The Great Dismal Swamp

The Ditch

It is anything but dismal. Very long and narrow with the canopy of trees on both sides that nearly touched directly over our boat in some places. We thought it peaceful and pretty. Although we could not relax..... No auto-pilot today... just very careful watching for underwater obstructions and making sure the boat stayed right in the middle of the “Ditch” as it is called.  When I was piloting I even stood on the foot rest below the Captain's chair which made me higher and more able to see things like logs in the water.

We thought we would stay overnight in the Swamp but the first place to stay was the dock at the highway visitor center and we didn't want to stop that early. The next & last place was a small dock just before the second and last lock. We had found a nice cove on the chart just a little bit beyond this lock and are now swinging pleasantly on the hook. There is a nice breeze blowing... looking forward to being rocked to sleep tonight.

Elizabeth City Bridge

You will see a blank section in the tracking from Elizabeth City through part of the Pasquotank River for about a mile. This is because we forgot to turn the tracker on due to our hurry to get out of that awful slip without damaging Miss gg and make the 830a opening of the Elizabeth City bridge... we got there with 5 min. to spare. We lined up behind two sailing vessels and two motor boats.  Everyone still had their motors running and we did a kind of dance circling around....that can also be seen on tracker.  The Bridge opened and we were all off.  Soon we over took the sailboats but stayed behind “Adirondack” who lead us to the Swamp and then stopped at the first dock. It was fun to then be the lead vessel because the water was like glass... the reflection of the trees in the water made it hard to see where the water really was  (picture at top) gorgeous scene!  

We traveled the Pasquotank for a while and then around a river bend we joined the lined up to wait for the first bridge and lock to open at 11a.  This can be a fun time chatting with the other boaters and finding out where they are going... no one else so far that we have met is doing the Loop however the boat behind us did it three years ago.  They said it was life changing and we were in for quite an adventure. 

Lined up for the first lock

Our first lock experience was so easy!  There were 6 boats so they had to be on both sides of the lock... so until they call you on the radio you don't know which side to rig with the fenders (bumpers to keep the boat from hitting the lock wall or other boats).  If you have enough you rig both sides then pull in and double up on the side they will use.  We were given the starboard side... so I quickly removed one of the Port side fenders and added it to other side.  They are heavy and I was so afraid I would loose this one in the water but I didn't and my back can tell.. ouch!  

Walter adjusting fender for lock

The lock master comes over and tells you exactly what to do.... I mainly had to hold the line and not let it come off the bollard (post on top of lock wall). Which becomes a little challenge when you are almost to the top... but I sat and push it down with my feet. Why I thought I could do this by myself I don't know... I held the forward starboard line, Walter cut the engines off and hurried down to hold the aft line.


When we reached the top of the wall and were level with water beyond the lock they opened the other gate and released us... I would just have to remember that the next lock I would be letting the line out instead of pulling it in as we would be going back down.

Leaving lock

 We are exhausted!  Is it possible that 71 year olds might just be too old to be in a different place EVERY day?!  Tomorrow we cruise to Norfolk just 8 miles away.  There is a speed limit so we will probably take 1.5 hours for this trip.  I am a little nervous about being in our first big port. We will be picking up the new winches at a nice marina there where we had them shipped.   And it is right next to WWII ship that you can go through and other historical things to see.  Walter said we may stay a night there and he will call around for some parts and see if anyone could haul the boat soon.  I am ready for a rest day.  Our generator would not shut off so tonight Walter climbed down in the heat of the engine room and made a part from a tie wrap that is working fine.  WHAT A GUY!!