When Dobbs checked us in yesterday, he learned that there’d be festivities today, beginning at 11am. A long-anticipated passenger ferry service connecting the 5 towns of the Albemarle Loop was starting and each town was celebrating with a ribbon-cutting ceremony – today was Columbia’s.
A couple people from the municipal office began setting up tables and a podium; Carlos and David lended a hand wherever needed. Around 10:15am, we spotted the ferry coming up the river.
It landed at the wharf, adjacent to the slips. We met the captain and crew and swapped stories, hearing about the ride from Edenton in SW15-20 with gusts to 25 (exciting at the bridge, but otherwise not too bad). The cat-hulled vessel is equipped with jet drives that allow it to turn in its length, as well as a central foil for added stability. When they loaded townspeople aboard for a demo ride, a few empty seats remained and we were invited aboard. Boat ride!
The ferry is really impressive – comfy padded seats, floor mats, tables with cup holders, and a smooth ride compared to a monohull crew boat which it otherwise resembles.
Given the conditions on the sound and the fact that one of Columbia’s oldest residents was riding, the captain stuck to the river, which was still enough room to show off the boat’s capabilities.
I think about the potential for shoreline wake damage but, at a minimum, it shouldn’t be worse than what other powerboats do, and the cypress-studded banks appear to be a sturdy buffer. They already stand up to the waves rolling in off the Albemarle. These towns need tourist dollars and the hope is that the ferry will bring that.
At noon there was a ceremony in the town park.
Mayor Cahoon came by Grace to introduce himself. Speeches were made acknowledging the people who helped make the ferry system dream a reality and what it could do for the towns. Our hopes stand with them. Once the ribbon was duly cut…
…everyone was invited to partake of a luncheon spread – chicken salad and grapes, pimento cheese and crackers, fudge, cookies, cupcakes, and punch. Delightful!
In the afternoon, we took the self-guided walking tour of historic houses – 32 of them!
Then we retired to Grace for “putting up of feet” and dinner: linguine alfredo with shrimp and broccoli.
Sailing Gracefully 
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