Elizabeth City - Dismal Swamp

Dismal Swamp NC

We managed to put almost 200 miles behind us in the past few days. The weather has been very good for some of the larger crossing so we just “went for it”

This is where they build  and store blimps.



Hawkeye doing touch and go's

US Coast guard Herc

We stopped in Elizabeth City NC. They have free dock for boaters and if there are more than 5 boats visiting they will have cocktails and snacks for the boaters.

Welcome with flowers

 The “Rose Buddies” , a tradition that started  when two long-time residents of Elizabeth City, Fred Fearing and Joe Kramer, decided one Sunday after church in 1983, shortly after completion of the docks, to have an impromptu wine and cheese party for the visiting boaters. Joe, who raised roses as a hobby, stopped by his house and clipped 17 buds for the visiting "First Mates" while Fred rounded up wine, cheese, chips, dip, and cups. Meeting at the dock, Fred and Joe hosted the first party for those 17 boats and crew. Since that time the tradition has grown strictly by word of mouth along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Dinner with friends. I wanted sushi but was  had to settle for steak.

Here we met up with MV Spiritus who we haven’t seen since Tarpon Springs FL!! We also met some new friends on SV Northern Spirit (Canadians of course) and MV Tango joined us for dinner. It was good to laugh again and share good times with friends.

Dismal Swamp

There used to be three locks , this one is not used anymore

Tied to the dock at the Dismal Swamp Visitor' center

Snake in the grass......

Check out the walking stick he made for himself.

We wanted to go all the way to Norfolk Virginia after Elizabeth City but once we arrived at the Dismal Swamp’s visitor's center we decided to relax a little and stay for the afternoon.We explored the area and saw a huge snake.

We look forward to moving on to Virginia and the Chesapeake but we have to wait for a good weather window as that is some big waters to cross….

To be continued