Elizabeth City, NC - Night #9

Good morning from Elizabeth City, North Carolina!  We arrived here just before 6pm last night after a lovely day in the Dismal Swamp.  I know it doesn't sound very appealing, but the Dismal Swamp is quite beautiful and peaceful and we had a clear and sunny day.  We left Deep Creek yesterday for the 8:30 AM bridge opening and were on our way . . . 

Master Plan in Deep Creek waiting for the 8:30 AM Bridge Opening

The Dismal Swamp behind us - note the coffee-colored water

The Dismal Swamp ahead of us - 22 miles of this

We were cruising along for just over an hour when we noticed an obstruction in the canal that was impassable - come to find out it was a Dredge pipe.  We tried to move it with a boat hook, but it wouldn't budge.  We called the Dismal Swamp Visitor Center and reported it and were told that the Army Corps of Engineers was doing some dredging so she said she would make a call and call me back.  She called back in about 5 minutes and said - "we will notify the contractor and they'll be there to move the pipe in a little while."  So being the planner that I am, I asked - "How long is a little while?  1 hour?  3 hours?"  Her reply - "It shouldn't take that long . . . you're not in a hurry, are you?  Enjoy the beauty of nature!"  Good point, I thought - we had decent cell coverage and the sun was shining on us keeping us cozy and warm.  Then a very sweet "Thank you for visiting the Dismal Swamp!"  We waited an hour and Paul called again and about 15 minutes later, the pipe was moved and we were on our way again. 

The pipe and the team who moved it for us.

So the way the Dismal Swamp works is there is a 22 mile canal with locks on either end - so southbound it goes Deep Creek Lock (3:30 PM Sun afternoon), Deep Creek Dock (Sun overnight), Deep Creek Bridge (8:30AM Mon morning), 22 miles of canal at about 6 knots (Monday), then the South Mills Bridge (1:30 PM Mon afternoon) followed immediately by the South Mills Lock.  The same person operates the lock and the bridge (one person in Deep Creek and one person in South Mills).  So yesterday, when we went through the bridge - the guy opened the bridge, then hopped in his pick-up truck and drove to the lock (less than a mile away) and then operated the lock and we were once again on our way. 

South Mills Lock right after we entered looking back.  You can see the white bridge that was opened for us in the background.

Same viewpoint, but 8' lower - we're once again on our way South.

After the South Mills lock, we traveled 18 more miles to Elizabeth City via the Pasquotank River - very pretty.  We "fed the bitch" (pardon our language - this is our way of saying we fueled up) at a marina just north of Elizabeth City and then pulled in here just before 6:00 PM.

It was dark when we arrived and we were greeted and assisted by two couples - Don & Sue from Nova Scotia and John & Melissa from Vermont - each on sailboats heading south as well.  They were super fun and friendly and invited us to "Thumpers" (one of my favorite college drinking games) for wings and beer.  We firmed up the lines and fenders, cleaned up (basically put on baseball hats) and met them there and had a great time.  The wings were delish, the beer was cold and yummy and we played some pool and shuffleboard (the table kind).  This morning, John & Melissa are already gone on their continued journey and Don & Sue are still here.  John & Melissa have done this trip several times - but like us, this is Don & Sue's first time.  Don grew up on Martha's Vineyard in West Tisbury - but they're from Nova Scotia - he is a construction contractor who works for himself and is taking some time off.  Sue is a retired school teacher (Special Ed and First Grade) - they are truly delightful.

We will stay here today too and be on our way tomorrow.  We have a free dock right in the heart of Elizabeth City - a very boat-friendly town where the locals just love transient boaters and the dock space is FREE for two nights!  We'll hang out, do some laundry and I'll do some work.  I also think the Captain could use a day off.  He has done an amazing job so far and I know he will continue to do so!  He has worked so hard to research our route and his navigation skills are impressive. 

The sun is shining and it is supposed to be in the 60's today - so it will be a good day. 

Today's quote:
Yesterday is History
Tomorrow is Mystery
Today is a GIFT
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Thank you all for following us and for your great support and friendship!  Love, Jen & Paul