Albemarle Loop

 We left our anchorage in Norfolk to continue south through the Great Dismal Swamp. We have been through here a couple of times before and it is quiet, scenic, but with the occasional deadhead that floats up as you pass over it. It is only 6 or 7 feet deep, so the hydrodynamics of a full displacement boat will bring up bottom debris. We had a handful of "clunks" but nothing serious. 3/4 of the way through this canal is a visitor center that we stopped at overnight. We watered up and got a good hike in. One of the things we observed were a few of the original stone mile markers with the mile number etched on the face. These are the original markers erected by George Washington's engineers 275 years ago.

Washington's mile markers

Pretty berries seen on our hike

After exiting the canal, we entered the Pasquotank River leading down to Elizabeth City on the north side of Albemarle Sound. We stayed over night at a free municipal dock, had a nice Grey Ghost ipa and wings at  a local pub, and left to do the Albemarle Loop. This is a path going around the circumference of the Albemarle Sound, counterclockwise. 

Next stop was the Albemarle Plantation Marina. These places are all basically free stops, no charge to stay, with both power and water hookups. Albemarle Plantation is a retirement community near Hertford. I've never seen so many golf carts in my life. All driven by old people. Lots of condos. We stayed 2 nights and had another good IPA. Met a nice couple on a big Chris Craft from Trenton, Ontario who expressed as much frustration with their government as I do with ours, vis a vis viral infections. Got a great hike in as well. Interesting placed we passed was Harvey Point, a restricted area. Turns out it is a place where the CIA and others do "stuff". 

Homes on our hike at the plantation

Long dock at Albemarle Plantation

Burntside docked at the Plantation

Looking out at the sound as we left

Next stop was Edenton, a really nice historical small NC town. We took the trolley tour, looked at a bunch of revolutionary war era homes and buildings. The municipal marina had a courtesy car, it was an old squad car, a Ford Crown Victoria. Really cool. Anyway, made a grocery run with the Crown Vic, and departed the next day.

Docked at Edenton with lighthouse in the background

Wings and beer at the Governor's Pub Edenton

The Crown Vic courtesy car

Toodle's mortuary cracked me up

Edenton Lighthouse

Edenton dock and lighthouse

                                        

Next stop was Plymouth, 5 miles up the Roanoke River. This town is pretty sad. Lots of closed store fronts and just looked poor. We hiked to the ABC liquor store and restocked. The next morning we planned on pumping out but had to delay an hour or so. This was Saturday morning and the bass tournament began at first light. Dozens of boats had to clear before we could get to the pump out station. 

Interesting restaurant on the hike to the liquor store, Plymouth, NC

Pretty church in Plymouth

Boat remnant at the Plymouth museum

Plymouth lighthouse

Sundown over the pulp plant, Plymouth

After storm at Plymouth dock

                                            

Docked at Plymouth

                                        

After getting that chore done we traveled most of the length of Ablemarle Sound to an anchorage just north of the Alligator River bridge. At this point we rejoin the Intercoastal Waterway and unfortunately the south bound migration of boats. This morning (Sunday) we are south bound on the ICW with a pack of boats behind us. 

Bridge that crosses the Albemarle sound

Sunset last night at the Alligator Bridge anchorage

We have made arrangements for storing the boat over the holidays at Lamb's Marina near Jacksonville and will fly home on November 17, in time to burn some brush and clean up ski trails before snow (I hope).