North Carolina Cruising Bluffs, Beaches, Bears, and Beaver
Edenton NC is a good place to start exploring Albemarle Sound as well as the Chowan, Roanoke, and Cashie Rivers. There are 2 good ramps there: Midway on the Sound & Edenhouse on the Chowan River. The forecast had NW winds on Friday & NE winds Saturday so I launched at the Edenhouse next to US 17. It is well lighted & has a restroom. The Chowan River flows N-S so I had long tacks back & forth across the river to reach the mouth of Keel Creek . I had dropped down to a double reef and jib by the time I reached the Creek. It appears that at one time the peninsula guarding the creek’s mouth reached ½ mile further south than it does now because the river nearby is studded with cypress stumps and large logs. In good light most are easily spotted. Several barely awash were marked with red/white PVC pipes. However, since this was a new area I dropped sails and slowly motored in to a very sheltered anchorage in the cypress swamp. Whereas the river still had whitecaps the anchorage was flat as glass. While relaxing 30 yards from shore I was surprised by a black bear climbing a nearby tree where he proceeded to bat the Spanish Moss on its limbs for a half hour or so. At the same time a second bear calmly walked along the shore. Later in the evening I noticed a disturbance in the water which appeared to be getting closer to the boat. In the twilight it was difficult to see what was making the set of ripples slowly approaching the boat. With my binoculars I was finally able to make out a face. Turned out to be a beaver that made a half circle around my anchorage. Saturday brought a light wind in the creek which allowed me to reach out at ¾ knot while eating breakfast. In the river winds were 8-9 knots for the first hour then died to 3-4 knots. This was good for a slow sail a few hundred feet from d shore most of the way back. Didn’t go very fast but did not need to do more 5 or 6 tacks in the 12 NM home.
Thanks Michael. Really enjoyed your report. Bill Wickett
On Apr 29, 2015, at 7:39 AM, Michael Murphy <paulaandmike48@gmail.com> wrote:
Edenton NC is a good place to start exploring Albemarle Sound as well as the Chowan, Roanoke, and Cashie Rivers. There are 2 good ramps there: Midway on the Sound & Edenhouse on the Chowan River. The forecast had NW winds on Friday & NE winds Saturday so I launched at the Edenhouse next to US 17. It is well lighted & has a restroom.
The Chowan River flows N-S so I had long tacks back & forth across the river to reach the mouth of Keel Creek . I had dropped down to a double reef and jib by the time I reached the Creek. It appears that at one time the peninsula guarding the creek’s mouth reached ½ mile further south than it does now because the river nearby is studded with cypress stumps and large logs. In good light most are easily spotted. Several barely awash were marked with red/white PVC pipes.
However, since this was a new area I dropped sails and slowly motored in to a very sheltered anchorage in the cypress swamp. Whereas the river still had whitecaps the anchorage was flat as glass. While relaxing 30 yards from shore I was surprised by a black bear climbing a nearby tree where he proceeded to bat the Spanish Moss on its limbs for a half hour or so. At the same time a second bear calmly walked along the shore.
Later in the evening I noticed a disturbance in the water which appeared to be getting closer to the boat. In the twilight it was difficult to see what was making the set of ripples slowly approaching the boat. With my binoculars I was finally able to make out a face. Turned out to be a beaver that made a half circle around my anchorage.
Saturday brought a light wind in the creek which allowed me to reach out at ¾ knot while eating breakfast. In the river winds were 8-9 knots for the first hour then died to 3-4 knots. This was good for a slow sail a few hundred feet from d shore most of the way back. Didn’t go very fast but did not need to do more 5 or 6 tacks in the 12 NM home.
Michael,Is there a safe place to park your truck and trailer while cruising here? On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 6:39 AM, Michael Murphy <paulaandmike48@gmail.com> wrote:
Edenton NC is a good place to start exploring Albemarle Sound as well as the Chowan, Roanoke, and Cashie Rivers. There are 2 good ramps there: Midway on the Sound & Edenhouse on the Chowan River. The forecast had NW winds on Friday & NE winds Saturday so I launched at the Edenhouse next to US 17. It is well lighted & has a restroom.
The Chowan River flows N-S so I had long tacks back & forth across the river to reach the mouth of Keel Creek . I had dropped down to a double reef and jib by the time I reached the Creek. It appears that at one time the peninsula guarding the creek’s mouth reached ½ mile further south than it does now because the river nearby is studded with cypress stumps and large logs. In good light most are easily spotted. Several barely awash were marked with red/white PVC pipes.
However, since this was a new area I dropped sails and slowly motored in to a very sheltered anchorage in the cypress swamp. Whereas the river still had whitecaps the anchorage was flat as glass. While relaxing 30 yards from shore I was surprised by a black bear climbing a nearby tree where he proceeded to bat the Spanish Moss on its limbs for a half hour or so. At the same time a second bear calmly walked along the shore.
