The locktender drove by and notified us that she was opening the drawbridge so we were ready to go so passed the sailboat and headed on through the Dismal Swamp Canal. It was overcast and a chilly 59 degrees as we slowly made our way past the North Carolina Visitor Center and then past the Lake Drummond free docks. Two sailing catamarans caught up with us and wanted to tie to the seawall at Deep Creek Bridge so we gave them the spot and put our anchor down to wait until 1:30. Our Frenchie sailboat cruised up just in time for the bridge opening and came into the lock with us. They then decided to back out and go to the Elizabeth Park free dock which was originally where we were going to stop. We then decided to head through the lock and anchor outside where we had before in our sailboat so we could get an early getaway if the winds have died down in the Chesapeake Bay. It was too windy to continue on to Willoughby Bay as originally planned. Another great day in the Dismal Swamp. We have heard and seen so many birds along this route.
 |
| Church at South Mills Bridge |
 |
| Waving goodbye to our lock tender at the bridge |
 |
| The canal narrowed |
 |
| Our Frenchie sailboat falls behind us at South Mills Bridge |
 |
| Lots of waterlilies barely blooming |
 |
| Gorgeous wild roses blooming |
 |
| Canal mile markers |
 |
| Nice walking path along the canal near State Park |
 |
| The original canal system had more locks |
 |
| Passed in a narrow spot by one sail cat |
 |
| Pedestrian bridge at the welcome center |
 |
| Across the pedestrian bridge to the State Park second welcome center |
 |
| At the free docks at the welcome center boats usually rafted up |
 |
| We've stopped at the welcome center several times by car |
 |
| The Dismal Swamp Canal continues into Virginia |
 |
| A great blue heron flew back and forth with us |
 |
| We remembered staying at this dock in our sailboat |
 |
| A boat ramp and kayakers |
 |
| One of the few houses |
 |
| A farmer has a bridge he pulls across for moving stock |
 |
| Rules for life jackets |
 |
| Park restroom and free dock |
 |
| Two catamarans at the visitor center now at South Mills seawall |
 |
| The Frenchie sailboat catches back up at Deep Creek Bridge |
 |
| Our lockmaster bringing in the Frenchies |
 |
| We miss our conch-blowing legendary lockmaster Robert |
 |
| We've come aways |
 |
| Crew tending the ropes |
 |
| Waving goodbye to Harry |
 |
| Almost closed and us anchored outside |
No comments:
Post a Comment