The Further (from home) adventures of the
Sterling Lady
5/30/2011
We went to Southpoint today, and these three Lady's passed us.. JFK's boat, that he dated Marilyn on,,, and
AND THIS OL GIRL
The docks her are a bit rickety, but free if you eat here, and the food is cheap and really good.
Walked the town, took about half an hour, quaint town however.
In the park they had what they believe to be an  800 year old oak tree!!
Bill and Laura  from "Monkey Girl", have been hopscotching up the ICW with us. Tonite they joined us for Happy Hourz on the aft deck.
5/31/2011
The fake palm tree , parking meter, and umbrella is still in surf city.
Vicki, this picture is just for you!
Good news. Tonight we anchored in Mile Hammock basin, part of the Marine Base. Bad news, we need to be outa here at 6 AM , because they are doing Firing Exercises at 8 am which will will close the ICW till 12 noon. So tonite I am going to bed early.
The Marines are getting ready in the anchorage.
6/1/2011
UP and outa here at 5:45 am. There was smoke in the air, creating a strange sunrise.
As we passed the northern end of Camp LeJeune, the Navy was in postion to stop all traffic
Since we left so early, our 45 mile run to Morehead City was over by noon. They have a loaner car so we were off to Wally World, and then Laundry day, and we are WAY backed up on laundry!
At the local Restaurant , as we left, this dog was sitting the the camper, outside the front door, AC and generator running, standing up waiting and looking for "mommy"
6/2/2011
Twas a short 25 mile (4 hour) run to Oriental, a favorite stop along the ICW for us.

Tonite we stay at the FREE docks in Oriental. 



Today, technically, we where Rum Runners. We Bought 12 bottles of Bacarrdi ($50s a bottle in Canada, $19 here) and because we where in Morehead North Carolina, (yesterday) and had to fill out this form which I pledged I was taking this rum to the Erie Canal, I am a rum Runner.

And on a sadder note, North Carolina does NOT allow Happy HOurz.

Dang~!!
Nice small town, but hurting.
The day ended at Oriental Marina's Tiki Bar, with No Happy hour prices.. North Carolina does not allow them.
So we actually went to the Lady for a nite cap.
Even though it wasn't a real tiki bar, it did have some nice decorations!
Little flat though
6/3/2011
Left at Dawn, the NOAA forcast was totally wrong! Blowing gusting to 20 on the bow, went 7 miles to the nearest anchorage. By 10 we were safely anchored.
Spent the day basically vegging at anchor, hopefully tomorow am will get outa here!
6/4/2011
Outa this BOORING anchorage, (after 20 hours of waiting for the wind) and the God Of the Seas it with us, smooth sailing.
See what I mean!
Today was my kind of cruising day. Up at dawn, done by Noon. We are at Bellhaven N.C. Marina.
Belhaven, like most small towns, is pretty much Hurtin. More than half the store fronts were for rent..
As you can see, from Right to Left, the Police Station,  City Hall, and the Museum. The Museum is really well worth it, it had some really neat Stuff in it, like....
<---- A totally legal , used head for my boat. and....
Some turn of the century Thongs (not really, they wore these around their necks  over their blouses)-------->
and......

<------A for real, two headed pig... for real, and.....
A real human skeleton , and ...
A really Old Old school compass and sextant, and to tell you the truth, in the interest of Not offending anyone, a lot of other really Unusual, ( and some illegal in some states) stuff. 
I took pictures of it, but in the interest of not offending anyone, I did not post it here,
Good for me!!
Probably the neatest Museum I have been to.
In front of us tonite, was docked a Grand Banks with shiney new stainless rails. )no teak)
The owner told me , this was cheaper than  replacing with original.
Some of our Walk About.
6/7/2011
After 3 BOORING days in Belhaven, waiting for a mechanic (this is what happens when you break something on a Saturday in Belhaven) got an early start, went 4 miles to get some fuel at Dowery Creek Marina.
Today we travel the LONG straight canal of the Aligator River. Easy navigation, except for one thing., about half way thru the markers changes sides....
Unfortuantly for this boater, they did not know this.
Passed  "Pale Moon"   on their way south. Met them on the Loop in 09. The Cruising community is Very small!
When we entered the wide part of the aligator river, it was flat calm.
Tonite we sleep at Aligator River Marina. Nothing here but a Shell Station.
Our view from slip 11.
6/8/2011
After a pretty Rough ride across Albamarle Sound, (beam seas, 3 footers) we passed the Blimp base, as they were launching one up.
We arrived Elizabeth City about Noon, free docks, very boater friendly city.
Free docks are good!!
Our Million dollar view from the aft deck of our FREE dock!!
We are cruising to the Erie Canal , to avoid Hot Weather. Today , it's 95 degrees in Elizabeth City!!\
So far it's Not working so well!!!

If your ever in Elibebeth City, be sure and eat at Jackie's Dinner.
IT has a 3 stooges, harley davidson, 40's kind of atmosphere, and prices from the 60;s
6/9/2011
Caught the 9 am Elizabeth City bridge opening, and headed into the Dismal Swamp.
The further in we got, the narrower and twistyer this part of the Dismal became.
Kind of reminds me of Florida's St Johns River..
Wow!
Then we hit the man made straight part, and man was it ever straight!
Front View and...
Rear view, and Admiral Judy, in her favorite cruisinig spot doing her favorite cruising thing, talkin to Kimmer!