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We headed out for South Mill Lock a little after 7.  We were on the inside and we wanted to be sure we weren’t late for the lock opening at 8:30.

We all made really good time and got to the bridge before the lock way ahead of schedule so everyone was annoyed that we wanted to leave so early.  In the end they crammed everyone who was at the Welcome Center into the lock – Bikini Club was the last one to get wedged in.  The whole locking process took over an hour, but was not as challenging as the Up-Lock – there was no turbulence at all.

Here’s Jane and Ben in Old Rosie comin’ round the bend.  

Come to think of it there were two “Bens in the River” – here’s Ben 1 in Loon.

Shortly after the lock the canal widened out into the lovely Pasquotank River with lots of charming riverside homes.

Arrived in Elizabeth City around noon and anchored off.  Most of our traveling companions chose to tie off to the town bulkheads.  Elizabeth City has evolved into a charming little town – not at all like the grim grey shell of a town we passed in 73.  They have a very active restoration and yacht welcoming projects going on.  We met up with Old Rosie (Ben and Jane) and Bikini Club (Steve and Karen) crews and had a good lunch at a bar called Thumpers.  Then Jane and I wanted to go to the grocery store.  There is a shuttle from the waterfront park to the store.   2 other ladies joined us – Mary from Tuesdays Child and Debbie from Heron.  We all got quite a haul of provisions.  When we returned Ben and Jim were busy working on a minor boat project.   

We got all our provision stowed and then went in to the town wine and cheese party. Then we all had drinks about Old Rosie – a steel motor sailor built in 1982 – very cozy. Here’s a shot of Elizabeth City waterfront by night.