Deep Creek lock, North end of the Great Dismal Swamp Canal, 10 boats locked through together.
Getting past the urban industrial areas and into the “Great Dismal Swamp’ was a nice change, it was a lovely day and the trees were spectacular – pines, junipers, sycamores, oaks and cedars, some turning colour and dropping their leaves, nuts and needles on our boat. An entertaining lock master, and a parade of boats that became a congenial group to be with for the rest of the trip past the Welcome Center (where we stayed the night) to Elizabeth City. The “Rose Buddies" were in Liz City to meet us and helpful hosts. Our group of nine boats tied up at the FREE Public Dock. We had ‘wine and cheese’ with the city’s sailing enthusiasts and then dinner with 5 other couples who we hope to see again soon.
The next morning we got up early to get past the Alligator River Canal-it was windy and choppy. Not very pretty and noisy at times with military fighter fighter jets practicing. We got as far as we could Tuckahoe Pt. with a few other boats anchored within sight. This area was "dismal", most of the land being at sea level and the trees and other vegetation dying off. We can't help but wonder that global warming and the consequential rise in sea levels are having an effect here.
Early set off and back on the ICW, (Alligator River-Pungo River Canal). This is a stretch about 20 miles long and 300 ft wide, and 12 to 15 ft deep. There was a steady stream of southbound boat traffic, mostly us 5-6 knot sailboats. When a big fast power cruiser came up, we would slow to about 3 knots and they pass at 6-7 knots, as not to bowel us over with their big wakes. Most happily, we made it to Belhaven and luckily nabbed a spot at a marina just as the wind was picking up- here for ‘ a big NW blow. (30-35 knts) Met up with some previous acquaintances from other ports- Michael, from Wind in The Willows (had tea with him) and John and Eva from Anna and Victoria out of Marblehead, MA., along with a few others. The night was very noisy, and the boat is still bobbing up and down at the dock. The high temp today was around 50 F and its going down to 35 tonight. Have our heater on as we write this. We used some time to read up on the trip the Lundins took last year- Jane’s blog and her log are very helpful –we can relate to “Slogging South” right about now!
Tomorrow, we will try to get as far as the "Oriental City" area.
PS It's very slow uploading pictures to the blog. takes 5-15 minutes or so per picture at this marina wi fi spot. Will put a few pictures up when things improve.
So far this is how it has gone:
MOXIE LOG
DATE: PORT:
Oct 14-20/14 Crown Marine, Deltaville, VA
Oct 21/14 Anchorage, Reedville, VA
Oct 22/14 Buzzard’s Point Marina, Reedville, VA
Oct 23-24/14 Anchorage, Jackson’s Creek, VA
Oct 25/14 Anchorage, Sarah Creek, VA
Oct 26/14 Town Marina- Norfolk, VA
Oct -27-28/14 Ocean Marine Yacht, Portsmouth, VA
Oct 29/14 Great Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, VA
Oct 30 /14 Elizabeth City, NC
Oct 31/14 Anchorage, Tuckahoe Pt., NC (Mile 104.4 IWC)
Nov 1-2/ 14 Belhaven Waterways Marina, NC (Mile 135 IWC)
The next morning we got up early to get past the Alligator River Canal-it was windy and choppy. Not very pretty and noisy at times with military fighter fighter jets practicing. We got as far as we could Tuckahoe Pt. with a few other boats anchored within sight. This area was "dismal", most of the land being at sea level and the trees and other vegetation dying off. We can't help but wonder that global warming and the consequential rise in sea levels are having an effect here.
Early set off and back on the ICW, (Alligator River-Pungo River Canal). This is a stretch about 20 miles long and 300 ft wide, and 12 to 15 ft deep. There was a steady stream of southbound boat traffic, mostly us 5-6 knot sailboats. When a big fast power cruiser came up, we would slow to about 3 knots and they pass at 6-7 knots, as not to bowel us over with their big wakes. Most happily, we made it to Belhaven and luckily nabbed a spot at a marina just as the wind was picking up- here for ‘ a big NW blow. (30-35 knts) Met up with some previous acquaintances from other ports- Michael, from Wind in The Willows (had tea with him) and John and Eva from Anna and Victoria out of Marblehead, MA., along with a few others. The night was very noisy, and the boat is still bobbing up and down at the dock. The high temp today was around 50 F and its going down to 35 tonight. Have our heater on as we write this. We used some time to read up on the trip the Lundins took last year- Jane’s blog and her log are very helpful –we can relate to “Slogging South” right about now!
Tomorrow, we will try to get as far as the "Oriental City" area.
PS It's very slow uploading pictures to the blog. takes 5-15 minutes or so per picture at this marina wi fi spot. Will put a few pictures up when things improve.
So far this is how it has gone:
MOXIE LOG
DATE: PORT:
Oct 14-20/14 Crown Marine, Deltaville, VA
Oct 21/14 Anchorage, Reedville, VA
Oct 22/14 Buzzard’s Point Marina, Reedville, VA
Oct 23-24/14 Anchorage, Jackson’s Creek, VA
Oct 25/14 Anchorage, Sarah Creek, VA
Oct 26/14 Town Marina- Norfolk, VA
Oct -27-28/14 Ocean Marine Yacht, Portsmouth, VA
Oct 29/14 Great Dismal Swamp Welcome Center, VA
Oct 30 /14 Elizabeth City, NC
Oct 31/14 Anchorage, Tuckahoe Pt., NC (Mile 104.4 IWC)
Nov 1-2/ 14 Belhaven Waterways Marina, NC (Mile 135 IWC)
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