of the frame. Behind these structures the grounds slope down to the Trent River.

Our timing was perfect, the North Carolina Symphony was playing a free concert on the back lawn of Tryon Palace the Sunday we were there.  We discovered this info while we were uptown that afternoon and met a local couple in the pharmacy where Pepsi Cola was originally formulated.  They were telling us about the community and then mentioned the free concert that evening.  The music and surroundings were simply fantastic and the weather was perfect for enjoying the outdoor venue.  While at the concert we met other locals and generally had a great time.

The back lawn of the Palace where we watched the concert

Soon enough it was time to move on and we once again picked up the Magenta Line on our chart and followed it to Oriental.  After a brief stop we had to decide whether to visit the outer banks and Okrakoke or the little town of Washington, NC.  Since the weather on Pamlico Sound was not so pretty we decided on Washington, sometimes called Little Washington so as not to confuse it with Washington D.C.. 

Founded in 1776, and the first city in  in America to be named for General Washington, Washington, NC is on the Pamlico River and has a beautiful riverfront, they offer boaters a free dock -with no power or water, or a full service dock.  Since it was hotter than blazes we choose to pay and have air conditioning!  The town is small and charming but unfortunately they do not do a very good job of sharing their history.  They do however have some good restaurants!

Larry's Musings on New Bern

Theresa and I have been visiting the town of New Bern, NC located on the banks of the Neuse and Trent rivers and, as always, I was curious where the name New Bern came from - I’m going to assume the rest of you are too. 

Well, a long time ago in around 1710 it (second oldest city in NC) the area was settled by Swiss, and Palatine German, immigrants who were fleeing religious intolerance in Europe. The new colonists named the settlement after Berne, the capital of Switzerland and hometown of their leader Baron Christoph Von Graffenried.   This is important because the history of the city of Berne, Switzerland begins with its founding by Berchtold V, Duke of Zähringen in 1191.  The duke vowed to name the city after the first animal he met on his first hunt, which turned out to be a bear.  Thus New Bern, NC is “The New Bear” 

 New Bern was developed on the site of a former Tuscarora Indian village and as a result there were less than ideal community relations between the settlers and other Tuscaroraan villages for a long period of time.  New Bern remained the seat of colonial government through the revolutionary war, and served for a time as the State Capitol in the early post revolutionary period.

 Industry and trade developed until the years of the Civil War.  It continued as a viable center for the manufacture and distribution of naval stores through the 1700 and 1800’s.  That’s nautical talk for tar, turpentine, pitch and other items of this nature that were important to the construction and maintenance of wooden ships.

 Northern forces occupied New Bern for a period of time during the War Between the States, and it was a site of free black encampments and hospitals’ for the northern forces. The town had little damage throughout the war thus survived with many historic building in place.

 

Barbour wood boat on Display at the NC History Center

Another business that thrived in New Bern was Barbour Boat Works building wood work boats starting in 1933.  Throughout WWII they built large and small wooden boats including mine sweepers.  I was not familiar with the small boats but they are very sought after and were considered a rival of Christ Craft at one time for design craftsmanship.   Some of them were powered by a marine version of the durable flat head Ford V-8.

 

 

 

“Brad’s Drink” a pure, delicious, wonderfully refreshing and bracing drink in hot weather.   Yes, we are talking about Pepsi-Cola founded in New Bern by Caleb Bradham in 1898.  The Original Pure Food Drink, Guaranteed under the U.S. Government Serial No. 3813. 

I always remember an advertising campaign from my youth:  “Nickel, Nickel, Nickel, Trickle, Trickle, Trickle, twelve full ounces!  BEWARE OF IMITATIONS!”

 Wait there’s more!  

The bear symbol, adopted by New Bern as the official mascot, was revitalized and updated on the 300^th anniversary of the founding of New Bern, NC (1710 to 2110) in the form of artistic bear sculptures being sponsored by various organizations, businesses and individuals through the city.  These were very creative in appearance and naming, I have included a few.

“Mitchell Bear” with Theresa and me in front of the iconic Mitchell Hardware store

 

I hope you can see the olive on his nose!

 

 

“Sprit Bear” at the A B C store.  For those that don’t know the only place to buy liquor in many southern states is the ABC store

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Harvest Bear” at the Farmers Market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Sailor Bear” by the recruiting station Veterans’ sponsored

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Barrister Bear” outside a law office

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Bear E. Essentials” by the Potash Corp. and many more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just one more item and my favorite.  It was manufactured by The Seth Thomas Clock Company, a No17 Gravity Escapement Tower Clock (like a grandfather clock).  It is probably a good thing our boat is not big enough to carry it, and besides they repeatedly turned down my offer of removal (I really want one)!  The clock contains two chambers with mechanisms; the upper housed and chimed the 800 lb bronze bell while the lower ran the Four Faced Clock with 9’ arms.  It was North Carolina’s first Four Face Clock and was originally installed in the US Post Office and Customs House (now City Hall) in 1911.  It served the community and welcomed visitors for 90 years by land and water.  It was taken out of service and removed from the tower in 2007 due to 90 years of wear.  Volunteers from The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors and the New Bern Public Works began the removal and restoration of the clock to its former grandeur. It now occupies a place of honor in the North Carolina History Center near Tryon Palace. It has been restored to working order, although it only chimes a 30 lb partly muted bell (still very mellow inside a building).  The display is very interesting indeed.  The clock works is 39” deep, 72” high, and 68’ wide, and weighs in at 2800 lb.  It originally was purchased for $2,950.  The 800 lb bell and 9” clock hands and face are still used in the Four Face Clock Tower, but are now served by a newer clock mechanism.  If your travels take you to this area it’s worth the stop. 

