Today's blog covers the trip from the rest area to Elizabeth City. I left at 7:15 to make sure that I made the lock and bridge at the end of the canal. Six boats locked through with me, this time we went down 8ft. It is amazing how fast the water comes in and out of the locks. I didn't time it, but it took less than 10 min. The river that the canal leads into was very twisty and very beautiful. My goal was to stop at Elizabeth City. I had read about the "City of Hospitality". Many years ago, two old retired guys wanted to do something for the visiting boaters. First of all the town provides free dockage. When I arrived there were several older gentlemen ready to take my dock lines and help me into the slip. After I was tied up Gus, one of the volunteers welcomed me and all the boats that came in at the same time. We were then invited to a wine and cheese party at 4:00 PM. This is all provided free of charge, it is all volunteers and donations. No wonder it is called the "City of Hospitality. All the woman also get a rose! I am spending the weekend here for two reasons, first the weather was to be too windy for the next leg. Second and most important I have rented a car to go pick up Candy at Colleens to join me for the rest of the adventure. We will leave Elizabeth City on Monday morning to head to the Alligator river. The following pictures are of the trip to Elizabeth City and of the water front.
You have really been lucky with the weather and more great pix. I looked at the Dismal Swamp Canal on Google Maps and it is quite interesting. First just navigating to it through the harbor area and then winding around followed by a straight shot parallel to Rte 17, then winding to Elizabeth City. Just curious, how come the intracoastal route takes you this way as opposed to Currituck Sound? Could you have gone that way? Good luck on the next leg and have fun with Candy.
ReplyDeleteGreg, I read a book about the war for Independence in which the Dismal swamp was mentioned. There was no canal just a path ,snakes and quick sand. Modernization or writers perogitive?
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