May 24, Day 333– Welcome Center, NC to Norfolk, VA

We got underway this morning around 8:00. We used the same strategy as yesterday allowing about 3 hours of slow travel to make around 20 miles to the Deep Creek Lock and the end of the Dismal Swamp. Yesterday when we arrived at the South Mills Lock we were lucky and got to go through early. It looked like the same would happen today. There were six boats northbound and at around 10:30 we reached the bridge just before the lock. The lockmaster told us he would raise the bridge for us as there was a little pond area where we could mill around or a dock we could tie up to. He said there were no southbound boats (they have priority and go first) at the time so he could probably lock us though early. As it turned out, right after saying that one showed up, so we had to wait around ½ hr while that boat locked through – then it was our turn. With the completion of the Deep Creek Lock we completed all of the locks on our Great Loop trip – 145.

We are really glad we took the Dismal Swamp route. Traveling from Albermarle Sound to just before the end of the Intracoastal in Norfolk we had 2 choices: The Virginia Cut or the Dismal Swamp. The Virginia Cut has deeper water and only one lock, but is not as picturesque. The Dismal Swamp route had two locks and passed through the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge. Construction of the hand dug canal started in the late 1700’s and it opened in 1805. Even George Washington had a hand in the creation of the canal. There is definitely a lot of history involved with this canal as it is the oldest operating artificial waterway in the U.S.

After passing through Deep Creek Lock, almost immediately you left the serene, peaceful waterway and entered the hustling port of Norfolk. What a contrast in just a matter of minutes.

We split company with Potest Fieri and Karen Anne as we were all going different places. We headed for the Waterside Marina in Norfolk arriving around 1:30. We settled in and walked around the area for awhile. Later in the evening we took the ferry over to Portsmouth and met Roger and Karen of Karen Anne at a local pub for dinner. They are flying home for a few weeks.

Back at the boat we did a few chores and then off to bed. The temps are in the low 60’s, so great sleeping weather.

Early morning in the Dismal Swamp. This is the same view as the sunset picture last night.

Danny had a smile on his face this morning and, why not, there was Irish Creme in his coffee. You can also see the stern of Salt Shaker owned by Tony and Pat (they just started the Loop a short time ago.)

Getting underway this was our view

We arrived in Virginia just after MM 25. Only one state to go before Loop completion.

Very thick vegetation along the banks of the canal

The view looking back

Oh my -- a turn in the canal -- better slow down as there is even a "Slow" sign (we averaged a break-neck speed of around 5 knots/hr)

A sign stating "visit of your own risk". Fortunately this was not for the main channel -- it was for one of the feeder ditches.

The Superintendent's House for the Dismal Swamp. Now there's a real selling point for the job.

Way up ahead we could see the bridge. We called the lock/bridge tender to see what our chances were to lock through early. At this point it looked good for an early lock through.

He raised the bridge (or as they called it here -- opened a hole) for us

As it turned out, a southbound boat arrived on the other side of the lock and they had first priority, so we had to hang out for awhile. Here are a couple of sailboats trying to stay out of each other's way.

The Captain was glad when we finally got to enter the lock

There was a Learning Center barge sponsored by the University of Virginia at the entrance to the lock. Lots of school-aged kids learning about the Elizabeth River.

Potest Fieri in the lock with crew Danny and Susan

... and Karen Anne with Roger on the bow

Our lockmaster was an accomplished conch player

This is the sign at MM 7.3 indicating the two different routes. Of course, we were coming from the other direction so we had just finished the Dismal Swamp.