Oriental, NC to Elizabeth City, NC

We left Oriental on Saturday and had a nice sailing day to the Pungo River where we anchored for the night just before the entrance to the the Alligator River-Pungo River Canal.  The next day we were able to motor sail the canal then sail as soon as we were out of the canal.  We anchored for the night in the Little Alligator River and had an Easter dinner of ham, potoatoes, green beans, and a salad.  I missed the green egg that my mother always makes for me at Easter (she may have read Green Eggs and Ham to me one too many times).

Monday we had a great sail to Elizabeth City past the blimp hangers.  Most of the blimps made in the U.S. are made here.  The hanger is enormous and can be seen for miles.  Until about 5 or 6 years ago the largest wooden building in the country was next to the hanger, but it burned down in a spectacular fire.

Elizabeth City's motto is "hospitality harbor" and it lives up to its name.  There is a free dock for cruisers in the heart of downtown.  The Rose Buddies throw a wine and cheese party anytime there are at least five boats tied up at the dock.  We were lucky enough to be here for the first party of the season.  In 1983 Fred Fearing and Joe Kramer decided to host a party for mariners.  Joe clipped roses from his garden to give to the ladies and a tradition was born.  Sadly both Fred and Joe have passed away but their friends are carrying on the tradition.  Joe's roses have been transplanted to the park by the docks and they still hand out roses.

Everyone that we have met in Elizabeth City has been very friendly and helpful. The Chamber of Commerce sent two representatives to the Rose Buddy get together.  The grocery store will send a driver to pick up cruisers at the dock.  The shopkeepers ask if there is anything in town that we need to find and if they can be of help.  People walking down the street always say hello and smile. There are benches along the waterfront and we have met quite a few people who have stopped to look at the boats.  Even the model dressed as Wonder Woman who wanted to use some of the boats as a background for her photoshoot was very nice.  Bill was disappointed that she decided to use a trawler and a larger sailboat instead of RONDO but he was still a gentleman and helped her on and off the other boats.