PORTSMOUTH, VA

Wow! What a day of contrast! From the relative tranquility of the humming activity of the Norfolk area. The draw bridge in Elizabeth City opened for us at 0730 hrs and we entered the Pasquotank River. We snaked along the river for about ten miles before entering Turners Cut which by contrast was straight and narrow.  That took us to the South Mills Lock which lifted us eight feet to the historic Great Dismal Swamp Canal.  The canal was completed in 1805. George Washington was one of the original surveyors. A little know fact is that George also owned most of the land the GDS passed through. This portion of the canal was again straight and narrow for about twenty two miles with a slight bend a little past the halfway mark.  Sue and I made the trip through the GDS about twenty six years ago when we helped move a sailboat from Beaufort, NC to Stamford, CT.  It hasn't change much from what we could remember about that trip.  It was interesting and we even saw a black bear sitting on an embankment.  The GDS supposidly has the largest Black Bear population in the United States.  We were able to make the 1530 hrs opening of the Deep Creek Lock at the northeastern end of the GDS.  That lock lowered us eleven feet and placed us in the tidal waters of the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.  The lock tender told us that there was a one million four hundred thousand gallon transfer of water in the one locking.

There is a newer route along the ICW that runs from Albermarle Sound to Norfolk that was intended to replace the Great Dismal Swamp route but that is used by larger and faster boats and commercial traffic.  The slowpoke trawlers, etc, still prefer the scenic beauty of the old canal.

Exiting the Deep Creek was a cultural shock.  Leaving the placid scenery and mother nature behind we were dumped into a very busy industrial area. Shortly we were at a point where two ICW routes from Albermarle Sound meet and continue into the Norfolk area.  This is where the Atlantic portion of the ICW ends which means we put one thousand sixty miles under the keel since leaving Fort Lauderdale.
I made a miscalculation in timing the Gilmerton draw bridge which remains closed from 4 PM to 6:30PM for pleasure craft.  I was redeemded when a tug with a barge had the bridge opened at about 5:15 PM and we were able to pass through the opening with it saving us about an hour and a half of waiting.  The US Navy has a major presence in this area and security is tight around the repair facilities, etc.  At one point we saw six heavelly armed patrol boats in one area.  We are now tied off in a ferry slip opposite Norfolk.  As in Elizabeth City,  the is no electricity or water available but the price is right!  But we can generate our own power and we still have plenty of water aboard. Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will be begin moving up the Chesapeake Bay.

Y'all stay vertical,

Capt John and First Mate Sue