Serenity had another great cruise down the Dismal Swamp Canal. We left Hampton, VA, got stopped at a bridge for a train, and missed the 11:30 AM opening of the Deep Creek Lock. So, we tied off on a dolphin and had a nice lunch. I even got a short nap in before the 1:30 opening. We were the only boat in the lock, so we got personal service. The cruise down the canal all by ourselves to the 28 mile marker and the North Carolina Welcome Station was uneventful and very pretty with a hint of the fall colors emerging. At the Welcome Station we were greeted by cruisers we had met in Hampton and ended up rafting up to another boat as all of the room at the dock was taken. The next morning, 6 sailboats, 5 mono hulls and 1 catamaran, lined up like ducks and cruised to the South Mills Lock.
Then it was a short trip to Elizabeth City and the FREE Mariner's Wharf. After finding a replacement tire tube for Pollie's bicycle (blowout in Hampton) we rode around and looked at all of the grand old houses. We also bought some vegetables at their farmers market, and had dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Although we could stay another night for free, we are going to press on and cross the Albemarle Sound. All of the guidebooks warn against crossing with winds more than 15 knots. Tomorrows forecast is for 5 to 10 knots, while Monday and Tuesday is calling for 15 to 20 knots. Not sure where we will end up tomorrow night, but we may anchor at Catfish Point. A 6 foot bar at the entrance discourages most other sailboats.
Hey, guys. Great to get your posting and know that you are off through the swamps and down the coast. Just returned from Vermont where there was snow on the ground one morning! Halloween decorations going up but not much else to report since I have been gone for almost two weeks. Judy
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