Crossing the Albemarle Sound to Elizabeth City, NC

Well, today started out with the crossing of Albemarle Sound. We'd been waiting a couple of days for better weather and it was decided that this was our best bet unless we waited until Tuesday. Next time we'll wait til Tuesday, as I ended up nauseated and crying from the rough trip across. Then, when the captain failed to adequately sympathize with my dislike for the adventure of crossing the sound under these circumstances, I ended up locking myself in the forward cabin and thinking about letting him dock the boat alone. Thankfully, said captain was quick to realize that it might be in his best interest to reconsider the situation, knocked pleasantly on the door, uttered some niceties, and all was right with the world again. See COMMUNICATION does work!

We docked in Elizabeth City at the town's complimentary tie up and walked around to see the historic district. I stopped to smell the roses and Scott posed on the roots of this amazing tree for me. He's very cooperative with my picture taking whims. I fell in love with this amazing 1902 Victorian style home with an overgrown yard full of all kinds of greenery: roses, daphne, hostas, dogwoods, magnolias, azaleas, rhododendrons, ferns, may apples, camellias, and many more beautiful plants. I felt transported into "The Secret Garden" as I trespassed into the backyard where an old small manmade pond was under an arbor covered with an unknown assortment of vines. It was an enchanting place and it was empty and for sale. (Even Scott was slightly impressed with it and you guys know that is not his thing.)

We went back to the boat and decided to get in a better place for the night as a storm was a'brewing for tomorrow and we needed a more protected spot. After relocating and getting settled, I went back with Duffy on the bikes and met the neighbors who told me where the owner lived (down about 4 blocks). Well, next thing you know, I am touring the house which had many neat features like french doors and hardwood floors and attic rooms and a basement workshop. The owners, Warren and Carol Ellis, were so nice and had bought it from the original family 18 years ago. They had a picture of it from its early days and showed us the paper that gave it National Registry of Historic Places status. Gus Etheridge, the designated dockmaster for the town, aka 'Mouth of the South ' (his words not mine) offered to buy the house for me if I'd jump ship, but since I had already made up with the captain, I decided to pass on his generous offer. Gus is one of those local characters who knows the rich history of an area. He has a home here and out on the Outer Banks (known as OBX in these parts) and has been a part of the local goings-on all his adult life. This was a friendly town and I hope we have many more like it on this journey....