Later in the evening I noticed a disturbance in the water which appeared to be getting closer to the boat. In the twilight it was difficult to see what was making the set of ripples slowly approaching the boat. With my binoculars I was finally able to make out a face. Turned out to be a beaver that made a half circle around my anchorage.
Saturday brought a light wind in the creek which allowed me to reach out at ¾ knot while eating breakfast. In the river winds were 8-9 knots for the first hour then died to 3-4 knots. This was good for a slow sail a few hundred feet from d shore most of the way back. Didn’t go very fast but did not need to do more 5 or 6 tacks in the 12 NM home.
The Midway Ramp is the site of an old commercial boathouse converted to apartments. I talked to a resident and he said that the area is patrolled regularly since there are several businesses in the area with outdoor storage. The parking lot has a street light that I usually park under. The site is also used by commercial fisherman who are in and out at early hours so somebody is around most of the time. Very good access to the Albemarle Sound and and three of the best sheltered anchorages in the east end. The Yeopim River is 12 NM to the east; Kendrick Creek 5 miles SSW; and Edenton's free public docks/showers 7 NM NW. The Edenhouse ramp on the Chowan River is always very well lighted and next to the US 17 high-rise bridge. The access road road ends at a nearby condo complex and a commercial shipping facility. Lots of joggers, bikers and walkers use the access road to go to the river. It is popular with local sport fishermen. This ramp leads to sheltered anchorage at Salmon Creek (3 NM) Keel Creek (12 NM) , Edenton (6 NM) or the "bridges" (1 NM). The "bridges" is a unique spot. Old swing bridges and RR bridges from around the eastern rivers have been barged here for scrapping or recycling. Some are used as fishing piers. When I was there 3 years ago I counted 7 bridges nestled into the cypress trees or at landings. . Both ramps are Wildlife agency ramps and they don't mind overnight parking. The Albemarle and its rivers are a great place to cruise. Depending on the WX forecasts you can choose the East-West Sound or any of the six North-South tending rivers. Five towns offer overnight docking; three have free showers. Cheers. On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 2:06 PM, Thomas Buzzi <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
Michael,Is there a safe place to park your truck and trailer while cruising here?
On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 6:39 AM, Michael Murphy <paulaandmike48@gmail.com> wrote:
Edenton NC is a good place to start exploring Albemarle Sound as well as the Chowan, Roanoke, and Cashie Rivers. There are 2 good ramps there: Midway on the Sound & Edenhouse on the Chowan River. The forecast had NW winds on Friday & NE winds Saturday so I launched at the Edenhouse next to US 17. It is well lighted & has a restroom.
The Chowan River flows N-S so I had long tacks back & forth across the river to reach the mouth of Keel Creek . I had dropped down to a double reef and jib by the time I reached the Creek. It appears that at one time the peninsula guarding the creek’s mouth reached ½ mile further south than it does now because the river nearby is studded with cypress stumps and large logs. In good light most are easily spotted. Several barely awash were marked with red/white PVC pipes.
However, since this was a new area I dropped sails and slowly motored in to a very sheltered anchorage in the cypress swamp. Whereas the river still had whitecaps the anchorage was flat as glass. While relaxing 30 yards from shore I was surprised by a black bear climbing a nearby tree where he proceeded to bat the Spanish Moss on its limbs for a half hour or so. At the same time a second bear calmly walked along the shore.
Later in the evening I noticed a disturbance in the water which appeared to be getting closer to the boat. In the twilight it was difficult to see what was making the set of ripples slowly approaching the boat. With my binoculars I was finally able to make out a face. Turned out to be a beaver that made a half circle around my anchorage.
Saturday brought a light wind in the creek which allowed me to reach out at ¾ knot while eating breakfast. In the river winds were 8-9 knots for the first hour then died to 3-4 knots. This was good for a slow sail a few hundred feet from d shore most of the way back. Didn’t go very fast but did not need to do more 5 or 6 tacks in the 12 NM home.
Thanks, Michael, for this information. Tom B On Thu, Apr 30, 2015 at 5:33 AM, Michael Murphy <paulaandmike48@gmail.com> wrote:
The Midway Ramp is the site of an old commercial boathouse converted to apartments. I talked to a resident and he said that the area is patrolled regularly since there are several businesses in the area with outdoor storage. The parking lot has a street light that I usually park under. The site is also used by commercial fisherman who are in and out at early hours so somebody is around most of the time. Very good access to the Albemarle Sound and and three of the best sheltered anchorages in the east end. The Yeopim River is 12 NM to the east; Kendrick Creek 5 miles SSW; and Edenton's free public docks/showers 7 NM NW.
