Dismal Swamp

10/12/11
Fun Happy Hour aboard CAVU with new friends Jeannie and Bill on NEMO and  Kathy and Dan  on MAJIK. 
10/13/11
Left the slip at 7:20 am for the 8:30 Gilmerton Bridge Opening...of course...we would be the first ones...and to top it off the book departure times are off by an hour . The bridge did not open til 9:30!! This meant motoring, idling around for an hour with another boat who must have been given the same info we had. Other boats started to arrive around 9:15...they must have updated info or be locals..
Finally went under bridge with about 8 other boats and a huge tug. Almost missed the turn off, which comes immediately to starboard,  for the Dismal Swamp.  Only one of the boats chose this route with us, an American Tug named Winter Hawk.
As soon as we took this route all the hub-bub and confusion ended. It was total peace and quiet
First challenge was the Deep Creek Lock, which is fortunately run by a very friendly and helpful Lockmaster named Robert. All the fenders were in place but I was unsure of how to maneuver the lines. I told him immediately that this was "my first lock" and he responded with clear and patient directions which will make every lock opening from now on much more enjoyable.
Observed the owners of Winter Hawk present Robert with a conch shell whistle which he promptly began to entertain us with as the water in the lock rose. It seems there is a tradition for those returning from the south to give Robert a shell as a token of appreciation). Cool... will remember that!
As we motored out of the lock the whole world changed. It was almost magical with total quiet, surrounded by tall trees and lush undergrowth.  We motored along like the African Queen. If you haven't seen the movie you might not get the picture!  Soon a large Blue Heron began to escort us in majestic fashion swooping from side to side in front of us, keeping perfect pace with CAVU. as if to say "this way,this way" As we motored along with our escort we held back a bit and let Winter Hawk who had been in front of us pull away and then it was just CAVU alone, moving along with nature teeming on both sides. The sun popped in and out frequently making a reflective path upon the center of the canal, a perfect line to follow as we took this most pleasant colorful early autumn adventure.
As we approached Mile Marker 24 clouds started building and truck noise could be heard. Yes, we were paralleling US 17 on our portside, weird! At Mile Marker 25 we crossed over into North Carolina as the Captain took his afternoon snooze. As we pulled up to the free dock at Mile Marker 28 a loud clap of thunder matched my line looping the piling. We tied up quickly and dropped the enclosure to the powerful thunderstorm that hit us, thankfully perfect timing. When storm was over we were treated to a gorgeous rainbow.
We sat dry and safe in the cockpit remarking on our good fortune and at the place we had just discovered (rumor has it) the only Rest Stop/Visitor Center of its kind accessible by both boat and car. Too Cool!
Enjoyed a quick stir fry dinner in the cockpit and then walked up to the Visitor Center for a little tour.
Arriving back at boat we were greeted by another boat approaching the full dock. We helped him raft up to our boat. Wow, was this guy an interesting singlehandler. Well after dark an odd light configuration could be seen coming down the canal. Turned out to be a small sailboat with another larger one on a "hip tow". They also need to raft up to the boat rafted to us...This made for an interesting evening as all of these people need to go from the outside boat across ours to get to the dock. Crazy interesting night. ...