John Tyrell has visited Tyrrell County NC

It has been an interesting couple of days.  We went through the Pungo Alligator River Canal.  This was the last portion of the ICW to be finished in 1929.  This canal is straight as an arrow.  I am amazed at the work down in the 1920's.  An interesting read, is Bill Bryson's One Summer 1927.  Lindburgh flew across the Atlantic, Babe Ruth was a star, so much building was happening in the country.  The guides say to be on the look out for black bears and deer but is was a very hot day and I think the animals had the good sense to stay in the woods.

We entered the Alligator River, still no bears, but very scenic.  We crossed under the Alligator River Bridge which led into the Albemarle Sound.  We heard of a lovely anchorage just off the ICW at this point.  It was lovely.  We dropped anchor and fired up the summer kitchen for some margarita sausages and quinoa.  The sunset was stunning.  We turned on the anchor light and slept soundly snuggled in this cove, unaccompanied by other boats.

We awoke in the morning to the site of millions, yes I said millions, of Fuzzy Bills aboard our boat.  Fuzzy Bills are a type of midge bug found in waterway areas.  They are about 3/8 inch long.  They do not bite, thank heavens!  But look like mosquito.   Thanks to NC State where I found out more about them.  Neither John nor I had heard or seen anything like them.   They were everywhere!   

We wanted to keep them out of the main cabin and the fly bridge as much as we could.  They were unfazed by bug spray.  John pulled the anchor and we ran the boat from the cabin until we entered back into Albermarle Sound where there were so many crab pots we had to run from the fly bridge to see them all.  We took turns driving on the fly bridge and staying bug free in the cabin.  We found that water could bring them down and they would leave little greenish black marks everywhere.  If they were in the sun, they would die and leave the same mark.  If you squished them, the same mark.  Ugh!!! Yuck!!!  Disgusting!!!  

We headed for Columbia, NC.  Columbia is the county seat of Tyrrell County.  And Tyrrell is pronounced the same way we say our name.   Tyrrell County had the most interesting cast of characters.  We called to the own dock when we were maybe 10 minutes out to ask for someone to grab the lines.  The town manager said it was 11:50 and he and everyone else would be going to lunch, we could dock and pay the $3.00 fee after their lunch.  Can't beat the price for free docking and electricity.  We got settled and walked up Main Street.   We passed the Tyrrell County Court House with a statue honoring the Civil War dead.  Then we headed to the library to look at their genealogy section.  There were 3 librarians on duty.  When we told them we were there to learn about how Tyrrell County got its name, and our name was Tyrell, Linda jumped right up and took us to the local history room.  As it turned out Sir John Tyrrell of Essex, England  bought a proprietorship in the early 1700's and an investment, but never visited the area.  So John became the first John Tyrell to visit Tyrrell County.  We signed the register to make our mark on Tyrrell County.  Linda pointed us to the Winery where they make wine with grapes grown in Tyrrell County.  We tasted and bought some. 

 

In the morning, we headed to Cypress Cove Marina for fuel and a pump out.  Mary Lou was so kind.  She brought out a bottle of Tyrrell wine a basket of goodies, and puzzle book to remember our visit to Tyrrell County.  We sure will.

We headed back across Albemarle Sound.  In the western portions, it was VERY choppy.  I drove the boat to keep my tummy at ease.  Up the Coinjock river, to the famous Coinjock Marina and Restaurant.  They are known far and wide for their prime rib.  I can attest that it was well worth the effort to get here.