North Carolina - Decisions..Decisions

Our North Carolina entry. Our trip in North Carolina was full of decisions. There are several alternate routes. We chose the main routes and the Dismal Swamp Route. Our first stop in North Carolina was at the Carolina Beach. Carolina Beach is a town along the Cape Fear River. Carolina Beach Boardwalk offers shops and restaurants. It was a nice stop. We walked to the beach with Sylvie and Luc. It's has a drive on beach. I have a picture from the road and then the beach. We were surprised by the number of people on it. Sylvie and Luc tried walking on water. We weren't so brave.

We continued into town. We had a nice meal at the Sea Witch, then we walked back. It was nice to get some physical activity in. It isn't always possible while Looping.

We drove on the next day to Beaufort. It was a nice old town. It was established in 1709. It is the third oldest town in North Carolina. It is lined with beautiful historical homes. There is a great maritime museum there. Most impressive were the antique boats in the water.

Our boat neighbour at the marina was a 75ft beauty. Can you see her nose protruding past ours?

We had dinner at the marina restaurant. They had live music and that was nice too. We could still hear it from our boat since we were so close. The next day we left early. It was too early for the bridge. Instead of waiting, we turned around and went for the other bridge. It was supposed to be open unless there was a train coming. It was closed. We waited 45 minutes. We had a little show while waiting. The coast guard boarded a boat. Not sure what they wanted but it was entertaining.

We spent the night at Looper friends who live off the loop. They live in a picturesque wilderness area. They had room for both boats at their dock. We had docktails in their beautiful home. We saw their new to them Rosborough and new truck to tow it.

After watching a beautiful sunrise, off we went for a nice anchorage. As we neared it, we changed our plans when we drove thru a swarm of deer and horse flies. Luc said he had enough to make a pie. We aren't ready for this. We went to Alligator River Marina. It is at the foot of a 2.8 mile long bridge. We slept under the bridge again. It was a great truck stop. Not much here, but they claum that alligators don't go north of there. A strange and comforting claim to fame but, they have good fried chicken, generous amounts of ice cream and an inexpensive breakfast.

We took the alternate route towards the Dismal Swamp with a stop in Elizabeth City. They offer free dock the harbour front. We met other Loopers and future Loopers. We learnt that other Loopers call us the Britt Brothers. While there, we were invited to docktails and given a rose by a welcome committee. The town is trying to keep a tradition. They were trying to sell us on the Albermarle Loop. It is a two week loop. Another time.

Early the next morning, we crossed two bridges and arrived early for the first lock so we could enter the Dismal Swamp. We had an hour to wait, so we took out the barbecue and made fresh burgers while we waited. It was a nice change from sandwiches for lunch.

It was our first lock since January, so a bit of tweeking needed. All went well. The lock master told us about incoming hazards down the 22 miles of the Dismal Swamp.

We passed the Welcome Center off HWY 17. It was a nice overnight stop but were trying to beat the 350 kayakers expected in the morning. They will close the canal for a couple of hours for this annual event.

From there we crossed State lines into Virginia. I will tell you about this on my next blog. For now I'm leaving you with my favorite poem written in 1916 by Robert Frost. North Carolina reminds me of this poem. So many decisions to make to basically get to the same place. Also here is our map so far.

The Road Not Taken BY ROBERT FROST Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.