We finally got to spend the night inside the Dismal Swamp tied to the Visitor's Center Free Wall.! We made the 8:30 bridge and lock opening at South Mills so we could be early to the free wall. We had attempted to stay there two other times but it was always so full when we came through that we ended up having to stay on the fender wall at South Mills. Not this time! When we arrived at the center there were already two boats tied up. A sailboater came and took my lines and helped me secure the boat to the wall. I am always so grateful for help especially since we had to pull into the middle of the two boats. The sailboat left shortly after we had tied up and eventually three other boats came onto the wall. Two of our fellow MTOA member boats rafted together behind us and High Cotton rafted on to us. We enjoyed them and their little dog KiKi. They would need to board and walk around our boat in order to get off onto the land. The guidebook says that if you are not willing to have other boats rafted to you and allow them to get to shore that you should not stay here. We have seen so many boats rafted together that it has almost closed the Swamp (across). This time of year that wasn't a problem.
We enjoyed docktails after dinner with all the boaters on the wall except for our new Canadian Looper friends who were getting an early start (6:00 am) so they could tie to Deep Creek wall and walk across road to Food Lion to provision before the 8:30 bridge/lock opening. We enjoyed catching up on MTOA news and enjoying a very quiet night in the swamp! It is so surreal to be on your boat at a roadside Visitor's Center where people get out of their cars and to stretch their legs walk down and look at the boats. I am so very glad we had this experience!
We were going to try and get to the 1:30 bridge opening at the north end of the swamp so we left just before 10:00. We were following Amanda J a 42' Tug that we had stayed behind at Washington NC. He was still single handling the boat and must have hit the 8:30 lock opening at the South end of the swamp.
Boaters always need to be advised when they traverse the Dismal Swamp they could potentially hit stumps or logs that are stirred up from the bottom. We entered the Swamp with a little too much speed (6.3 mph) and we did bump something pretty hard as soon as we left the South Mills Lock. We continued on to hit four more objects- the most we had ever hit on all our three trips combined! But thankfully when Dave was able to open it up after leaving the Swamp- we did not seem to have any vibration so hopefully we did not bend any of the props!
We got to Top Rack and took on the cheapest fuel of the trip! $1.83 a gallon for diesel! This marina also has a deal that if you eat at their restaurant- the Amber Lantern your dockage is free. Pretty good deal for us and them- as the restaurant is kind of pricey and it is easy to spend your required $75 at the restaurant. The food is really good there so we don't mind at all!
We were in no hurry the next morning to get up and moving as we were only going 6 miles into Waterside Marina in Norfolk. So we got to catch up on some boat chores and then got underway. It was a very hot day so when we got here we changed into cooler clothes and decided to walk around the city and then have lunch at Chili's- Dave's favorite which he hasn't had since Sarasota! We really aren't shoppers and really don't need anything so we only walked around the mall a little before walking towards the Nautilus and the battleship. We have come to Norfolk in the summer and fall and are used to bigger crowds walking all around the waterfront. They just weren't around! We thought maybe it would pick up Friday night but it remained pretty quiet- except for a wedding rehearsal on the sailboat American Rover which is parked at the Waterside Marina.
Saturday morning we decided to take the ferry over to the Portsmouth side and walk around. It too was very quiet- very different from the summer time when there are a lot more tourists. We got back to the boat early and then I experienced the best entertainment- all day long. I got to sit up on the bridge and watch 5 different wedding parties throughout the day. Some coming to the waterfront for pictures- (FRYEDAZE will be in some of their shots) and some coming to the large Norfolk tour boats for their actual ceremonies. There was also a prom from 10-2 on the large dinner cruise boat and it was fun seeing all the kids dressed up for the prom. What was really neat was watching some of them play in the water fountains next to the marina. I am not sure some of their mom's would have been too happy with their long, wet gowns when they got home but it sure was fun watching them just be kids! There were two weddings on the dinner cruise boat (afternoon and evening) and one on the paddleboat cruiser.
My favorite wedding was in the evening (the one we watched the rehearsal for the night before). The American Rover sailing vessel is large but limited in the number of guests and the movement on the boat. The bride came to the boat and hid out underneath with her bridesmaids who were beautiful in a very light green color! The groomsmen hung out in the park playing corn hole until it was time for them to board. I got to talk to some of the guests as they walked right behind us! Sadly, we didn't get to see the actual ceremony as they took off and it was performed underway. We knew when it was complete though as the boat fired off it's cannon! We watched the guests all disembark and the bridge really looked beautiful! (didn't get to see her as she didn't come up until after the boat took off and the ceremony began!) What a neat way to get married!!!!
We are leaving early this morning for Cape Charles (yes I am typing these blogs at 4 am as I just cannot sleep!) It is raining pretty hard now- but hopefully that will let up before we go or I will be in full foul weather gear again! We should get to Solomon's by Friday- but as Dave likes to say I am dragging the anchor as hard as I can to just stay out on the water! I don't want our dream trip to end!
South Mills Dismal Swamp Lock. Locked up about eight feet to enter the canal. Only one more lock to go.
Goodbye South Mills. Just a few miles to the visitors center and an evening with other boaters on the free wall.
The Visitors Center is the Highway 17 rest stop and the entrance to the Dismal Swamp State Park visitor center.
We arrived at the Deep Creek bridge a little early so we just tied off to the wall and waited until 1:30pm when the Lock Master came down to open it for us.
This is Lock 114 and our last lock of our Great Loop Trip! That's a lot of up and down. We had two other boats in the lock with us. It will be a while before we hit any locks again.
This is where you make your choice. Go to Elizabeth City through the Dismal Canal or head towards Great Bridge and the Intracoastal Waterway normal route. The distances are about the same.
A free overnight stop at the Dismal Swamp Canal visitors center. Its the Rt 17 rest stop and access point to the State park.
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| After a great dinner at Amber Lantern. |
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| CVN 77 George Bush |
Traffic in Norfolk. Good thing there is lots of room on the river. This is one busy place. Its fun just to listen to the tug operators talk to each other.
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| Beautiful lens on the Portsmouth waterfront. |
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| Bridge going up! We are standing by to go through. |
The Waterside complex is undergoing a face lift, Heck, its a full off body restoration. They have gutted the entire complex and are tearing down the section that Hooters was in. The waterfront is dead. We were here for a weekend and is was sad, no one was here. Hope 2017 brings back the activity here on the waterfront.
Look close, there is a sub in there.
Waterside Marina, not many visitors. High Cotton is the first boat to the right. They spent the night tied to us at the Dismal Visitors center.
Wisconsin is always impressive
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