Deep Creek, NC - Night #8

Happy Daylights Savings Time from North Carolina!  Where is Deep Creek you ask?  We're just south of the Virginia border at the top of the Dismal Swamp - and this sign at the Deep Creek Canal gives you an idea of where we are:

We left Deltaville just before 8:00 AM this morning - it was a beautiful place - we didn't spend much time here, but it was lovely - this is what it looked like as we departed:

Shortly after our departure from Deltaville, we were back in the Chesapeake and to quote George Costanza from one of my favorite Seinfeld episodes - "the seas were angry that day my friends!"  Wow - it was so rough today - the winds were strong from the North behind us and created a huge swell - it was probably the roughest seas we've been in on Master Plan - it was a little crazy, but fortunately didn't last too long - only a few hours.  We then pulled into Norfolk Harbor just after noon and worked our way towards Mile 0 of the ICW.  Norfolk is very industrial - it also has the largest naval shipyard - took a few photos:

About 7 miles after we passed through Norfolk, the ICW splits into two directions - either the Virginia Cut or the Dismal Swamp - we headed toward the Dismal Swamp route.  Suddenly after all of the industrial scenery, we were immersed in this tranquil low country area - very serene and beautiful.  The water is coffee-colored here - I took a photo off the stern.  In three miles, we came to the Deep Creek Lock - it opens only four times a day - and we made perfect timing for the final opening of the day - 3:30 PM.  Paul glided Master Plan in and we were the only boat in the lock.  Once it closed, the water level raised 8 feet - it was pretty cool.  I was hanging on to the stern line when a beautiful great blue heron flew over and landed on the edge of the lock.   

See my friend the Heron - what a beautiful creature . . .

Right after we got out of the lock, we immediately came to this beautiful dock built specifically for people like us who want to call it a day and head down the canal tomorrow.  The Dismal Swamp Canal starts in Deep Creek and is 22 miles long and the South Creek locks at the end of the 22 miles open at the same four times daily - 8:30 AM, 11AM, 1:30 PM or 3:30 PM - so it wouldn't have made sense to go any further.  The dock is in beautiful condition, it's free, and it took us 10 minutes to walk to the Food Lion and restock our groceries!  When you're at the dock, it's hard to believe civilization is so close as it's so peaceful and pretty here.  There is just one other boat here - a sailboat with a very nice family of 5 from Topsham, ME (near Brunswick).  They helped us with our lines when we docked and then we ran into them again at the Food Lion! 

 

So today was a big day - we're in North Carolina and we are finally in the ICW - let the journey continue.  Tomorrow's plan is to pretty much complete the Dismal Swamp route and end up in Elizabeth City - about 40 miles from here.  When Paul first researched the route, this is one area he really wanted to go to - it sounds like a lovely place that is very welcoming to transient boaters - so I look forward to checking it out and will report back tomorrow.

Today's quote:

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.

-Henry David Thoreau

Until tomorrow!  Love, Jen & Paul