Day 3: 10/13/07 Alligator River – Belhaven (46 miles)
We were awakened at daybreak by a bass boat zooming up the channel. Both the helmsman and passenger wore full coverage motorcycle type helmets that matched the boat. Bass fishing ala NASCAR….
After a quick breakfast of cantaloupe, toast and coffee, we were ready to up anchor. The bottom was that nasty black clay and Buck had a lot of fun cleaning the anchor and deck. We had to finish the job in port later.
We were able to retrace our route out through the channel with no problems and headed south where we intercepted the Alligator-Pungo Canal. This is a 22 mile stretch that joins the Alligator and Pungo rivers.
We emerged from the canal about 1 PM and headed for Belhaven. We decided to check out a new marina. On previous trips, we’ve stayed at Dowry Creek and at River Forest; this time we decided to check out the Belhaven Waterway Marina which is just past day-marker #9
inside the Belhaven breakwater. I’m glad we did. This is a small marina with a 200’ face dock and about 10 additional slips. We arrived about 1400 and were on the face dock which was great. They have good permanent fenders in place and were ready with assistance when we arrived. The marina has everything except fuel which is readily available from River Forest less than ¼ mile away. Les and Brenda Porter are great folks and they have a sweet miniature schnauzer named Marina. Their bathrooms are worth the trip, beautifully decorated with navy memorabilia, and furnished with fresh towels and toiletries. The marina is located in the middle of downtown Belhaven and within an easy walk of several restaurants and stores.
When we were in Belhaven last spring, we saw a new restaurant attached to a wine and gourmet shop called the Back Bay Cafe. It was closed for our last visit, but open this time. We made reservations upon our arrival and then spent the afternoon doing routine boat maintenance. We had an 1830 reservation and walked over from our slip which was less than 5 minutes away. The dinner started off great with an $11 bottle of red zinfandel which was very drinkable. Our meal, however, was less than stellar as both our entrees were overdone and the sides not very good. We decided that Chez 2-TAC-E serves better cuisine at a far more reasonable rate.
Back at the boat, we chatted for awhile then drifted into the arms of Morpheus.
inside the Belhaven breakwater. I’m glad we did. This is a small marina with a 200’ face dock and about 10 additional slips. We arrived about 1400 and were on the face dock which was great. They have good permanent fenders in place and were ready with assistance when we arrived. The marina has everything except fuel which is readily available from River Forest less than ¼ mile away. Les and Brenda Porter are great folks and they have a sweet miniature schnauzer named Marina. Their bathrooms are worth the trip, beautifully decorated with navy memorabilia, and furnished with fresh towels and toiletries. The marina is located in the middle of downtown Belhaven and within an easy walk of several restaurants and stores.When we were in Belhaven last spring, we saw a new restaurant attached to a wine and gourmet shop called the Back Bay Cafe. It was closed for our last visit, but open this time. We made reservations upon our arrival and then spent the afternoon doing routine boat maintenance. We had an 1830 reservation and walked over from our slip which was less than 5 minutes away. The dinner started off great with an $11 bottle of red zinfandel which was very drinkable. Our meal, however, was less than stellar as both our entrees were overdone and the sides not very good. We decided that Chez 2-TAC-E serves better cuisine at a far more reasonable rate.
Back at the boat, we chatted for awhile then drifted into the arms of Morpheus.
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