10/14/11
Today we finished seeing the oldest canal in America. It was originally surveyed by George Washington in 1763. The Great Dismal Swamp is actually not dismal at all. It got its name from what locals used to call any swampy land, "a dismal".
Six of the eight boats all left at the same time to reach the 8:30 South Mills Bridge and Lock opening. This is a very interesting lock that drops 9-12 feet into the Pasquotank River. It leads into a very straight picturesque section called Turner's Cut which empties into the winding Pasquotank River at Mile 36.7 The Pasquotank is a very windy, twisty but wider body of water which requires strict attention to markers and water depths. It is quite beautiful. Woke Capt. Ron from his siesta as we passed Goat Island. The channel gets trickier (for me) as we approached the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge opening which is only 42 feet wide with strong current...not my cup of tea! He, on the other hand loves it. By this time there were only two of the original boats traveling in sight of each other, CAVU and Valor. The wind started really kicking up and we needed to go through the Elizabeth City Twin Highway Bridge...missing the half hour opening. We were happy to hear the bridge tender say she would open anyway for the two of us. So, we quickly caught up with Valor and went through the last bridge of the day.
Our destination for the day was Mariner's Wharf at Elizabeth City's free docks....There was only one slip left which was taken by Valor, but the local "volunteer dockmaster" and another boater waved us on in to the wharf wall to do a side tie. This was managed smartly against a 19 knot west wind trying to push us off, with their friendly assistance. I'm getting better at line handling with each day! Meanwhile, the Captain threw his before cleating it...then again, he was also driving...
We were invited to a Wine and Cheese Boaters Welcome party put on by the famed "Rose Buddies" where I received the traditional roses. Back in the 80's a man in town used to personally greet all the incoming cruisers with a rose from his gardens. The town has continued this tradition in his honor, even though he passed away several years ago. It is very much a source of town pride to welcome cruisers.
10/15/11
Today is a lay day because of the heavy winds which make crossing the shallow Albemarle Sound uncomfortable.
We toured the town and went to a fantastic free Museum of the Albemarle Sound. It presented through excellent formats the history of the region that we felt was unexpected in a small town like this. Did you know that the Wright Brothers came to Elizabeth City to be ferried with their equipment by a local fisherman to Kitty Hawk?
It's been a beautiful day, roses still blooming and tomorrow we move again!
Today we finished seeing the oldest canal in America. It was originally surveyed by George Washington in 1763. The Great Dismal Swamp is actually not dismal at all. It got its name from what locals used to call any swampy land, "a dismal".
Six of the eight boats all left at the same time to reach the 8:30 South Mills Bridge and Lock opening. This is a very interesting lock that drops 9-12 feet into the Pasquotank River. It leads into a very straight picturesque section called Turner's Cut which empties into the winding Pasquotank River at Mile 36.7 The Pasquotank is a very windy, twisty but wider body of water which requires strict attention to markers and water depths. It is quite beautiful. Woke Capt. Ron from his siesta as we passed Goat Island. The channel gets trickier (for me) as we approached the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge opening which is only 42 feet wide with strong current...not my cup of tea! He, on the other hand loves it. By this time there were only two of the original boats traveling in sight of each other, CAVU and Valor. The wind started really kicking up and we needed to go through the Elizabeth City Twin Highway Bridge...missing the half hour opening. We were happy to hear the bridge tender say she would open anyway for the two of us. So, we quickly caught up with Valor and went through the last bridge of the day.
Our destination for the day was Mariner's Wharf at Elizabeth City's free docks....There was only one slip left which was taken by Valor, but the local "volunteer dockmaster" and another boater waved us on in to the wharf wall to do a side tie. This was managed smartly against a 19 knot west wind trying to push us off, with their friendly assistance. I'm getting better at line handling with each day! Meanwhile, the Captain threw his before cleating it...then again, he was also driving...
We were invited to a Wine and Cheese Boaters Welcome party put on by the famed "Rose Buddies" where I received the traditional roses. Back in the 80's a man in town used to personally greet all the incoming cruisers with a rose from his gardens. The town has continued this tradition in his honor, even though he passed away several years ago. It is very much a source of town pride to welcome cruisers.
10/15/11
Today is a lay day because of the heavy winds which make crossing the shallow Albemarle Sound uncomfortable.
We toured the town and went to a fantastic free Museum of the Albemarle Sound. It presented through excellent formats the history of the region that we felt was unexpected in a small town like this. Did you know that the Wright Brothers came to Elizabeth City to be ferried with their equipment by a local fisherman to Kitty Hawk?
It's been a beautiful day, roses still blooming and tomorrow we move again!
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