Belhaven, Pungo River

Today we awoke to a partly sunny day with a light southerly breeze. After breakfast, we pulled up the anchor, which was quite muddy, and motored the 8 or so remaining miles to Belhaven.

Belhaven is a very small town -- a population of roughly 2000 supports a 1 or 2 block "downtown". Originally a fishing town, its prime was during the railroad age when it was a center for manufacturing and transporting lumber products out of the region. Today it is struggling, with lots of empty stores and homes for sale.  It's one claim to fame is that Little Eva came from the town (in case you don't remember or know, she sang the "Locomotion", a #1 hit in the early 60's). The town has invested in decent public docks to attract cruising snowbirds and has become known as a good place to stop on the intercoastal.

We decided to tie-up to the public dock, which was on a small uncharted side creek near the center of town. The cruising guide indicated that the depths would be sufficient, so we gave it a go. We did run aground as I turned to come up and alongside of the dock, but with little forward and reverse rocking of the boat with the engine, we managed to complete the turn and get to the dock with no additional drama.

Safe landing at the public dock

By the time we were tied up and settled, it was lunchtime -- we were going to take a walk anyway, so we chose to eat in town rather than on the boat. There were four possible restaurants to choose from, but because it was Sunday, and lunchtime, only one was open: The Spoon River Cafe serving a Sunday brunch. With white table cloths and flowers on every table, the place was crowded with families, mostly older children taking their elderly parents out for a meal. We joined them -- the food was plain but good -- we both thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

Beautiful downtown Belhaven

We followed lunch up with a walk to the local Food Lion to do some provisioning (perhaps a 1.5 miles each way). Returning to the boat, we hung out for the rest of the day, reading, blogging and the like.

Like the town itself, the Belhaven police force was small -- a couple of cars and a double-wide

Late in the afternoon, another self-appointed greeter showed up at the boat; local real estate agent, she gave us some brochures and told us about what was available in town. She also mentioned that she was the hostess at a new local tavern and that we should come and see the place -- the owner had taken two years to redo the place and that it was full of his elaborate woodwork -- he built the doors, tables, bar, etc all himself.

Not being ones to pass up an opportunity to avoid cooking, dinner was a couple of appies and a glass of wine at the Tavern at Jack's Neck. (and no, I didn't make up that name; Jack's Neck was the Belhaven's original name).

Dinner at the Tavern