The rain and winds came - all day. The trees in the Dismal Swamp are very tall, so we were protected from the winds, but not the rain. The large swamp is in Virginia and North Carolina. The Dismal Swamp Canal was authorized by Virginia in 1787 and by North Carolina in 1790. Construction began in 1793 and was completed in 1805. Several African-American maroon societies lived in the swamp during early American history. Refugee slaves escaped to the swamp to seek safety.
The boat came with yellow rain gear. We thought we'd try it out!
The Dismal Swamp, is long, straight and narrow with barely enough room for two boats to pass each other. The water is a deep rich color that is a result of the tanin from the trees.
Our first lock, Deep Creek Lock!
Having never negotiated a lock before, we were a little nervous. When the lock opened one boat came out and it was our turn to go in. We tied to the bollards and the doors closed. The water started in and after about 10 minutes it was time to untie and leave the lock. It was a small lock, good start.
Lock #3
We successfully completed the two small locks on the Dismal Swamp and then we saw another lock. We were surprised there was another lock, since we thought there were only two. The lockmaster asked us where we were going and we answered "Portsmouth". He said, you are headed back to Elizabeth City (the loop back). So, the dock master helped us turn around and head back out of the lock before the doors closed and we were off to Portsmouth. We had missed an important turn. From that point on, we plotted our course and followed it.
Portsmouth, VA
We are tied up to a free dock tonight in Portsmouth, VA. We are both tired, but glad to be in Portsmouth and uneventfully tied to the dock. We are in downtown Portsmouth and there is a festival right across from us, complete with loud music. I think I prefer the quiet of the Dismal Swamp, or Austin bands.
Next, out into the Chesapeake.
This is the part where I start living vicariously. Happy sails!
ReplyDelete-ella