By Staff
During trips on river boat filled to capacity
By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
River Roving is back.
The North Carolina Estuarium in Washington resumed its River Roving excursions on the Pamlico-Tar River and its tributaries this week. The excursions, taken by passengers on a 25-foot-long pontoon boat, are among the Estuarium’s signature activities.
People began calling in January to make reservations,” Rumley said.
Bill Sholl was at the helm for the last excursion on Friday.
River Roving trips last about an hour. During the trips, passengers will be provided opportunities to observe ospreys, turtles, muskrats and wildflowers blooming along the shores of the river. They will be told some of Washington’s history as they pass historic landmarks and sites along the city’s waterfront.
Captains of the pontoon boats also talk about the environment of the Pamlico-Tar River and its watershed.
Several years ago, passengers could view an owl and several owlets nesting on the railroad trestle east of the Estuarium. For several years, passengers were taken to within several feet of a beaver lodge on Bear Creek. Trips up the Tar River have provided passengers glimpses of eagles, herons, hawks, otters, muskrats and other species of wildlife.
River Rover excursions leave the Estuarium’s dock at 10:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and at 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays through the spring and summer. Each December, special River Roving excursions to harvest mistletoe are conducted. There is no fee charged for River Roving trips, but advance reservations are required. They may be made by calling the Estuarium at (252) 948-0000.
Children must be at least 8 years old to ride on the boat. Children under 16 who ride the boat must be accompanied by an adult.
The Estuarium is located at 223 E. Water St. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Estuarium is a Partnership for the Sounds facility, an organization promoting ecotourism and sustainable economic development in the Albemarle-Pamlico region. Its Web site is www.partnershipforthesounds.org.