Belhaven NC to Elizabeth City NC

We left Belhaven NC from Dowery Creek Marina with 5 mph winds out of the NNE. It was sunny and the temperature was 48 degrees. 

Our goal was to get past the Alligator River Swing Bridge, which was reported to be intermittently out of order. Wind is always a consideration for boaters and swing bridges will not open in high wind conditions. Today's wind's were normal and not an issue. They were blowing no greater than 10 miles per hour. 

This bridge is at the mouth of the Alligator River which leads to the crossing of the Albemarle Sound. The crossing can be rough, if weather conditions are not right. We had an easy passage with only 1 or 2 foot waves. 

Our biggest issue, during the crossing, was the never ending string of crab pots that had to be avoided.  A crab pot line around a propeller can stop a boat. 

Another adventure today was our boarding by the USCG. No, we weren't speeding. The Coast Guard boarding on the Pasquotank River was a " courtesy inspection". They checked all our documents and placards and equipment. We passed with flying colors. We received the Gold Sheet!!!

After the crossing we pulled into Pelican Marina. We will let the pictures of our assigned slip speak for themselves. 

We could only stay at Pelican Marina one night as this slip was reserved by another vessel for the following night. This was a stroke of luck for us.

The next night tornado watches and warnings turned into a tornado touch down with 70 mile an hour winds in Elizabeth City. Our decision to move to Lamb's Marinas was a good one. We hear the trawler that took our place in the slip at Pelican Marina, had its swim platform ripped off in the storm. No harm came to any people and plans are underway to repair the boat. 

Of course each marina offers it's own unique challenges. Jack had to do his first stern in docking at Lamb's Marina.

The next day we rented a car and took a day trip to Kitty Hawk N. C. to visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial that

commemorates the site of the first sustained flight in a heavier-than-air machine made by Wilbur and Orville Wright on December 17, 1903.