Alligator River to Dowry Creek, NC

November 5 - 8, 2012 Monday - Thursday

Sunshine was promised for the trip down the Alligator River.  The River was filled with boats rushing to their next port to shelter from the next "nor-easter" coming our way.  Our mornings have been cold.  The Captain and crew have lost their sense of humor with chilly travel.  The "nor-easter" is going be colder yet.
We moved along the Alligator River watching everyone hustle past our 5 kt "Chasseur", new friends Ladd and Denise Caine on S/V "Blue" were willing to hang back with us.  Over the VHF radio we heard sailors talking about black bears on the shore.  They gave specific land marks.  Suzanne rushed to get her camera and waited.  Soon we approached the landmarks and there they were, a couple of bears sitting in the sun (see photo).  A couple of nights later at a sailors social gathering in the marina clubhouse, everyone was talking with excitement about seeing the bears.  Suzanne had her computer with her and pulled the bear photo up.  Terry enlarged the photo to pass around for viewing.  The room erupted in laughter as we realized that the bears were not bears at all - they were black, burnt logs in a campfire.  We still laugh every time we think about it.
We have been in Dowry Creek for 3 nights at this writing, waiting for the wind to come down and for a little warmer temperatures.  We woke to 36 degrees Thursday morning.  All the sailors here are frustrated, not only is it cold but no one has phone service and the internet is marginal.  We take turns using the marina car to get to town....not much there.  We are pretty isolated.
Friday will bring a gradual warming with temperatures getting back to normal by Monday, 70 degrees!!!!!!!

"How 'bout dem bears?" Enlarge for a chuckle

Blue boat on right hard a ground, another sailor pulling her off.
Need to pay close attention to depth finder in narrow river.

No this is not snow, although it is cold enough . This is close up of cotton field in Belhaven, NC 

Morning in Dowry Creek