The next morning we continued down the Intracoastal Waterway, down the Bay River and into the Neuse River and stopped in Oriental NC.

US Coast Guard Station along the ICW:

Fishing boats along the ICW:

Fog on the ICW:

Bay River:

Oriental North Carolina:

One spot open on the free town dock:

Oriental is great and we will be here until Thursday morning. We are going to relax, catch up on some sleep and enjoy the local community. Our next stop will be in Beaufort NC. From Beaufort we are trying to decide whether to stay in the ICW or go “outside” into the Atlantic for our next destination, Wrightsville Beach/Wilmington NC.

There is a harbor webcam in Oriental that looks over the town dock. Probably can’t see much until daylight but here is the link:

http://towndock.net/harborcam

See you soon!

We departed the Alligator River, headed down the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal, down the Pungo River, crossed the Pamlico River, down Goose Creek and off the Intracoastal into Campbell Creek.

Alligator River-Pungo River Canal:

Salvage?

Anchored Campbell Creek:

Another peaceful anchorage!

We are behind documenting our journey because we have been in some pretty remote areas. Our stop in the Alligator River did not even have cell service. We spent one night in Elizabeth City NC, crossed the Albemarle Sound and headed down the Alligator River. Fairly uneventful trip.

Blimp Hangar, leaving Elizabeth City:

Crossing Albemarle Sound:

Approaching Alligator River swing bridge:

Passed by a classic motor yacht “Enticer”:

Bear Point anchorage on the Alligator River:

We had a very peaceful night!

Just past the Gilmerton Bridge is the dividing point on the Intracoastal Waterway, straight Virginia Cut, right Dismal Swamp. The Virginia Cut is quicker and more developed with more available amenities. The Dismal Swap route is a bit longer but more scenic with almost no services. We made a hard turn to starboard and headed down The Dismal Swamp:

Small house on the Dismal Swamp:

We had to go through two locks, the first is Deep Creek Lock. The lock raises you up about 8 feet so you can continue down the swamp canal:

Lock doors opening:

Flooding the lock:

Up and out of the lock:

Then through Deep Creek Bridge. The bridge is run by the same person that operates the lock. Once the lock is closed he drives to the bridge and opens it:

Southbound on the Dismal Swamp Canal:

Old canal superintendent’s house:

We were not able to make it to the North Carolina Visitor’s Center by nightfall, a usual stop on the canal, so we pulled over and tied up to an old bridge abutment. The owner came out and greeted us, took a picture of our boat, and told us we were welcome to stay the night.