ELIZABETH CITY, NC TO DISMAL SWAMP CANAL WELCOME CENTER IN NC

Saturday, May 16th, 2015

Day 285
Miles Traveled: 23
Total Miles Traveled: 3781



  We left Elizabeth City, NC and continued on the Pasquotank River.  Like most rivers, "You never know what you are going to see on the river".  Do you see the chair in the tree?  Not sure how one would get up there to sit and enjoy the view. 

interesting place to put a chair

  The river narrowed up and we came to a "Y" in the waterway.  If we went left, we would have continued on the Pasquotank River (however, for our size vessel it is really not navigable beyond this point).  Instead, we turned right and headed into Turner Cut.

"Y" in the river

cruising along Turner Cut

  

  We ended Turner Cut at the South Mills Lock.  Just past the lock is the South Mills Bascule Bridge which has to be lifted.  The lock master manages both the lock and the bridge.  They have to be coordinated for transiting the waterway.

Angie on the bow of  "Seahorse" in South Mills Lock

  After leaving the South Mills Lock, we entered the Dismal Swamp Canal.  This is a very straight and shallow waterway with beautiful tree lined banks.  This 22 mile canal provided a route from the Albemarle Sound to Norfolk, VA and enabled businesses to ship goods and crops to market without having to travel through the treacherous Ocracoke Inlet.  The canal was dug by slaves between 1793 and 1805.

Dismal Swamp

  About four miles north of the South Mills Lock is the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center.  It is the only facility in the United States to greet visitors by both a major highway and historic waterway.  There is a 150 foot face dock for boats to tie up along.  The docks are free and there is no power or water.  About 3-4 boats can tie off along the wall and then other boats will raft off to them.  It has been reported that as many as 25 boats have used this free dockage at one time.  Just before arriving at the dock, we had to wait for a pedestrian bridge that spans the waterway to be opened.  It allows visitors to walk across and explore the Dismal Swamp Canal Museum and Dismal Swamp Trails.  "Mighty Fine" tied off first, then "Horizon Chaser" and then "Seahorse".  We walked over the pedestrian bridge and visited the museum and took a walk on the boardwalk trail.  

"Seahorse" rafted to "Horizon Chaser" rafted to "Mighty Fine" at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center free docks

  That evening we all gathered on "Horizon Chaser" and watched the Preakness race.  We each bet $1 (big spenders) and drew our horse name.  Jacque was the lucky winner.  We then enjoyed grilling dinner on our boats.