April 13th – Elizabeth City, NC

Another early start trying to time the bridges. We got out and were followed shortly by the other southbound boat. We head to the first bridge where we had to wait 20 minutes or so. Not a big deal, but theres wind and a mild current and the canal is maybe 50 feet wide. So we pull donuts using a little reverse every now and then. The boat behind uses that damned thruster every 2 minutes. Can't quite figure what its being used for.

Anyway, the bridge opens to reveal a lock right behind it. We cruise and hand our lines to the crew. Then there's the “Urrrrrrrrr” of a bow-thruster behind and the other boat is trying to tie up, again without bumpers. They somehow manage to hook the rub-rail under a lip on the wall, its not pretty. The dock master helps and they eventually manage to wedge a solitary round bumper up against the wall. All we can do is watch this time as we hold our lines.

We come up just 2 or 3 feet in the lock. As soon as there's space I pull over and let the southbound boat pass. These guys have every night's stop between here and Florida already booked, so they are on a tight schedule, best let them go.

Its very pretty here, lots of trees and dense green foliage. The canal loses its straight lines as we join the Pasquotank river. Its prettier here, and is more swamp like with small cuts and creeks heading off to God knows where. We plough on through cypress trees seeing very few boats. We clear another lift bridge and suddenly we're in Elizabeth City. We find the city dock and struggle to get into a berth. Its those 4 pier type slip and I've picked one thats too big for the boat. Anyway, thank to the kindness of strangers we get in eventually.

Elizabeth City is a nice place to visit. We walked a lot, got fresh veggies, did some laundry and ate at “Groupers” a restaurant right at the city dock. Unfortunately, I had a my heart set on a grouper sandwich but for some reason there was no grouper on the menu. I settled for pasta. I still haven't forgiven them. Still the beer was good there.

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