Edenton, NC

We made it!  We’ve been wanting to make this side trip up the Albemarle for a long time.  Edenton was the Colonial capitol of NC for a short time (1722-1743) and we’d heard and read lots of positive comments on the town’s historical preservation and charm.  We’d come just shy of 50nm from Elizabeth City…

6:15am – Looking back at the Elizabeth City waterfront.

I’m ready to lose that beanie and foulies for some warm weather!

…on a breeze that shifted and varied in strength but kept driving us forward at 5+ knots and sometimes upwards of 6.5.  The 10-15 knots forecast was more like 20+, so it’s good we were off-the-wind and coasting down waves instead of driving into them. 

On the Albemarle Sound, the waves are notoriously steep and close-together. 

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When we turned north into Edenton Bay, it was a 2nd reef affair; only briefly, though, before land and trees provided a welcome buffer.  By 4pm, we were tied up in Edenton Harbor where, as part of the Albemarle Loop, we’re afforded 48 hours’ free dockage.  The dockmaster welcomed us and gave us the combination for showers and access to water and electricity.  

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There’s a park and playground where everyone, it seems, comes to catch up, unwind, and take in the water view.  Dobbs and I were too worn out to do anything more than eat, shower, and go to bed, but we appreciated the gleeful sounds coming from shore.  The playground has a large xylophone for the children to play, which rings out soothing tones to the strains of their imaginations, while all around others scramble, swing, and shout.  An older man and his belle sat on a park bench, he wearing a captain’s hat and playing snippets of songs on a flugelhorn.  Dobbs and I gazed fondly at each other and kissed, knowing that same steadfast love.