6-12-2011 Dowry Creek Marina

On June 9, 2011, we called Beaufort and made an appointment to have the generator repaired on Thursday.  Since we had a week, we decided to go to Manteo for a couple of days.  We left at 0930 and arrived after 28 miles at 1315.  Most of the time was spent dodging the millions of crabpots that are deployed in the sound.  It is so interesting that you can only catch crabs and fish in the middle of the channel. After pumping out, we settled into our slip as the wind shifted and the smoke from the Alligator Refuge fire descended on us.  Visibility was reduced to about 200 yards.  We called a taxi to take us to see The Lost Colony. But, when we arrived, they told us it was cancelled due to the smoke.  So, we rode the same cab back to the marina.  Total cost $26. 

On Saturday, we toured the Roanoke Museum, the English sailing ship the Elizabeth II, the settlement village and the gift shop.  This is a very nice museum with lots to see.  It will take all day to see it all.  Marinamates, Greta and Hans, friends of our neighbors Donald and Kim in SF, had a car and offered us a ride to see the Lost Colony.  This time, a success.  The play was fast paced, informative, and the costumes were spectacular.  No pictures as photos are not allowed in the theatre. 

On June 11, 2011 we left Manteo to go to Dowry Creek  Marina.  We travelled the inside route, back to Alligator River and the Pungo Canal to avoid any rough water on the Pamlico Sound.  Just after entering the Pungo canal, we saw a bear cub, about 4 feet in height, swimming across the canal.  On seeing us, he turned around and swam back to shore and disappeared into the brush. After 71 miles, we arrived at Dowry Creek at  1715.  It was the longest distance we've travelled in this boat in a single day.  This was a long day as we only average 9.0 mph.  In our previous boat this would have taken us only half as long!