Lutz Creek to Manteo:

After a pleasant night at anchor in Lutz Creek, we continue south crossing the Albermarle Sound before the winds pick up. Once across the sound, we leave the ICW and take a hard left toward the Outer Banks. Our destination today is the historic town of Manteo on Roanoke Island. We have wanted to visit the Outer Banks for several years but the weather never seemed to cooperate. With good weather forecast for the next few days, we should be OK.

The one mile long channel into Manteo is a little daunting. The dockmaster gave us detailed instructions to avoid the shallow water. The channel is well marked but we must hug some of the markers for enough depth. As our depth sounder decreases down to six feet, we hold our breath while making a sharp right hand turn into Shallowbag Bay. The dockmaster is on the docks waving us into the long face dock. IT is soon secure and now we can relax and explore Manteo.

We secure a rental car from the local Ford dealer for a trip to the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. Having heard and read about it our whole life, it is fascinating to see the birthplace of powered flight. We are able to walk along the runway where the first four flights of Dec. 17, 1903 took place.

Each flight is commemorated with a granite marker. Our next stop is to Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Here we find the tallest natural sand dune system in the Eastern U.S. Walking the dunes, one can imagine what the Sahara Desert may be like. Hang gliding is a popular sport along these dunes and several are out today taking advantage of the brisk winds.

Our next stop is the “Lost Colony” of Roanoke Island. In 1587, 117 English settlers arrived here to colonize the eastern seaboard of the New World. Virginia Dare, the first child of English parents born in America, was part of this settlement. Governor John White sailed back to England for more supplies. Upon his return three years later the Colony had disappeared completely without a trace. To this day no one knows what happened to these settlers.

Before returning our rental car, we make one last stop at O’Neals Seafood. Shrimp, scallops, and soft shell crab are purchased. They are soon vacuum sealed and our freezer is well stocked. Tomorrow we will say goodbye to Manteo and push on to Ocracoke Island.

Total miles:: 32
Total Miles this year: 2436

1 thought on “Manteo

  1. Hello Susie and Jeff!
    Happy to see that you guys are back on board and all seems well! Just want to say how much I enjoy your blog and reading about your travels, and how helpful it all is to somebody like me just getting into this cruising lifestyle. Definitely taking note of O’Neil’s seafood and a future trip to see where the Wright bros. did their thing! My Krogen 48 is a little ahead of schedule now, show be done in Taiwan around the end of December,, then to Stuart for commissioning. Looks like I’ll be at the 40th Krogen Birthday Party up in Newport the first days of July next year, the Annapolis open house, Newport Boat Show as well as a Trawlerf event next year. Plan on living aboard and following the seasons on the east coast, Bahamaas etc.. and then see where to go after that. Again, your blog is very much appreciated as it helps get me ready for all this. THANK YOU!
    Pat Hughes, Kadey Krogen 48-60 Volunteer, Knoxville TN

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