ALLIGATOR RIVER, OUTER BANKS

AUGUST 7, 2012

SHORES OF THE ALLIGATOR CANAL

8:15AM we pulled the anchor & headed north in the Pungo River.  The winds are light, it is partly cloudy & about 85 degrees.  The Pungo led us to Wilkerson Creek & then into the Alligator Canal on our way to the river.



POLECAT GOING
SOUTH

The Alligator River is a National Wildlife Refuge.  The wildlife was plentiful, but no sign of alligators.  On the bank we did see a doe with her fawn & then more on the other side of the canal.  We had also been watching for eagles & were finally successful.   By 2 PM we passed under a fixed bridge & crossed paths with Polecat, a 30 ft. cat rigged sailboat from Fairhope, Al.  Rod called him on the radio, he was heading south from Rhode Island.  We told him we had friends in Fairhope & to look up Jody & Dolphin on Monarch.  He said he would & was looking forward to getting home.

OUR FIRST BALD EAGLE0

As we neared the end of the canal & the beginning of the Alligator River I saw something swimming across the canal in front of the boat.  First thing I thought was alligator!  Well not an alligator, maybe wild pigs.  There seemed to be 3 in the water.  I went to the bow with the binoculars.  I wish I had picked up the camera.  A mother black bear with 2 cubs was swimming across in front of us.  As we neared she looked back to make sure the kids were close.  She climbed up the shore & sat watching the cubs near the edge of the water.  As they began to scramble up behind her, she headed into the brush.  Imagine being in the right spot in the water at the right time to catch sight of them.    This is one of those unforgettable memories you cherish.

As we entered the river the clouds turned dark & the wind increased.  For the rest of the afternoon it rained.  We were nice & dry in the cockpit heading for our anchorage at about mile marker 80.  After passing under a swing bridge we turned toward the shore & anchored at 6:20 PM in 12ft of water.  The rain was letting up as we settled in for the night.