Belhaven, NC to Alligator, NC (yes, seriously)

Artesian Well

What is an artesian well?  It’s a well from which water flows under natural pressure without pumping.

“Several of these wells provided fresh spring water to the community up until the 1960s. Oriental residents built these concrete benches surrounding this artesian well in the 1920s.  Locals gathered here to sit in the shade of the 200-year-old Willow Oak tree and to catch up on the latest town chatter. All that remains today is part of the stump.  Other county and state residents came to drink the cool, healthy waters. Many local boys admit to stealing their first kiss under the branches of the old Willow Oak.”  ~ from the sign at the well 

Fred got up early the other day and found an artesian well. In Oriental, NC!  

This morning we pulled away from Belhaven. They only have one dock and everyone seemed to pull away in turn. When we left, everyone else behind us had already left, which made it easier to back out and not have to turn around in a narrow fairway.  

We had big water (wide rivers - Pungo and Alligator) interspersed with narrow canals (Alligator Pungo River Canal).  The Canal was one completely straight cut that is 11 miles long.  


At one point we were heading due north into the wind. That doesn’t happen often (ever before? 🤔).  The wind was right in our faces and cold, so we opted to go inside and drive from the lower helm.

How often do you head due north?!

Brown water

Nasty looking, right?  Apparently Tannins are a form of decayed organic matter (primarily from vegetation) that dissolve into water. They are commonly found in lakes and rivers, as well as in swampy or marshy areas in North and South Carolina.  Brown river water

The marina we are in tonight is Alligator River Marina in Alligator, NC. It’s a very quaint marina, but the dock hand told us not to drink the water. 😳 

We are staying at a gas station, convenience store, grill and marina.  (Cheap gas - $3.99, but no diesel). They “strive to offer a quiet middle of nowhere, off the beaten path, zero disturbance stop, for you to enjoy a little down time.”  Fred had to go to the gas station to check in and there was a lady cooking something on the grill (at the convenience store).  



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