Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1, 2011

Dismal Swamp Visitor Center, NC to Waterside Marina, Norfolk, VA:  Got going about 07:30 to get ahead of the Kayak and Canoe races starting by 08:00 at the Visitor Center.  We also had to make the 11:00 opening of the Deep Creek Lock.  We crossed over into Virginia at 08:07 at mile marker 24.9.  The lock was terrible; we called several times, both on Channel 13 and by phone, but did not get an answer so we tied up to the bridge and waited.  The same person operates the bridge and the lock.  We later found out he was mowing the lawn.  By the time we got into the lock the wind had picked up some and we had a hard time keeping our bow close to the lock wall so the Lock Master tied my rope to the wall.  Keith was also having trouble with the 2nd rope; we were higher than the lock wall and nothing on the fixed bollard to keep his rope tight and the wind kept blowing if off.  I thought that the Lock Master forgot he tied my rope to the lock wall and Rich, from Chris Lea, got off his boat and untied it before the lock started to lower.  Boy, what a mess, I'll be glad to get back on the river system again.  We were just a short distance from Norfolk after locking through.  We got there early and had to wait on the automated bridge #7 which opens on the half hour.  Then, on the half hour, a train decided to come down the tracks so we waited for another half hour.  Going through Norfolk to our marina we saw a Troop Transport, an Aircraft Carrier, and a nuclear submarine in for maintenance.  We got gas and into our slip.  After 4 days without electricity other than our generator it was good to take a long, hot, shower at the marina rather than the short 10 minute ones on the boat.  Did a bunch of washing and by then it was 19:30.  We went to dinner at Joe's Crab Shack and then it was time for bed.

Day 2 at Waterside Marina, Norfolk, VA:  We took the day off and toured the Naval Museum, Nauticus and the battleship USS Wisconsin-pretty impressive.  The Wisconsin was the biggest battleship ever made.

CO's comments:  How many of you knew that the USS Wisconsin was also the fastest battleship; it can go 50 mph and can carry over 2.3 millions gallons of fuel.  At times it refueled other ships.  The cost was just over 110 million dollars to build in 1944.  I think the marines should have 2 battleships; one for the Pacific and one for the Atlantic, to support our marines in future battles. 

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From our slip at Waterside Marina
in Norfolk, VA

A very busy port, Norfolk, VA

Now that's an anchor!

USS Wisconsin

Big Guns

 

Friday, April 29, 2011

Friday, Elizabeth City, NC, to the Dismal Swamp Visitors Center, NC:  Three boats left to make the 07:30 bridge opening-Tony M, Chris Lea, and Kim Jo III.  It was a little chilly early this morning but when the sun came out it turned into a beautiful day; a big change from yesterday's winds and storm.  We went up the Pasquotank River to the Turner Cut and then went through South Mills Lock and the official beginning of the Dismal Swamp.  I can remember reading about the Dismal Swamp Canal over a year ago and thinking why would anyone want to go there.  It turns out to be a beautiful route.  I also remember reading about the depth of the swamp and they were not kidding when the said it is a constant 6 feet deep.  We were OK but Rich on Chris Lea has a 5 1/2 ' draft and he hit a few time but thinks he is fine.  There is enough room for 3 boats our size to tie up at the visitor center and it is free.  We have 4 boats so far so Chris Lea is rafting to Tony M.  We visited the center and museum and took a short walk in the swamp.  It was a very nice afternoon.  The Dismal Swamp opened officially in 1803.  In the late 1600s, the Dismal Swamp was much larger than today's swamp.  Early explorers, such as William Byrd II, thought the swamp should be used for agricultural use but the task proved unprofitable.  Also, during the time of slavery, the Great Dismal Swamp offered a refuge to runaway slaves.


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CO's comments:  I did bump the bottom once going through the Dismal Swamp.  Ever since we have been on the East Coast it has been very hard to keep the boat clean.  It seems like dirt just falls out of the sky.  In the past we have seen boats with a gold coloring on the bow which looks like a mustache.  Now we are starting to get one; it comes from the acid in the waters we are traveling.

