Belhaven Marina…and the Angry Albemarle

07 Saturday Jul 2018

Posted by “Oh Captain My Captain” in Marinas

Tags

Albemarle Sound, Alligator River Marina, Ashley Yachts, Belhaven, BIG TUNA, Boats, Chesapeake Bay, Columbia NC, Corona, Cruising, Dog, ICW, Mainship, Mainship 34T, Marinas, NC, Nor'Easter, Scenic beauty, Slow Dance, Solitude, Soundings, Trawler, Weather day

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Today is our first “weather” day of the trip. Our friend, Steve Earnhardt says, “there are old sailors, and there are bold sailors, but there are no old, bold sailors.” We were warned about the potential for the winds on the Albemarle and other North Carolina sounds. This morning we awoke to the Nor’easter winds’ fury across the Albemarle – and we’re in the reasonably protected harbor of the Alligator River Marina. Barring an unforeseen break in the weather, Slow Dance will spend the next couple of days “waltzing” on her ropes, here at the marina.

Belhaven, NC.

The Belhaven Marina was our first experience with “fixed finger piers” vs. floating docks. I’m happy to say that Kate adapted well to “fixed,” which was a good thing, since so may Eastern NC and Chesapeake Bay marinas have “fixed” finger pier dock systems.

Kate the Mate’s “happy place”

I have to admit that when I first pulled into the Belhaven Marina, I had reservations about making reservations there for the night. The minute the marina’s general manager, Gregg Baker met us at the dock, my concerns began to evaporate. To me, it’s an old style, neighborhood, small town kind of marina. Its ambiance, along with Gregg’s service and hospitality, and the marina’s amenities resulted in it achieving the Marinas.com Boaters’ Choice Award in 2017. No marina we’ve ever visited had more personal touch than Belhaven.

Two marina bath/showers with Navy and maritime decor

Complimentary bath towels
Complimentary soap, shampoo, and lotion
Complimentary use of washer and dryer
Down home ambiance
A marina that far exceeds customer service expectations!

We left looking forward to our next visit to the marina and Belhaven.

Leaving Belhaven, next stop, Alligator River Marina

With the exception of one storm cloud, our trip from Belhaven to Columbia, NC and the Alligator River Marina was beautiful and uneventful. Some of eastern North Carolina’s rivers are so expansive you begin to wonder if you’ve ventured into the Atlantic. From Beaufort, we cruised parts of the Neuse, Pamlico, Alligator Rivers, as well as the Alligator River – Pungo River Canal — a 20-mile long “ditch” connecting the Pungo and Alligator Rivers.

Entering the long, straight, scenic canal

Overnight or over-weekend, that is the question! Go away wind and whitecaps!

At least we have something in common with the other three cruisers in the marina. Chesapeake, we — Slow Dance, Ocean Dancer, Spirit, and Grace will be there…sooner or later!

Fair-er winds and following seas

Historic Seaport Beaufort, NC

06 Friday Jul 2018

Posted by “Oh Captain My Captain” in Destinations

≈ 2 Comments

If not for family, friends, and our new home, I could easily be living on the North Carolina coast — and probably in Beaufort. When we moved back to NC in 1989, I figured we’d one day retire to the NC coast. BUT, THAT was before Kristin graduated UNC, moved back to Charleston, married Bobby, and gave us three grandchildren! So much for post-retirement planning!

But, back to cruising! From Beaufort to Belhaven there’s so much inland open waters you would at times swear you were heading into the ocean.

Since we would be leaving Beaufort early the day after her July 4th birthday, I gave Carolyn her birthday present – an inflatable kayak – early, so she could enjoy paddling Taylor’s Creek and over to the Rachel Carson Reserve across from the marina.

I was skeptical of inflatable kayaks, but her new Sea Eagle Tandem is awesome! Whether she’s kayaking alone or we’re together, the thing tracks beautifully, even in wind and a strong tide.

Beaufort Docks always has beautiful flowers on the fence above the bulkhead, but this year the American flags in each arrangement made them twice as beautiful.

While dockside buildings block the actual sunrise at Beaufort Docks this time of year, the sun’s illumination of clouds over Taylor’s Creek and the ocean, can be stunning. And the same can be said about sunsets.

Talk about patriotism on Independence Day, how many communities across America actually host a parade! And how many American Independance Day parades include an old London Transportation Authority bus. Wonder if our British friends would see the irony?

7:38AM, Thursday, July 5, 2018. After one birthday and four nights in Beaufort, it’s time to cruise at sunrise. Thanks for the memories, Beaufort, NC. See you next year.