Dismal Swamp Canal

Left Elizabeth City this morning on the Pasquotank River. Went through the old Albermarle and Chesapeake Railroad Bridge, that must have recently been removed, that had a pretty dilapidated building next to it. Turned into Turners Cut leading into the South Mills Lock on the south end of the Dismal Swamp Canal. Bill and Mike stopped to take their Kaboats and explore a side channel while I kept going, picking my speed up a bit to make the 11am lockage. I’d lock through, then make my way to the Dismal Swamp Visitor Center and see if I could get a space on the dock there, then Bill and Mike would join (raft) after the 1:30p lockage. They apparently were able to take Mystery Girl and Little Joe all the way down that channel, so never got their Kaboats down. When I got to the visitor center, there were already 3 large boats on the 150’ dock, with one already rafted. I rafted on another big boat and informed Bill and Mike that they could raft on me when they got here. Rather than join the crowd of boats, they decided to continue to the Lake Drummond Feeder Ditch, find somewhere to dock or anchor their boats, and then explore the ditch with their Kaboats. Once they got there, they called to let me know there was a small dock there, but since I was already rafted and in a good place for the night, I decided to stay put. Tomorrow they’ll get going early and go through the first lockage at the Deep Creek lock on the north end of the Dismal Swamp at 8am, and then do some more exploring with their Kaboats right on the other side of the lock. I’ll go through the 11:00am lockage, and meet them before we continue on. The Dismal Swamp State Park and Visitor Center is right next to a Highway Rest stop. The state park visitor’s center has some interpretive displays, while the rest stop visitor center is more of a gift shop. Prior to supper, I enjoyed social hour with the other boaters docked here for the night.Read more