Saturday, July 30, 2011

76°21,359’ W

36°30,406’ N

Dismal Swamp Visitors Center

South Mills, North Carolina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – to our granddaughter Katherine.

Dismal Swamp

To start off the day Ricki with help from Linda and Barb made a brunch fit for royalty. Once our bellies were full we got underway around 11:30 am radioed for a bridge to open up then slowly cruised down the canal that got narrower and narrower as we got deeper into the waterway. The color of the water is very dark brown almost black and referred to as Carolina Tea!



Along the Dismal Swamp



 

The natural part of the water way is winding with heavy vegetation flanking both banks. With all of the vegetation reflecting on the glassy water the cruise was very spectacular. As we entered the man made portion of the canal referred to as the ditch, we entered a lock and the boat was raised 8 feet.

 

South Mills Lock



The water is very slow moving and covered with duck weed which looks like your cruising through pea soup with the peas floating on top! We knew that just beneath the green surface lurked a log or something trying to damage a prop or rudder. In some areas it was impossible to see any water from bank to bank it was so thick. As lead boat our wake left a trail of open water behind that looked like a water ribbon.

 



Our speed was restricted to 6 mph with no wake so we slowly cruised north up the canal. Even with our slow speed, both of our boats touched bottom or something else with no apparent damage.





Duck Weed on the Dismal Swamp



We’re spending the night tied to a face dock at the welcome center for this national treasure. Tomorrow we will cruise through the second half before entering Norfolk, Virginia.



What a beautiful area to cruise through!!!