Sunday 4/27 – Friday 5/2
Puffin departs Beaufort and resumes her northerly ICW track on Core Creek, then Adams Creek until arriving at the Neuse River, the widest river in the United States. With the weather cooperating,(the river can be very challenging otherwise), we decide to take a side-trip up the Neuse to New Bern to visit our looper friends, Doug and Kathie of m/v "Winnie W". New Bern, founded in 1710 is the second oldest town in North Carolina and features more than 450 historic sites registered on the National Register of Historic Places. Arriving at the Sheraton Hotel New Bern Marina late that afternoon, we again meet up with Transition & Honga and have a enjoyable evening aboard Honga for drinks and appetizers. The next day, Royce and I walk around town taking in some of those historic sites and that evening, all of us are invited for a wonderful dinner at Doug and Kathie's home in New Bern. Tuesday morning everyone departs New Bern and has a favorable weather trip back down the Neuse to the town of Oriental, N.C. After we anchor Puffin in the harbor adjacent to Oriental Marina (Mile 182), Royce and I dinghy in for a reunion with our Canadian looper friends, Joan and MaryLou of Catnip Too who were on their way back by car from their attendance at the Spring AGLCA(Looper) Rendezvous held in Charleston, S.C. Later that afternoon, all of the loopers gather for dinner at a local restaurant. Very early Wednesday morning, Puffin weighs anchor in hopes of lighter morning winds to continue down the wide Neuse River, but as we approach Maw Point Shoal in Pamlico Sound, we encounter uncomfortable conditions for several hours until we enter the shelter of the Pungo River, giving us calm passage until arriving at Dowry Creek Marina (Mile 132) where we take on fuel and water as well as showers for the crew. After anchoring Puffin a short way up the creek near the marina, we dinghy back to the marina to join our friends for happy hour. With a long day ahead of us, we along with our friends depart early morning to transit the relatively narrow, shallow but scenic Alligator River-Pungo River Canal until reaching the wide and deep Alligator River. Continuing on to the head of the Alligator River where it meets the infamous Albermarle Sound( can be very challenging to cross), we find a sheltered anchorage from the windy conditions up the Little Alligator River (Mile 82) for the evening. Puffin & crew decide to take the Dismal Swamp route to Norfolk, VA while our looper friends opt for the Virginia Cut path thru the Albermarle and Chesapeake Canal. At first light, the winds seem relatively light and with a moderate forecast of 10 to 15 knots, and a threat of a cold front creating deteriorating conditions for the upcoming days, all of us decide to go for it and cross the 14 miles of the often challenging body of water of Albermarle Sound. As we make our way across, the shallow depths and increasing winds begin to create rough and confused seas. The winds continue to increase well beyond the forecast, approaching 20 to 25 knots with higher gusts generating very knarly beam seas. By tacking along our course line, Puffin & crew survive the very rough crossing and get some relief as we enter the Pasquotank River. Although still very sloppy, we continue on until finally arriving at the calm harbor of Elizabeth City. (Mile 51) What A Relief!! After tying up at the free downtown docks at Mariner's Wharf, Royce and I celebrate our accomplishment and reward ourselves with delicious pastries at the local bakery.



Home & Dock along the creek




New Bern City Hall

Bradham's Pharmacy-Pepsi's beginning

Great Ol' New Bern Hardware Store

Dinner at Doug & Kathie's

Kickin' Back in Oriental

Royce & Jill at Dowry Creek Marina

Little Alligator Creek Anchorage

Blimp Hanger along the Windy Pasquotank River





Safely Tied at Elizabeth City