Dismal Swamp to Elizabeth City

We got off to an early start today to catch the 8:30am lock through (next one wasn't until 11:00am) of the Deep Creek Lock, at the northern entrance to the Dismal Swamp. See all that green duck weed on the canal's walls! Rob, the Lockmaster, played a tune for us on one of his conch shells; and wouldn't you know it, the guy in the boat behind us had one of his own and could play it too; so we were treated to a conch duet. That was a first.

1239 miles to Key West

The Dismal Swamp canal waterway was the colour of coffee (note the dinghy's trail) ... we won't be swimming in these waters! Rob, the Lockmaster, was also telling us that alligators have been seen in the North Carolina portion of the Dismal Swamp route.

the first bridge of the day

The Dismal Swamp canal is narrow and shallow. I don't think two boats could safely pass one another. Watching the depth sounder's readings, and watching for deadheads wasn't the only challenge. You also had to look UP to be sure to miss hitting any trees!

oops.... where's the wind vane?    (this wasn't Serenada)

more fall colours

We bid adieu to Virginia, and welcomed ourselves to North Carolina. It's taken us almost 3 months to get this far south. It's so much faster by car.

2nd bridge of the day ... we didn't have to wait for this one

Much of the Dismal Swamp route is straight and narrow, but scenic....

small brown deadhead in coffee coloured water

cute couple (of turtles)

4th (railroad) bridge of the day

5th and last bridge of the day

We arrived at the last bridge of the day very shortly after 4:30pm. During rush hour this bridge opens once per hour on the half hour, and as we just missed it, we had to wait almost a full hour for it to open again. %#@$*!^   Once through it though, we had arrived at Elizabeth City, and guess who we met? 

Jorge & Kim! Even Mother Nature celebrated our reunion - she gave us a rainbow (between Serenada on the left and CS'ta Time on the right). We had happy hour with them and another couple they've met, Jim & Connie. Both are leaving at first light tomorrow, but we'll be staying to reprovision and do laundry.