Adventures in boating...

I find the water a strange color, to me it resembles root beer but I'm sure it's not as flavorful! 

Since we only had 33miles to travel today we took it easy and enjoyed sleeping in a bit and eating breakfast at the truck stop. I had my fried chicken and biscuit sandwich and it did not disappoint!! Ben enjoyed a bacon sandwich with egg and cheese. We have to stop finding these great spots with equally great food!!

We left the marina at 9:15am watching the weather as we have a large body of water to cross, the Albemarle Sound. The Albemarle is a partially enclosed coastal body of water that has several rivers flowing into it. It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks. Albemarle is brackish water meaning it is both fresh and salt water. This body of water is large and can kick up with high winds making it very choppy. Almost like being on Lake Michigan.

It started out perfect, as we were all smiles, some of us (Ben) were dancing!

Bob and Liz behind us...

We started the trip on a high note and that changed about 45 minutes into our trip. The winds picked up and so did the water. We found ourselves in a perfect beam sea with three and four foot waves. We have stabilizers (which I found out afterwards that Ben did not have them on the whole time) and I still layed down on the floor of the fly bridge, mostly so I didn't have to see the water and also so I could cuddle with Crocket. Ben all the while was laughing and having a blast. I never felt like we were not safe, but my stomach was starting to not enjoy it.

Bob and Liz had a rough ride. Their dinghy came off its davits and Bob had to go down and mess with that while Liz tried to keep the boat steady so he didn't fall in. To make matters worse, there were more crab pots to avoid than we saw down in the Florida Keys, I mean they were blanketed in this area. They managed to get the dinghy secure but they got beat up a bit with the waves.

After arriving in Elizabeth City, we relaxed for a bit, then walked into town to check things out...we were pleased! Hot dogs, Sushi, a book store, and a cool old bar we had to pay $1 annual fee to become members! All-in-all a great stop before we venture to the Dismal Swamp!!

This is a blimp hangar where blimps were once built. This used to be the largest building in the world.

We are docked in Elizabeth City at Pelican Marina ($35 flat rate). Not much to the marina, the docks need some help. Clean bathrooms, laundry and a boat house. The town was easy walking distance away, along a busy road for a bit of the trip.

Walking along the bridge to town we go!

Elizabeth City, NC

Hot dogs for all!

Among us, we have a couple members of Coaster's Downtown Draught House!

It is always a treat to find a good sushi restaurant, and we are suckers!