2 May, 2021 Beautiful day cruising into the Great Dismal Swamp

 

26 SM; 5.7 hours

Wonderful sleep, peaceful anchorage; nary a stir of wind last night .  last night's anchorage What a great change.  Oatmeal for breakfast as we discussed today's plans.  Winds were forecast to increase to 15-20 but for today we were in protected waters.  Decided to travel a short distance through Elizabeth City to Lamb's marina and get diesel, drinking water, dump trash and walk.  Called the marina and Mr. Lamb answered the phone and confirmed he had all we needed.  A short distance day planned, but knew operating/traveling hours would be high due to much slow speed idle/no wake miles.  Anchor up at 1015 and we tied along the fuel dock at 1100.  

Along the way we requested Elizabeth City draw bridge opening and passed under and thanked the bridge tender.  Shortly, we were headed down the narrow channel off the Pasquotank river to Lamb's.

What else do you need?

Mr Lamb greeted us at the fuel dock.  While we did not really need diesel, we did need to dump trash and get drinking water as we have been on the hook nearly a week and intend to remain on the hook a few more nights.  Mr Lamb has owned the store/marina for 40 years.  He bought out his dad 40 years ago who started the business.  Mr Lamb is 77 and looking to sell.  He can not get reliable help and as of yet not found a buyer.  Interesting place, but he has lost a lot of business due to : COVID, new dollar general 0.1 miles away and he just cannot find good help.  I am afraid the small family business will be lost to developers.

Underway we headed to the swamp.  The swamp canal is 22 miles long with a lock and draw bridge at each end.  The last opening of both was at 1530.  The marvels of technology, I put the stubby pencil and charts away and plugged the numbers into the navigation software and at 1200 RPM we would arrive shortly before lock opening.  So for the next two hours as we journeyed northward;  the Pasquotank River continued to narrow becoming serpentine until finally, straight as an arrow, a man-made canal dug into the swamp.

Can almost tough the sides of the tree

To enter the Dismal swamp canal you have to lock up at the first northbound lock; South Mills.  We called the lock master and said we were standing by for the scheduled opening.  He rogered our request.  We had to do a few circles as we were 15 minutes early.  Did not want to be late as the lock would not open again until 0830 next morning.  We easily cleared the lock and lift bridge and proceed 4 miles to our destination.

Lock doors ahead while water comes in

Serenity along lock wall.  8 foot rise up

South mills draw bridge

Exiting the lock and passing the open draw bridge we are officially travelers of the dismal swamp canal.  Four more miles and we arrived at the free wall at the Dismal Swamp Canal visitor center.  Easily tied up, we are the only boat here tonight and we have not seen another boat since earlier today around the marina area.

So much history. NC state park  and Dismal Swamp history

Safe and secure at free wall

We grilled for the first time as there is zero wind this evening.  Probably a little buggy but price is right.   Tomorrow will explore; visitor center and the state park just a block away.  Hiking, reading and looking.  May remain another night or depart later tomorrow afternoon.

3500 SM traveled; 1651.4 hours hobbs