boomerang
Guru
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2016
- Messages
- 1,399
- Location
- united states
- Vessel Name
- Wandering Star
- Vessel Make
- PSN40
So, after using the VA cut to make the trip south and back north for almost 40 years, I’ve wanted to take the Dismal Swamp route to see what it was all about. Well, we finally have a boat that is setup for cruising and this was one of the first things we wanted to do.
I’ve heard and read positive and negative things about it, anywhere from “we take the Dismal Swamp route every time” to “ Never again”.
I’m pretty sure we fall into the latter category.
Headed South, the lock tender Harry at Deep Creek was very friendly and had lots of information and trivia. We locked through on Sunday morning at the first opening ,8:30,and had an enjoyable and trouble free experience most of the way. We seemed to be the only boat on the canal which was ok with us.
After crossing the state line, we started noticing some duckweed. Farther south at the NC welcome center there had obviously been a recent storm since there was debris in the canal and some small vegetation stuff recently toppled into the canal. The duckweed was thick but no worries. We got to the lock where Frank the tender informed us to watch out for trees in the waterway. Well Frank, how correct you were!
We were off to a fun start!
“Wow , look at the duckweed , honey!”
“Woah, look at those trees in the channel!”
“Wow that one was close”
“Damn , what in the hell am I supposed to do here???”
“That wasn’t worth a ****...we drug branches on both sides of the boat! I hope we can get the hell out of this canal!”
“F this! Ok Liz. We’ve seen the Dismal Swamp now. Never again!”
I’ve heard and read positive and negative things about it, anywhere from “we take the Dismal Swamp route every time” to “ Never again”.
I’m pretty sure we fall into the latter category.
Headed South, the lock tender Harry at Deep Creek was very friendly and had lots of information and trivia. We locked through on Sunday morning at the first opening ,8:30,and had an enjoyable and trouble free experience most of the way. We seemed to be the only boat on the canal which was ok with us.
After crossing the state line, we started noticing some duckweed. Farther south at the NC welcome center there had obviously been a recent storm since there was debris in the canal and some small vegetation stuff recently toppled into the canal. The duckweed was thick but no worries. We got to the lock where Frank the tender informed us to watch out for trees in the waterway. Well Frank, how correct you were!
We were off to a fun start!
“Wow , look at the duckweed , honey!”
“Woah, look at those trees in the channel!”
“Wow that one was close”
“Damn , what in the hell am I supposed to do here???”
“That wasn’t worth a ****...we drug branches on both sides of the boat! I hope we can get the hell out of this canal!”
“F this! Ok Liz. We’ve seen the Dismal Swamp now. Never again!”