Day 2
9/15/15
We left the free dock at the beginning of the Dismal Swamp Canal route at 7:45am so we could make the 8:30 lock opening into the canal. The lock raises the boat from the water level in the creek up 8 feet to the canal level. We were second in line at the lock and two more boats came up behind us. After we got into the lock we realized that the tug style boat behind us also had two Border Terriers aboard. We found out that the husband and wife team on that boat lives only about 20 minutes from us in Saluda, VA and they boat out of Urbanna, VA. Small world!
Robert, the lockmaster at this lock, was very friendly and helpful. After he helped each boat to tie up on the lock wall he explained to each one of us what to expect during the locking process. Then he raised the water level in the lock and while that was going on he gave us each a short history of the canal and asked us if we reached Key West or the Bahamas to please bring him back a conch shell to add to his collection in the front yard of the lock office.
Then he gave us a serenade on a conch shell horn and let us proceed.
The canal is 22 miles long and boat speed is limited in the canal to “no wake” speed, about 6-7 mph.
We made it to the Visitor Center, which is about 4 miles before the end of the canal. Since we were running a little ahead of schedule for the 1:30pm lock opening 4 miles further down the canal we decided to stop at the visitor center and walk the dogs and have lunch.
After lunch we went on to the end of the canal and our timing was perfect, we were able to go right through the draw bridge just before the lock which had been opened for the boat ahead of us without even slowing down. After locking 8 feet down to river level, we followed the beautiful upper Pasquotank River 18 miles downstream to
Elizabeth City, NC where we docked at the municipal marina.
They were so happy to see us they threw us a party with a live band!
No comments :
Post a Comment