Mike and Patty's Great Loop Adventure 2018-2019

Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center in South Mills, North Carolina to Tidewater Marina Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, Virginia

Day #331: Mike and I were up at 4:45 A.M. to prepare for departure as we wanted to make the 8:30 A.M. bridge opening and lockage. Engines were started at 5:20 A.M. At 5:25 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was underway with "Akita" a couple with their three children from Germany that were at the free wall at the visitor center last evening. Mike spotted a deer near the water as "Parrot Bay" transited the canal. At 6:00 A.M. Mike, Patty and "Parrot Bay" crossed from South Carolina to Virginia. At 6:04 A.M. "Parrot Bay" hit it's first object, clunk! Submerged log of some sort that bounced off the hull but made a noise. At 6:50 A.M. "Parrot Bay" hit it's second object. At 7:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" hit it's third object. There were no issues noted from the "clunking". At 8:05 A.M. Mike hailed the Deep Creek bridgetender for the bridge opening. There was another sailboat "Lady Slipper" who was already waiting at the bridge, "Parrot Bay" and "Akita" needing to transit the bridge and lock. The bridgetender was very friendly opening the bridge at 8:30 A.M. then hopping in his car meeting and assisting the three boats into the lock. "Parrot Bay" was secure in the lock at 8:50 A.M. The lockmaster shared information about the history of the Dismal Swamp. He also played a tune on a conch shell. The lockmaster is Robert Peek and he has a reputation amongst the cruising community for being one of the nicest, warmest and knowledgeable people. "Parrot Bay" was clear of the lock at 9:10 A.M. (lock #32 for the trip). At 9:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" entered the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River. What a difference from the Dismal Swamp canal to the Naval Shipyards. Mike and I were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't busy on the water making our trip through Norfolk enjoyable. Mike and I saw the "George H. W. Bush" CVN-77 in drydock (Mark, our son served two deployments) at 10:00 A.M. At 10:40 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was secure in a slip at Tidewater Yacht Harbor in Portsmouth, Virginia after traveling 30 miles today (3,738.5 miles total for the trip). After checking in Mike and I had lunch onboard the boat. I e-mailed Dozier's Yachting Center in Deltaville, Virginia for reservations starting on Sunday. It was 96 degrees and sunny so the two of us headed to the marina pool. We spent the day enjoying the pool before heading back to the boat. I received a confirmation for our reservations for Sunday in Deltaville for three nights. Mike and I got ready for an early dinner heading to Fish & Slips Marina Raw Bar & Grill which is the restaurant at the marina. Mike had steamed shrimp and I had Ahi tuna both dinners were great. There is always something going on in Norfolk whether it is boats in the water or military/coast guard helicopters in the air. It is very cool to see. The two of us headed back to the boat as it was time to blog and read.

Early morning on the Dismal Swamp.

On the Dismal Swamp a welcome sign to Virginia.

"Akita" came late afternoon to the visitor center and they decided to leave with "Parrot Bay" to get to the bridge and lock.

Deep Creek Bridge with "Lady Slipper" tied to the wall waiting for the opening.

"Lady slipper" heading through the Deep Creek bridge heading to the lock.

"Lady Slipper" tied up in the Deep Creek Lock.

Deep Creek Lock

Dismal Swamp Canal (1805) plaque at the Deep Creek Lock.

Robert Peek one of the nicest lockmasters that we have met on the trip so far.

"Parrot Bay" heading out of the Deep Creek Lock.

We are no longer in the Dismal Swamp, very busy.

Two bridges the Gilmerton Railroad Bridge and Gilmerton Highway Bridge. These boats had been waiting a very long time for the railroad bridge to open. "Parrot Bay" waited 15 minutes, then the train passed and both bridges raised letting all boat traffic pass.