The Dismal Swamp!

Another must do on the Loop is the Dismal Swamp!  What is it I had asked?  We woke up to pea soup fog so had to wait at the dock for an extra hour until it started to lift.  As it was this was our view when pulling out of the slip!  Yes.....DISMAL!!!  Oh me oh my..... what was in store for us today!  We called the bridge at Elizabeth City and three of us headed out behind a couple sail boats that had left an hour earlier.  They had been in touch with us to tell us it was finally starting to break up!  So into the fog we went! 

Before I continue I have to tell you this was probably one of my top five cruising days of the trip!!   So hear we go...............to the Dismal Swamp!

The water in the Dismal Swamp looks like tea!  Sometimes it looks  as dark as coffee!  It is the tannins!  Run off from the trees and ground causing the brown water!  Very clear but very brown!  The cruise was far from dismal.  It was some of the most beautiful cruising we have had and it smelled like northern MN.....pine and cedar!  There’s no place like home!

Mile after mile of beautiful scenery!  Calm, clear water that looked like a mirror.  There are two locks, one of which we entered today.  There were 10 boats locking up!  Several of us had to raft to other boats in the lock!  The lift was only 8 feet!  Here we are in the lock!

We planned to dock at the free Visitor’s Center dock but there was only room for the 20BUCK$ when we arrived!  Marc’s Ark had to raft to us! 

After we were all secure at the dock we went to the visitor’s center to find out how to get to Lake Drummond!  Up the canal about 7 miles, turn at the Feeder Canal and head about 3 more miles to the small railroad lift that would take us up and over to the lake.  Another Looper “have to do”!  What a HOOT!!!!!

We lowered the dinghies and off we went.  Marc and Michele took the lead and we headed to the Feeder Canal.

What a beautiful ride through more gorgeous canals!  We entered VA too as we are close to the state line!  We turned onto the Feeder Canal and in a few miles we arrived at the railroad that would carry our dinghies up and over to Lake Drummond.

Seriously, this railroad track with a lift was going to transport the dinghy!  Here we go!!!!!!

After a short 7 minute ride (Ken and Michele had a bet as to how long it took) we were on the other side and in the channel that would take us to Lake Drummond.

Lake Drummond feeds the Dismal Swamp!  It is HUGE but shallow so we didn’t spend a lot of time cruising on it but it was beautiful!  The pictures below are of the lake!

It was soon time to head back and lift the dinghies back over the railroad lift to the channel that would take us back to 20BUCK$!

Another shot of our ride through the Feeder Channel! 

Now you can see why this was one of my top 5 cruising days!  We will stay at the Visitor Center dock tonight and maybe tomorrow!  It is supposed to rain hard tomorrow and if it does we will stay put!   The Dismal Swamp was anything but dismal!  It was FABULOUS!

The conchs have been blown, our belly is full and it is time to say good night from the swamp! 

I hope you enjoyed the ride with us through the swamp!   Good Night!  Pat