The Pelican Marina in Elizabeth City, North Carolina to Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center in South Mills, North Carolina
Day #330: From last evening I beat Mike at cribbage. The two of us were up at 5:30 A.M. to prepare for departure. Temperatures in the low 70's, clear with a slight breeze. Engines were on at 6:15 A.M. underway at 6:20 A.M. As "Parrot Bay" got underway we saw the gold looper boat "Journey" but they were traveling the opposite direction. At 6:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was clear of the Elizabeth City Draw Bridge traveling 5.6 miles per hour so that we will arrive at South Mills Lock for the 11:00 A.M. opening of the lock which is 13 miles away. At 9:05 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was out of the Pasquotank River into Turner's Cut which is a straight narrow canal. At 9:10 A.M. clunk under the boat from an underwater obstacle with no issues. At 10:00 A.M. in Mike and my fashion we arrived at the South Mills Lock one hour early so we did a 180 to kill time. At 10:20 A.M. "Parrot Bay" did another 180 to return to the lock. At 10:50 A.M. "Parrot Bay" returned to the lock after traveling an extra 2.6 miles extra today. At 11:00 A.M. lock opened "Parrot Bay" prepared for a port side tie with our own lines that the lockmaster assisted with getting around the bollard. At 11:25 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was clear on the South Mills Lock (31st lock since the beginning of the trip) after being raised 8 feet. As "Parrot Bay" left the lock the lockmaster got into his vehicle heading to the South Mills Bascule Bridge to raise the bridge for "Parrot Bay". At 11:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was clear of the Bascule Bridge. Beautiful ride in the Dismal Canal for the two of us as we were very happy that we had decided to take this route on our great loop adventure. The Dismal Swamp State Park has a foot bridge across the canal that the park ranger opened as "Parrot Bay" approached. Just passed the floating foot bridge is the wall dock at the visitor center. At 12:25 P.M. "Parrot Bay" was secure at the free wall at the visitor center after traveling 26.8 miles (3,689.8 total miles for the trip). Mike and I went to check in at the visitor center which is also a rest area with the Dismal Swamp State Park next door. The lady in the visitor center was very welcoming obtaining lots of information while Mike and I enjoyed the air conditioning. I bought a t-shirt (now there is a surprise). After lunch the two of us headed to the Dismal Swamp State Park where we walked through a small museum before walking on the boardwalk where we saw a deer in the woods. The two of us headed back to the boat for happy hour which was steamy as it was 97 degrees outside it was HOT HOT HOT!!! I had lots of cold water which was great. Mike and I stayed up on the flying bridge as long as we could having dinner up there as well. The breeze on the flying bridge was much better than the inside of the main cabin. At 7:45 A.M. Mike filled the camp shower with water from the rest area restrooms. He hoisted the camp shower with the boom taking a cold shower out on the swim platform. He was so refreshed he talked me into going out as well. I was glad that I did, it was very cool and enjoyable. After showers it was time for blogging and getting ready for tomorrows departure. Great news late is that the Oswego Canal has officially opened which means that getting to the Trent-Severn Waterway is reachable so Mike and I will get to do this on their loop. Mike found an electrical outlet on one of the light poles on the dock he ran an extension cord from the electrical outlet to the boat. We were able to run the fans during the night which made sleeping bearable.