The Edenhouse ramp on the Chowan River is always very well lighted and next to the US 17 high-rise bridge. The access road road ends at a nearby condo complex and a commercial shipping facility. Lots of joggers, bikers and walkers use the access road to go to the river. It is popular with local sport fishermen. This ramp leads to sheltered anchorage at Salmon Creek (3 NM) Keel Creek (12 NM) , Edenton (6 NM) or the "bridges" (1 NM).
The "bridges" is a unique spot. Old swing bridges and RR bridges from around the eastern rivers have been barged here for scrapping or recycling. Some are used as fishing piers. When I was there 3 years ago I counted 7 bridges nestled into the cypress trees or at landings. .
Both ramps are Wildlife agency ramps and they don't mind overnight parking. The Albemarle and its rivers are a great place to cruise. Depending on the WX forecasts you can choose the East-West Sound or any of the six North-South tending rivers. Five towns offer overnight docking; three have free showers.
Cheers.
On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 2:06 PM, Thomas Buzzi <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote:
Michael,Is there a safe place to park your truck and trailer while cruising here?
On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 6:39 AM, Michael Murphy < paulaandmike48@gmail.com> wrote:
Edenton NC is a good place to start exploring Albemarle Sound as well as the Chowan, Roanoke, and Cashie Rivers. There are 2 good ramps there: Midway on the Sound & Edenhouse on the Chowan River. The forecast had NW winds on Friday & NE winds Saturday so I launched at the Edenhouse next to US 17. It is well lighted & has a restroom.
The Chowan River flows N-S so I had long tacks back & forth across the river to reach the mouth of Keel Creek . I had dropped down to a double reef and jib by the time I reached the Creek. It appears that at one time the peninsula guarding the creek’s mouth reached ½ mile further south than it does now because the river nearby is studded with cypress stumps and large logs. In good light most are easily spotted. Several barely awash were marked with red/white PVC pipes.
However, since this was a new area I dropped sails and slowly motored in to a very sheltered anchorage in the cypress swamp. Whereas the river still had whitecaps the anchorage was flat as glass. While relaxing 30 yards from shore I was surprised by a black bear climbing a nearby tree where he proceeded to bat the Spanish Moss on its limbs for a half hour or so. At the same time a second bear calmly walked along the shore.
Later in the evening I noticed a disturbance in the water which appeared to be getting closer to the boat. In the twilight it was difficult to see what was making the set of ripples slowly approaching the boat. With my binoculars I was finally able to make out a face. Turned out to be a beaver that made a half circle around my anchorage.
Saturday brought a light wind in the creek which allowed me to reach out at ¾ knot while eating breakfast. In the river winds were 8-9 knots for the first hour then died to 3-4 knots. This was good for a slow sail a few hundred feet from d shore most of the way back. Didn’t go very fast but did not need to do more 5 or 6 tacks in the 12 NM home.
Wow!!! Bears and Beavers providing an evening show. Man am I jealous [?] Doug On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 4:39 AM, Michael Murphy <paulaandmike48@gmail.com> wrote:
Edenton NC is a good place to start exploring Albemarle Sound as well as the Chowan, Roanoke, and Cashie Rivers. There are 2 good ramps there: Midway on the Sound & Edenhouse on the Chowan River. The forecast had NW winds on Friday & NE winds Saturday so I launched at the Edenhouse next to US 17. It is well lighted & has a restroom.
The Chowan River flows N-S so I had long tacks back & forth across the river to reach the mouth of Keel Creek . I had dropped down to a double reef and jib by the time I reached the Creek. It appears that at one time the peninsula guarding the creek’s mouth reached ½ mile further south than it does now because the river nearby is studded with cypress stumps and large logs. In good light most are easily spotted. Several barely awash were marked with red/white PVC pipes.
However, since this was a new area I dropped sails and slowly motored in to a very sheltered anchorage in the cypress swamp. Whereas the river still had whitecaps the anchorage was flat as glass. While relaxing 30 yards from shore I was surprised by a black bear climbing a nearby tree where he proceeded to bat the Spanish Moss on its limbs for a half hour or so. At the same time a second bear calmly walked along the shore.
Later in the evening I noticed a disturbance in the water which appeared to be getting closer to the boat. In the twilight it was difficult to see what was making the set of ripples slowly approaching the boat. With my binoculars I was finally able to make out a face. Turned out to be a beaver that made a half circle around my anchorage.
Saturday brought a light wind in the creek which allowed me to reach out at ¾ knot while eating breakfast. In the river winds were 8-9 knots for the first hour then died to 3-4 knots. This was good for a slow sail a few hundred feet from d shore most of the way back. Didn’t go very fast but did not need to do more 5 or 6 tacks in the 12 NM home.
participants (4)
-
Bill Wickett -
Douglas Kelch -
Michael Murphy -
Thomas Buzzi