Elizabeth City and the Dismal Swamp Canal

God is good to us.
I admit, Belhaven was a little sketchy... but the very next night, as we were anchored in a little cove just past the Alligator River, we spotted a familiar boat coming in.

FRIENDS!
We really just met AJ and Lisa, on the SV/Susan M. Jackson while we were in Beaufort, SC. However, they own a Seawind catamaran too- and that sort of makes us automatic friends.
We were both headed to Elizabeth City and- since they were way faster than us- they saved us a spot at the free city dock there.
We enjoyed getting to know them better while we were in town (even went to a real museum with them...with air conditioning.)
What a nice town Elizabeth City is! They throw a free wine and cheese reception for the new sailors that come in, complete with a rose for all the ladies. Ms. Tourism encouraged us to stay till Tuesday, when there would be a farmer's market and movie in the park- so we stayed- and enjoyed ourselves tremendously.


On Wednesday we took off (following AJ and Lisa) to sail up the Dismal Swamp Canal.

It's beautiful. Not dismal at all. It's quiet, narrow waterway that runs through a lush swampy forest for 51 miles. That takes two days for us... but there's a (free) dock at the NC welcome station half-way through, with room for 2 or 3 boats. Such a deal!


Ted got some great pictures...

I'm steering with the auto-pilot remote...trying to find some breeze and shade.

rafted up with the Susan M. Jackson, waiting for a bridge to open.

Working the lines in the lock, a first for me... but I just copied what AJ and Lisa were doing. ;). It all worked out.
And then up a lazy river...


We're finally in the Chesapeake tonight! We're surrounded by the Naval Station- and lots and lots of warships.

It appears that we're close to the local yacht club, too- because we were treated to a little regatta as we sat down to dinner... This life is seldom boring, eh?

And now... the Chesapeake Chapter begins!!