"Larry's" clock in its new home

And its old home which now uses a newer clock

 

So now you know.

Southport to New Bern

Leaving Southport, NC we traveled up the Mighty Cape Fear River to the turn for Carolina Beach.  We were lucky to be blessed with a rising tide to provide a "push" as we navigated upstream because the ebb can result in some fairly strong current against boaters at the wrong time of day.  In fact we left quite early (for us) in order to take advantage of the tidal push. 

Along the stretch of the ICW from Carolina Beach to Swansboro there are about four bridges that have very specific opening times once per hour; some on the hour and some on the half-hour.  If boats arrive too early they mill around and wait - if they arrive too late, even by a minute, they wait nearly an hour.  Thus timing is critical.  Also there are few anchorages, actually only one, and almost no marinas along this stretch.  The anchorage is not to our liking, or at least Theresa doesn't much like it.  The bottom is soupy mud and the holding is poor, the wind often blows which makes for a sleepless night with poor holding.  Also the anchorage is in the Camp Lejeune Marine base and there are often night exercises going on which create noise, all in all not very restful. 

We were spared from having to anchor here by the kindness of others, yet again.  Our friends from RoyEl are originally from this area and they have a friend here with a dock he does not use.  Roy and Elvie called their buddy Ed and he kindly invited us to stop and use his dock.  Not only that but he was there to take our lines and he even cooked dinner for us.  We spent an evening sharing boating stories and life stories and now we have a new friend in Hampstead.  Thanks Ed!

Lauren Grace at Ed's dock in Hampstead
In the background is the Atlantic

In the past we have moved through North Carolina with venturing off of the Magenta Line that marks the path of the ICW on our charts.  This time we were interested in exploring a little so our plan was to skip a stop in Beaufort, which is nice but we have been there and done that, and spend some time in Historic New Bern.  This proved to be a great choice!

A PINK house on the way to Swansboro

OK, so I'm Lazy!

I am embarrassed because I have let so much time pass since my last posting here.  The truth is that I have had such good intentions - but, umm, well, you know what the pundits say about good intentions.

Since the last time we have traveled a good distance as we were just leaving Hilton Head and now we are about to enter Virginia.  I could argue that Hilton Head is at the very southern tip of So. Carolina and that North Carolina's coast is very long.  And while that is true, it is also true that I am just not disciplined about keeping up with posting here. 

We have been having too good a time to download the pics and sit at the computer.  We made a fairly quick trip through South Carolina because we were planning a visit to friends in Southport, NC and we didn't have a lot of time to piddle but still some nice anchorages were calling to us. 

After all the miles of sawgrass country the beautiful Waccamaw River is a delight.  If you are following on a map you will find the mouth of the Waccamaw empties into Winyah Bay just north of Georgetown, SC.  There are lots of moss shrouded trees along the river banks and many small creeks that beckon cruisers to stop and spend some relaxing time.  Thoroughfare creek is especially inviting to us and so we planned our time so that we could spend a couple of days there.  We were not disappointed.  There were no other boats anchored, a few fisherman passed by each day as well as a few local runabout just out for a slow cruise - other than that it was just us and the birds and the 'gators.  The weather was nearly perfect and we enjoyed just hanging out in the creek and reading, napping and watching the wild life.

Our quiet anchorage in Thoroughfare Creek



If you look closely you can see the 'gator in the grass along the shore

Cypress trees along the Waccamaw

You have likely noticed the dark color of the water, it is not dirty.  The brown color comes from the tannin in the cypress knees rather than from mud.  We follow this beautiful river from Georgetown nearly to Myrtle Beach and we savor every mile.  Actually we could stay here for weeks but we reluctantly moved on in order to have time to spend in the delightful town of Southport and with our friends there.

Pat & Bill Steele have made North Carolina their retirement destination and it is easy to see why.  Compared to St. Louis the climate is very mild; there is a lot of American History along the shores of NC, and the people are very friendly.  Pat had made arrangements for us to have a guided tour of Brunswick Towne, founded in 1726 on the banks of the mighty Cape Fear River.  It was, at one time, the home of the Royal Governor and a very important port for the shipping of naval stores back to England.  The historian who narrated our tour was so very knowlegable and we were even treated to a preview of some new artifacts that had just been uncovered and were still in the process of being dated.  What a great overview of the pre- revolutionary war history of NC.  Although abandoned completely after the revolution the ruins of Brunswick town became important to the Confederacy during the Civil War when officers decided that the site would shore up Confederate defenses of the important port of Wilmington further up the Cape Fear River.

Amid out history lessons and bird watching time in Southport we were able to find time for a much need trip to the grocery to provision for the next part of our trip.  When we entered the Wal-Mart store we each took a cart and went our separate ways.  Larry visited the automotive department in search of oil for the engines on the boat and I went to buy groceries.  We rendezvoused in the produce depart when Larry returned with his cart full of six gallons of oil and 3 cases of beer.  A gentleman who was shopping with his wife articulated the observation that we were boaters.  When Larry answered "well, yes we are, did you see us at the marina/", he replied no, he hadn't - but only boaters buy that much quantity of those two items together!