We had been looking forward to cruising the Dismal Swamp since we started the trip. It truly is something everyone should experience. It is a whole lot of peace and tranquilly wrapped up with a little stress and anxiety. While traveling the swamp and enjoying the beauty, one must also constantly monitor the shallow depth and be on the lookout for submerged trees and logs. The Dismal Swamp Canal stretches 22 miles, connecting the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia — via the Elizabeth River — to the Albemarle Sound in North Carolina — via the Pasquotank River. As the oldest continually operating man-made canal in the United States, it is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We traveled the Dismal Swamp over two days, spending the first night at the free dock outside of the Welcome Center. The Dismal Swamp Welcome Center is the only welcome center in the US that serves both highway and waterway travelers.
The wildlife sightings were amazing. The Lock Master pointed this beauty out to us while we were exchanging lines.The view while making the bed.We learned the dark water, which allows for unbelievable reflections, is because of the tannic acids from the barks of junipers, gum and cypress and other plant life. Yes, we saw a few snakes swimming in the creek, along with turtles and a bald eagle in a tree. Very little civilization along the creek but these folks know how to capitalize on peace and tranquility.Getting closer to home and more miles on this leg of the Great Loop!This was our first real experience with locks! The Dismal Swamp Canal includes two locks, one at Deep Creek, Va., and the other in the small North Carolina village of South Mills. The first lock raised us eight feet and the second lowered us eight feet! The Bridge Master is also the Lock Master so, once he opens the bridge for you, he drives his car down the road to operate the lock! No breweries in the swamp, so we brought some beverages to enjoy!The first day we traveled the Dismal Swamp was rainy, so luckily only three boats stopped at the Welcome Center for the night. The wall only holds three boats, then boats need to raft to each other. The next morning, we set up the GoPro and started the engines, traveling the swamp is all about timing the bridges and locks. Unbeknownst to us and with no planning, everyone left in order. They call it “dismal” but it truly is an amazing place.
