heading out again thru the Dismal Swamp ….
in May 1763, George Washington made his first visit to the Swamp and suggested draining it and digging a north-south canal to connect the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound. …40,000 acres of Swamp land was purchased for $20,000 ….
Cononel Byrd lead a band of surveyors into the Swamp in 1728 to run a dividing line between the disputing colonies of Virginia and North Carolina. They were almost devoured by yellow flies, chiggers and ticks. Byrd's description was that it was a "Horrible Desert" and he called it "Dismal"
one of the many 65 ft bridges we passed under …
the water in the swamp is amber-coloured and unusually pure, preserved by the tannic acids from the bark of the juniper, gum and cypress trees. These conditions make it difficult for bacteria to grow. Before the days of refrigeration, water from the Swamp was a highly prized commodity on sailing ships. Considered chemically pure, it was stored in kegs and maintained its potability.
we arrived at South Mills Bridge 15 minutes before the opening … the operator knows how many of us are arriving, because we all leave the Visitors Centre at the same time
once again the bridge operator lifted the bridge and let us all thru, then lowered the bridge for the cars, and raced off in his truck to the lock to get us all situated for the 8 ft drop
Funny Duck was rafted with us this time
ICW is 1217 miles long
off we all go again
now we are in the Pasquotank River, it is long and winding, and getting wider as we head south
another railway bridge that is always open, Snowbird passing thru
even though the river is getting wider and wider, you still have to stay in the canal, because the depth on either side is 3 - 4 ft
the bridge to Elizabeth City opens on demand, so a few us us slower sailboats passed thru together
Modaki tied up to pipes again, last time was in Mystic, CT, this time there was not a river currant, thank goodness ….. the docks here are free for 48 hours, we paid $5/each for showers, no hydro
a very unusual sight, a one year old monkey
those eyes were too much for me to handle, he was very shy to cameras too
we took a walk around town, there was lots of brick walk ways, this whole road was all named bricks
Elizabeth City is known for the "Rose Buddies", about 25 years ago a man, (sorry can't remember his name), gave roses, from his garden, to every boat that arrived at the dock … he has since passed away and his legend continues with the "Rose Buddies" … we also understand that his roses have been transplanted on to city property, and these roses are from his original plants
since more than 5 new boats arrived this day, we were given a free party, of wine/beer/ cheese …
and given lots of local history, and hints of how to shave off 5 miles of crossing the Albemarle Sound
and of course the roses … Janine (Snowbird)
we were also told of a good seafood store only about 3 blocks away … the prices were very reasonable, we treated our selves to scallops, shrimp, crab cakes … all delicious
we also walked twice to the gas station about 5 blocks away for 2 - 5 gal jugs of diesel, to top us up again
the Museum of the Albemarle, was closed on Mondays, but next time we will take a free tour
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