DAY 24 JUNE 11
Karen was up early and cooked waffles for my departure. I really have to rethink this staying consecutively with friends. Four friends in a row have really added to the waist line. I don't know if they say "here comes the fat guy break out the food", or they use my visit as reason to pig out, or what. I really think it is that they are just great hosts and want to make my visit special. That they did and it was all great.
The first photo op came at the "Polish Plantation" (didn't know you guys had those, Marion).
From there we moved on to the White Haven Ferry. It started running in 1762. The captain today is James Farmington. He was so interesting to talk to, I left Big Red on the other bank and rode across the river several times with him. He was born, raised, and lives 4 miles from the ferry. He has been driving the ferry for 37 years and retired 9 years ago, but they called him back to be a relief captain. In the old days, he worked 13 and a half hours a day. Now the days are a short 10 and a half hours. He enjoys driving the boat and if he is not driving the boat he is driving the tractor on his farm growing soybeans and a large garden. The good part of his job now is he works when he wants. They called him to work yesterday but he said it was too hot. And he was right.
On the other side of the river we visited a few fisherman. They had 2 firsts while we were there. First catch of the day and the first catfish of the season.
We wandered on down to the Chesapeake Bay tunnel and bridge. First we stopped in Pocomoke City. We really enjoyed this river when we came with our boat. The town at that time was just about dead. The owner of the local Ford dealership stopped by to visit us at the dock, like many of the locals did, and told us how downtown had turned into a ghost town when they built the WalMart out on the by pass. He owned several of the downtown buildings and was renting them out for almost nothing just hoping to get something back in to town. His dad had started the Ford dealership and he remembered as a youngster putting model A Fords together in the building right next to the dock. I am glad to report that downtown seems to be doing pretty good. Not great, but most of the stores are occupied.
Transiting Norfolk was a challenge. A combination of heavy traffic, construction, inattentive drivers, and poorly timed lights kept us on our toes. Should have broken the rules and taken the interstate around the town and it would have been safer and faster. We were way south of the area where US17 turned into a four lane before we felt safe.
We rolled into downtown Elizabeth City, NC and took a break at the docks. There used to be two older gentlemen that would bring all the ladies a rose when the boats docked. Willard Scott, of TV weather fame (a long time ago), had bought them a golf cart to ride around in.
South of town was the Coast Guard Aviation repair facility and the old blimp hanger from WW II. These things are huge!!!
Karen was up early and cooked waffles for my departure. I really have to rethink this staying consecutively with friends. Four friends in a row have really added to the waist line. I don't know if they say "here comes the fat guy break out the food", or they use my visit as reason to pig out, or what. I really think it is that they are just great hosts and want to make my visit special. That they did and it was all great.
The first photo op came at the "Polish Plantation" (didn't know you guys had those, Marion).
From there we moved on to the White Haven Ferry. It started running in 1762. The captain today is James Farmington. He was so interesting to talk to, I left Big Red on the other bank and rode across the river several times with him. He was born, raised, and lives 4 miles from the ferry. He has been driving the ferry for 37 years and retired 9 years ago, but they called him back to be a relief captain. In the old days, he worked 13 and a half hours a day. Now the days are a short 10 and a half hours. He enjoys driving the boat and if he is not driving the boat he is driving the tractor on his farm growing soybeans and a large garden. The good part of his job now is he works when he wants. They called him to work yesterday but he said it was too hot. And he was right.
On the other side of the river we visited a few fisherman. They had 2 firsts while we were there. First catch of the day and the first catfish of the season.
We wandered on down to the Chesapeake Bay tunnel and bridge. First we stopped in Pocomoke City. We really enjoyed this river when we came with our boat. The town at that time was just about dead. The owner of the local Ford dealership stopped by to visit us at the dock, like many of the locals did, and told us how downtown had turned into a ghost town when they built the WalMart out on the by pass. He owned several of the downtown buildings and was renting them out for almost nothing just hoping to get something back in to town. His dad had started the Ford dealership and he remembered as a youngster putting model A Fords together in the building right next to the dock. I am glad to report that downtown seems to be doing pretty good. Not great, but most of the stores are occupied.
I like roads with no center line, but this was a little rough
this harmless black snake was longer than big red
We paid our $12, no credit cards, and took off on the bridge/tunnel. It was built during the cold war period and the tunnels were put in to keep them dirty communists from blowing up the bridges and blocking the US Navy from getting out of port. Lots of people were concerned about me crossing the 13 miles, but it really was a non-event.
Transiting Norfolk was a challenge. A combination of heavy traffic, construction, inattentive drivers, and poorly timed lights kept us on our toes. Should have broken the rules and taken the interstate around the town and it would have been safer and faster. We were way south of the area where US17 turned into a four lane before we felt safe.
We rolled into downtown Elizabeth City, NC and took a break at the docks. There used to be two older gentlemen that would bring all the ladies a rose when the boats docked. Willard Scott, of TV weather fame (a long time ago), had bought them a golf cart to ride around in.
South of town was the Coast Guard Aviation repair facility and the old blimp hanger from WW II. These things are huge!!!
these are the corner pillars from a hanger that burnt 10 or 15 years ago
this pointed to one of the hangers. not sure about the name of this outfit.
crossing the Albermarle
the "whats up gang"
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