We planned to depart Elizabeth City at 8:30am when the drawbridge opens. This would allow us to make both of the locks on the Dismal Swamp in one day. "Morning Star" (Randy and Cindy Pickleman), "Symmetry" (Tom & Lisa), "Esprit" (Art & Barb Dister) and "Compass Rose" were lined up to go through the bridge when the bridge tender informed us that one of the gates across the road would not go down. This interrupted the bridge lifting sequence and he could not raise it.
After milling around for thirty minutes, they finally got it fixed and we went through at 9am. The delay meant that we would have to make 9kts SOG to make the South Mills Lock at 11:30a. No way to do that in the serpentine Pasquotank River. So we all agreed to slow down and makie the 1:30p locking. Of course, that would mean we would not make the last locking of the day at the Deep Creek Lock.
After locking through at South Mills we continued on a few miles and stopped at the free docks at the North Carolina Visitors Center. All eight of us enjoyed a wonderful potluck dinner hosted by Cindy & Randy onboard "Morning Star".
Travelling through the Dismal Swamp is a not-to-be-missed experience. Considering that it was originally surveyed by George Washington, it is a step back in time. A very peaceful and relaxing journey...
Photo: "Symmetry" in the Dismal Swamp"
Photo: Locking through at Deep Creek
Photo: Crossing into Virginia
Photo: Pam at the North Carolina Visitors Center
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