At the southern end of the Great Dismal Swamp is the delightful small town of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Elizabeth City, as a stopover for recreational boaters, is almost entirely dependent upon the Great Dismal Swamp remaining a viable and fun option for boaters heading north or south. There is a large Coast Guard station there and a blimp factory.
The docks are situated right next to downtown. The people could not be more friendly and accomodating. All sorts of people wander by and love to hear where you're from and where you are going. A couple of WWII vets stop by each morning to see if there is anything you need. The grocery store has a free van to and from the store. We took advantage of that and stocked up on groceries. For five bucks, you can shower at the local fitness center. Well worth the five spot. We met some new friends from Burlington, VT. Hearty souls who have been living on their sailboat full time for the past six years. They were doing some work on the top of their mast and took a picture of the mighty Gratitude.
Elizabeth City bills itself as the "Harbor of Hospitality." Our experience there certainly supports that claim. We enjoyed the stop. Next stop is the Outer Banks and Roanoke Island and Ocracoke Island.
2 comments:
Hi there, so happy to see that you are having a great trip and are on your way South. How far are you planning on going? We are leaving for Marathon, fl around the 2nd of November. Hope we can meet up with you sometime this Winter! Cheers, Bruce and Esther
I'm glad you had a good visit to Elizabeth City. After hitting several logs in the swamp I stopped to be greeted by two homeless men who offered to help with lines. I figured they wouldn't know what they were doing so I said "No thanks" As I tied up they lingered. They asked for money as soon as I left the boat. When I ignored them they became, shall we say, intimidating? I no longer left safe leaving the boat there so we left.
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