The Great Dismal Swamp

October 30/09

After reading the cruising guides, we noticed that we will be hitting places like Cape Fear, Mosquito Creek, Alligator River, and Skidaway Creek. With names like that it makes me wonder why anyone would want to enter the I.C.W. However, it was obvious today that we should not to let the names fool us as the Great Dismal Swamp, from what I could see, is anything but dismal.

We entered the Deep Creek Lock at 0830 this morning, (the entrance to the Dismal Swamp), and were greeted by the friendliest lock master who took the time to chat to everyone on each boat and make sure we were all tucked in safe. Even as we were coming up in the lock, he tried to play a tune for the nine boats by blowing into a conch shell. What a cool guy! Now there is someone who loves his job.

It would have been a scenic trip regardless but it's even nicer this time of year with the Autumn colours in the trees. The decision was made yesterday that we would go as far as the Dismal Swamp Visitor’s Centre today, which is about half way through the swamp. We were told it was a stop not to miss as there are walking trails and a wildlife centre. The stop had a dock that could hold three boats but we were told that rafting was expected. By the end of the day there were at least twelve boats rafted together and we had a great time meeting everyone and hear their stories.

On board three of the boats were cruising families and one even had a new ten-week-old baby on board. (Yes Brent, we met up with Adrian and Sarah!) At cocktail hour we all met on shore and a good time was had by all.