Monday, May 30, 2016

5/28/16 and 5/29/16

The Dismal Swamp

South Mills Lock 

South Mills Bridge


Dismal Swamp Visitor Center

Dismal Swamp State Park
Left Elizabeth City heading to "The Dismal Swamp". Before we left, we went to a farmers market right by the marina. Got some great veggies. Couldn't buy a lot because we only have 5 days till we leave to drive home for Nicole's graduation.                                                                                        We started on the Pasquotank River, which was a gorgeous ride. We went through a lock, the first one in a long, long time.......I haven't missed them either. They are a pain in the butt.
We have two locks that each have a lift bridge either right before the lock, or right after. One takes you up, the next takes you down.  The first one at South Mills was lock first, then half mile away is the bridge. The same person tends both. The second is at Deep Creek; bridge first then lock next. The tender here is very good at blowing a "conch shell". He even played a tune on it for us! He is also full of historical information. Very interesting man...........
Now; between these locks is The Dismal Swamp Visitor Center and State Park. This is where we will spend the night tonight then leave early, early in the morning heading for The Chesapeake Bay.
The Dismal Swamp was between 7 and 10 feet deep; which means below our keel, we showed 3 and 6 foot of water. Just a little shallow, huh? It was dug, by hand, by slaves, between 1793 and 1805. It is 22 miles long. It is the oldest hand dug canal in the US. There is another route to the Chesapeake, but we chose the "adventurous" route!
When we got through the swamp. we entered the Elizabeth River taking us through Portsmouth and Norfolk, Va. on the way to The Chesapeake Bay, where we will spend the summer.
We arrived in Hampton, Va. at noon, where we will leave the boat till we get back from Kentucky!!!!!

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