Belhaven (sorta) Alligator River, Camden Lambs Marina

We left early Sunday morning for the long run to Belhaven. Tropical Storm Bonnie was supposed to give us very hard rain most of the day but no wind or thunder and lightening so we felt safe taking off. The 30 miles back down the Pamlico River seemed endless but we stayed relatively dry up on the bridge- except of course for runs to the galley or potty breaks! 

When we made the turn off the river, the rains really picked up so Dave decided to hang outside of the town breakwall until the rain let up a little. As soon as it did, we headed toward the town of Belhaven. As soon as we entered through the breakwall the heavens opened up. It was raining so hard it was difficult to even see where we were supposed to dock the boat. After discussing it, we decided to just anchor outside the channel in the harbor. We got the anchor down and the rain seemed to let up a little. But within 30 minutes the wind and the waves really picked up and we were getting slammed pretty hard. Dave and I both realized that we had very little protection where we were so we decided to move to another cove. But pulling up the anchor in the wind proved very difficult! It took almost 20 minutes to just get it up as I had to keep driving the boat just to keep it in  a position that Dave could pull up the anchor, Needless to say, it was pretty stressful. We moved to Pungo Creek to a much calmer, quieter anchorage and the rain seemed to magically stop. We had a very quiet night- thank heavens!

The next morning we left around eight with about a thousand of our closest bug friends. They were everywhere! We cleaned them off as best we could and the rains that day helped take off more of them. Yuck! We went passed Elizabeth City which is known as the Hospitality City on the River and headed further up the Pasquotank River for Camben and Lamb's Marina. Lamb's was reported to be a "hidden gem" so we decided we would give them a try. I had a lot of laundry backed up and we figured it would be a great place to catch up. While the Captain's Lounge was okay- there was only one working washer and one dryer. But I got to sit in the air conditioner and read as I did my four loads so that wasn't too bad! Thank heavens for the air conditioner because the mold in the place was pretty bad! The restaurant/diner connected to the marina also had a good reputation so we decided to give it a try. What a great surprise- food was excellent!

We headed back to the boat as there really wasn't anywhere to walk to or see as we were right off a main highway. As we were sitting up on the bridge enjoying what promised to be a beautiful sunset, Dave heard a truck run over one of the live aboards belongings out against the side road. He backed up and ran over the stuff again then got out and just stood by his truck! Then the shouting began. A woman across the fairway witnessed the whole thing and she started yelling. Then the man whose belongings had just been flattened finally came out of his sailboat. Then the knock out brawl began. I didn't see much as they just seemed to be rolling around on the ground. But Dave said there were quite a few punches being thrown. The police arrived as did an ambulance. The driver of the truck was given a sobriety test which I am sure he failed miserably and he was taken away in the police car. The sailboater must have been bleeding from his face and was fixed up in the ambulance and then released. All in all- lots of entertainment and a beautiful sunset!

Even when the weather is bad, there are beautiful sites.

Cruzin Turtle style

Pungo River sunset. Anchored in a crab pot mine field. Good thing Bets has the skills to get us out of here.

Its "Jammie Time" (can't touch this) on the bridge.

Sliding gracefully through root beer colored tannic water. 

Alligator River Swing Bridge that leads over to the Outer Banks. Thankfully there was very little wind as it will not open in winds greater than 30 knotts

100 miles to Norfolk. Just before the Alligator River bridge= depression on the bridge

These folks don't like boating as much as we do. Can you blame them. They are waiting for our slow butts to get through the bridge so it can shut and they can get on their way.

Blimp building

Just off the Elizabeth City Coast Guard Station. 

Heading into Elizabeth City. Not stopping this time. Lambs Marina is just a few miles up river.

This was a bit of  a surprise. They made a new bridge but kept the old one in place with the left span down. When we went through they only opened the right span. It was a little weird sliding by the bridge deck and looking out over it. It was pretty close.

Just another evening of goofing off. I am such a slug! Dave's words not mine!

Pretty gnarly looking railroad bridge.

Its hard to tell but these pictures as upside down. Sunset at Lambs Marina.