Rafting at Dismal Swamp
Visitor Center on 4-29-2011

  Good-Bye Elizabeth City Dock-
Chris Lea was the last to leave

Driving up the Dismal Swamp
Canal on 4-29-2011

Going under the Dismal Swamp
Canal Bridge with Tony M behind us

April 26 and 27, 2011, Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday, Alligator Creek Marina, NC to Elizabeth City, NC:  Today was decision time for us.  We had to decide if we were going to do Route 1-Virginia Cut or Route 2-Dismal Swamp.  We have been tossing it back and forth for over a week now.  We chose the Dismal Swamp.  Everyone says it is much prettier.  We left at 06:30 so we could get across the Albemarle Sound before the thunder storms hit.  Going through 10 miles of the Sound we had the wind and waves at our stern which was helpful and just the last 5 miles it was at our Port. Then as we entered Pasquottank River the wind and waves were on our stern again.  It was a beautiful morning and the sound was relatively calm and so was the Pasquottank River.   We got within 1/2 mile of Elizabeth City, NC, before the rain hit.  By the time we got to the free docks it had stopped.  There were already several other boaters there to help us in.  After getting to Elizabeth City it rained on and off the rest of the day and night.  We did; however, have a little problem when leaving Alligator Creek Marina.  About 6 miles past the bridge there was a very narrow passage with a lot of shoaling by G5, Long Shoal Point.  The chart said 7 feet but the props touched bottom a little.  Keith thinks we are OK.  We now know to favor the Green Marker; we thought we were but I guess you have to be practically on top of it.  Coming up the Pasquottank River we saw a civilian Blimp Manufacture and there was a blimp outside.  It is my understanding that this is 1 of 2 places that manufactures blimps in the US.  The only one that is not made here is the Good Year Blimp.

Wednesday, Elizabeth City Free Dock: Do to the weather forecast we stayed another day and will possibly stay on Thursday also. We had a very nice dinner last night at Grouper's Waterfront Grill right next to the docks. It was delicious and the price was right in line with other restaurants on the east coast. The local grocery store picked us up to do shopping and when we were done they took us back to the boat. A very nice service for the boaters; one of the many. We also went to the free Museum of the Albemarle which had several artifacts on display, covering 400 years of local history.  Elizabeth City is also home to the largest Coast Guard Airborne Station in the US.  The City hosted a wine and cheese party for all the boaters this evening and all the women got a rose.  This has been a custom of the City for several years.

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CO's comments:  Each time you stop at a marina it is very important to talk to locals about any problems you might encounter in the local waters.  I thought I was favoring the green side but we still touched bottom.  Other boaters came through there ran within 2 feet of the green marker and had no problem.

Our tie-up at Alligator River Marina

Marina entrance and Alligator River Bridge

Blimp outside hanger-Pasquottank River

First view of the Blimp and Hanger

At the docks in Elizabeth City, NC

Wine and Cheese party

My rose!

April 24 & 25, 2011, Sunday and Monday

Sunday, Whittaker Pointe Marina, NC to Dowry Creek Marina, Belhaven, NC:  We left early and Joe helped us with our ropes.  We just met Joe Wilson; he is doing most of the Loop by himself because his wife is still working.  He has a Nordic Tug-Pilgrim.  When she has time off from work, she joins him and will be on the Loop all summer.  We woke up to very warm and humid weather.  About 09:00 the sun went behind the clouds by it still was very humid.  Yesterday and today we saw tows, each pushing 2 barges and carrying Phosphate.  It was almost like being back on the Mississippi River.  The Pungo River was full of crab pods today both in and out of the channel; had to watch extra careful.  When we got to the marina we got gas and a pump out before getting into our slip.  Since it was Easter, the marina had a cook out planned for their guests.  We all brought something to pass and we had "Hot Dogs" for the main meal.  There were about 30 people there and we all had a good time.  We met the former Mayor of Elizabeth City, NC, Steve and his wife Joan on a Pacific Trawler-Carolina.  They hope to start the Loop next spring.  Steve filled us in on what to do and where to stay in Elizabeth City.
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Monday, Dowry Creek Marina, Belhaven, NC to Alligator Creek Marina, Columbia, NC:  We got another early start to try and cover a lot of water before the wind started blowing hard.  There were 4 of us that left early; we were like a caravan going up the river.  The Pungo River went smoothly as well as the Alligator River/Pungo River Canal.  It was hot all day in the 80's and humid again.  The Alligator River is huge and by early afternoon it got a little choppy with waves from 1 1/2 to 2 feet.  They were working on the bridge so the bridge tender waited until all 6 boats got to the bridge before opening it so we waited about 30 minutes.  We finally got to our marina on the other side of the bridge; 2 boats kept going on the Elizabeth City and the rest of us stopped for the night. 

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CO's comments:  At Dowry Creek we got fuel, asked the Dock Master which slip to go in and he told me to back into Slip 8.  I did so.  Later, when 4 other boats came in he had them all come in bow first.  I asked him why he wanted me to back in and all the rest came in bow first?  He told me that he did not want to embarrass the other boaters.  I think that was a pat on the back.

Kim Jo III at Belhaven, NC

Belhaven Sun Rise on 4-25-2011

Dowrey Creek Marina, NC