Rose Buddies of Elizabeth City!

Everyone has told us to be careful of the Albermarle Sound when leaving Alligator River.  It can be so rough they said!  Watch the wind and weather.  We carefully checked the weather and the wind before we left Alligator River Marina and felt we would have a decent 12 mile crossing of the sound.  Well the picture above was what kind of crossing we had.  Fabulous.....no wind and no waves. 

We were headed for Elizabeth City!  The Mariner’s Wharf is a free dock right downtown.  It is home of the legend of the “Rose Buddies”!  In 1983 Fred Fearing and Joe Kramer II decided to host a gathering for the mariners.  Joe clipped his prize roses to give to each First Mate and Fred supplied the refreshments.  That day there were 17 boats docked at the free Mariner’s Wharf!  When Joe died in 1987 his rose bushes where transplanted to the wharf and still today provide lovely roses for the mariners to see when they arrive in Elizabeth City.  Fred continued the rosebud tradition into his 90’s!

The day we arrived was the first Rose Bud gathering of the 2012 season.  Roses were given to each “First Mate” and a wine/beer and appetizer reception was held on the waterfront!  What a wonderful tradition!

There is a plaque that honors both Joe and Fred next to his rose bushes on the wharf!

Here is my rose from the “Rose Buddies!”  What a neat tradition!

Tomorrow we head for the Dismal Swamp!  I have no idea what to expect from a swamp with such a name as Dismal! 

Stay tuned!  Pat