April 25, 2009 - Elizabeth City, NC

We started before sunup for our planned long day, and watched the sun rise over the Pungo Alligator Canal and our friends on the boat Tautaug.










The Alligator River is long and very wide. Right in the middle of the river, at a point about 2 ½ miles wide, they have built this bridge with swinging center section, through which we passed.










After crossing Albemarle Sound, we entered the Pasquotank River, and passed by this dirigible hanger left over from World War II, which now houses a blimp-building firm.

Just up the coast is the largest Coast Guard command in the nation, the renowned Elizabeth City Station. This is where many Atlantic air-sea rescue missions originate.





Elizabeth City, on the Inner Banks of the Albemarle Sound, has been named “One of America’s Best Small Towns.” The waterfront is billed as the “Harbor of Hospitality” and we found the locals very friendly, as we spent the afternoon and night at the free town dock. Many folks just stopped by to chat.







Monarch was about as large as they could handle, and you can see how far we stuck out beyond the outer pilings.











A community sponsor had paid for each slip, with a commemorative plaque in the brick walk along the water.











We did a walkabout through the historic downtown. This was the Robinson House, a beautiful turn of the century mansion.











And another, from the late 1800’s.













We visited the Albemarle Museum, a beautiful new facility that commemorates the rich history of the area.











This boat, suspended from the ceiling of the museum’s lobby, is the type used for generations, to fish for shad – hence its name Shad Boat. It has been named North Carolina’s official state boat.

April 24, 2009 - Pungo Creek, NC

This evening found us in Pungo Creek after a long day of 101 nautical miles. The weather was perfect for our trip.



We approached our anchorage and saw Tautag, a Nordhaven trawler we had first seen in Elizabeth Harbor, Great Exumas, Bahamas, and had met the owners on Sand Dollar Beach, doing yoga with Marlene Bihlmeyer and Marty, many mile ago.

It was a pleasant anchorage, with winds dropping for good sleeping.

April 22, 2009 - Pipeline Creek, NC

We started on the high tide, which would soon be on its way, way down.












As we passed some upscale yet rural developments, we were surprised to see some side creeks fenced off. Apparently, they don’t want riff raff coming by in their rowboats!

Today was a day for bridge issues! The Socastee Swing Bridge delayed us for 15 minutes with maintenance issues, before we crossed into North Carolina.





Here the Intracoastal is very narrow, and at low tide we saw the rocks cropping out from the sides. This area is named the “Rockpile” and could cause significant damage to boaters who stray!









Then we lost 30 minutes at the Sunset Beach Pontoon Bridge, which couldn’t open due to low tide. There was quite a back up at the pontoon bridge when it opened.










We waved our last goodbye to the pontoon bridge tender, as a new high-rise bridge is under construction, and will replace it soon.











We saw evidence of the low tide, as this green can is high and almost dry!

We anchored for the night in Pipeline Canal, a small and popular anchorage. Here, we celebrated Jerry’s birthday with steak, Caesar salad and freshly made rhubarb pie with a candle in it!

April 21, 2009 - Thoroughfare Creek, SC

With an early wake-up call, we were underway from the Zender’s dock before 7:00 a.m.


The creek was a mirror, and as we were outbound, we passed several sailboats tucked up near the creek’s mouth. One of these boats we had seen in George Town, Exumas, Bahamas, over 700 miles ago!















Looking back, with the marsh grass obscuring the creek’s surface, they appeared to be sitting in a field of grass.











At high tide, the banks are awash, with lovely live oaks draped with Spanish moss.












At first the shoreline had working boat yards.














Then, on to Charleston, where the elegant historic homes of the battery lined the Intracoastal Waterway.











Contrast that with the ultra-modern Charleston Bridge.












And across the bay in the distance, historic Fort Sumter.












We see why this is called “Low Country.” The land is barely above sea level, and you might be able to make out the lighthouse, miles away in this photo.










We proceeded with caution in the Minim Canal, and this small car ferry darted across just after we had passed.











The night’s anchorage was quiet and secure in Thoroughfare Creek, just ¼ mile off the Intracoastal Waterway.

April 23, 2009 - Monarch's Bahamas Top Ten

Monarch’s Bahamas Top Ten List – Why we love the Bahamas

Number 10

Great location to pick up our friends who flew in – or out.

Number 9

Sweet Bahamian bread, complete with a hug from “Mom.”

Number 8

Beach pubs, including Pete’s in Little Harbor, Abacos. No shoes or shirts required – come as you are, even wet (Janet)!

Number 7

Open air worship services on wooden benches at the George Town Beach Church on Stocking Island, Exumas.

Number 6

Fabulous sunsets.

Number 5

Excellent rescue training of Monarch’s crew. Quick thinking saves the Queen of Diamonds, and our cribbage season.

Number 4

Exotic music, including Brown Tip’s Rake and Scrape at Mangoes Marina and Restaurant, Marsh Harbor, Abacos.

Number 3

Twilight launch of the Space Shuttle, with our Marsh Harbor dock the perfect place to watch. [NASA file photo, but it looked just like this!]

Number 2

Exotic food – caught, cleaned and cooked by Marty and Janet. Janet’s batter was the best!

Number 1

The beautiful clear blue water.

April 19-20, 2009 - Zender's Dock, SC

We rose early, eager to get to our next stop, at friends Matt and Diane Zender’s dock on the Tom Point River, just ½ hour off the Intracoastal Waterway. We arrived in time to entertain them aboard with hamburgers for dinner and a great opportunity to catch up on all the news.



They have an excellent deep-water dock, which we shared with their boat “Outcast.”













Matt supervised Jerry at his boat chores.



















Jerry devised a pole to mount on the bow, to check bridge heights on the upcoming canals in New York state. It will function as a sort of “curb feeler.”















They have a beautiful timber frame home, with lots of land full of live oaks draped with Spanish moss. We spent two nights here enjoying their hospitality.

April 17-18, 2009 - Hilton Head Island, SC

Today we arrived at the South Carolina Yacht Club on Hilton Head Island. It is a pretty club, situated in Windmill Harbor. We passed through a lock to enter the harbor, which gives them excellent hurricane surge protection.









We docked right in front of the clubhouse for two nights.












The interior of the clubhouse is appropriately nautical in décor.

















We had dinner here the first night, and enjoyed it immensely.












Every design feature of the club is just right; for instance, this intricate wood inlaid compass rose in the floor.












We enjoyed a beautiful morning at the dock, and we were invited to have dinner at Sue Schlitt’s home on the island. Her children, Annie and Jeff, Jeff’s wife Jenny and three grandchildren were visiting. We remember when Annie and Jeff were just youngsters.