After spending the night rafted up on the Dismal Swamp's Visitor's Center dock, everyone broke raft and headed out early, eager to cover the last 3 miles of the canal and catch the first opening of the South Mills Lock at 8:30. The last part is some of the narrowest parts of the canal. You have to simultaneously keep track of staying in the center to avoid logs and roots, and keep an eye on the overhanging branches that force you out of the center!
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| S/V Take Five Squeezing Through |
We made it to the lock on time, and locked through without incident. Well, mostly. Our locking technique still needs some work. We've got to decrease our line-handling time so as to have the stern line free and ready the moment the lockmaster presents his boathook for the line. Even a second or two of fumbling lets the stern swing too far out.
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| South Mills Lock, Ready for Boats |
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| Get Ready for an Eight Foot Drop! |
Once through the lock, the canal gradually widens into a winding river, the Pasquotank, and takes you to Elizabeth City. We took a slip at the free docks and were helped with our docklines by a couple of friendly natives.
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| Dolce Vita Tied Up at Elizabeth City |
To our surprise, one of the people who helped us identified himself as a "Rose Buddy"! This tradition of greeting transient boaters had almost died out when its founder died, and we had not been greeted two years ago wnen we were here. He also informed us that there would be a small wine and cheese party on the deck at 4:30 for all the boaters willing to brave the cold!
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| Wine and Cheese Party |
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| Note the Hat: Rose Buddies! |
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| Swapping Sea Stories |
Wine, cheese, good company.
Life is good.
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