CODA BAHAMAS BOUND 2024-2025 (26)

 CODA : We have arrived in North Carolina

20 October 2024

Dismal Swamp Canal Visitor Center, South Mills, North Carolina

Welcome to the Norfolk Naval Base

Marc-  We let Hampton at 09:00 this morning and stopped to refill the fuel tank and water tank.  About 45 minutes later we were amidst the world's largest naval base.  It is not only a base but the massive repair shipyard here that means you see more gray ships here than anywhere else.  The Navy Police boats keep everything secure by patrolling 24 hours a day with armed vessels.  We saw a total of 5 aircraft carriers in port.  Two were being repaired at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard including the George H W Bush. This is also a massive Commercial seaport and we once again dealt with a passing container ship. We only had to wait for a few minutes for a highway bridge to open for us out of a total of five opening bridges.  

We came to a fork in the road , so to speak, just after the Highway bridge train bridge combo South of Norfolk.  These are incredibly busy waters even on a Sunday morning. The fork gave us the choice of the Virginia Cut shore route or taking the Dismal Swamp Canal.  We chose the Dismal Swamp canal based on our past trip South.  We arrived at the Deep Creek Lock at the northern end of the canal at 12:00.  Unfortunately the Lockmaster indicated that the lock would not be opening for another 1 and 1/2 hours (that is some lunch hour).  Not a problem we simply another and enjoyed our leisurely lunch as well.  The goal of the day was to reach the Welcome center in North Carolina and we did arriving at 17:45.

Norfolk is not just warships there were two sailing ships in town as well.

The fork in the road.  We took the route less travelled. 

Sign at the Deep Creek Lock.

The Dismal Swamp route is very straight making navigation easy.  Our only issue was bumping fifteen sunken logs along the way.  No harm done by the logs but it does startle the captain.  Some of those nice tall trees do infringe on the canal in spots and Michael saved the day by warning me that we would be trimming some branches.

Visitor Center free docks.  There were only three sailboats here.  Our fellow boaters were quick to help us tie up and settle us in.  There is always a discussion of where each of us is going.

Beautiful visitors center rose bushes were all about the place.