Today was quite the journey. We departed at 8:30 am with plenty of time to spare for the 1:30 pm lock opening at the the start of the Dusmal Swamp Canal. Along the way we passed many Navy and commercial shipping facilities. Prior to the Dismal Swamp route, the Gilmerton lift bridge was opened for us. We had lunch while waiting for the lock to open. Instead of anchoring we nudged against the shore. Needlesss to say the tide was dropping so we when we backed off, it took full reverse to get us free.
The Dismal Swamp journey is very scenic and challenging with numerous trees that overhang the canal, many fallen trees that blocked most of the passageway and the occasional USO (unidentified submerged object) that we bounced over.
It was sunny, with a high in the mid 80s, a nice breeze on the nose that would have had me set sail if we'd been heading north. Very pleasant, although I can imagine during the dog gone days of summer, it would be dismal.
At the welcome center we met friendly people that were heading north, on a power boat and a trawler. We encountered no traffic on the canal route. Dinner was on board in the cockpit until the biting critters drove us down below. The air conditioning was welcome.
Anchoorage: Dismal Swamp Welcome Center
Distance today: 39 nm
Total distance: 181 nm