Visitors Center, Dismal Swamp to Elizabeth City

Wednesday morning we woke to cool temps, heavy dew on the decks and everyone in a flurry of activity to get loose and get gone. Sandy was already making news and everyone jittery about finding a place to hunker down in. We decided with our traveling companions on Skye to head for Elizabeth City then Alligator Marina. The southern end of the Canal is a little narrower than the first half and I am pleased to say deeper. Fall is definitely on the wan here, more bare trees and sad to say there are lots of dying pine trees. We bundled up, hot coffee or chocolate ( Tom says my coffee is too strong) at hand we stated off.  The sun rose bright burning off the mist and we arrived at Mile 32 South Mills lock. The interesting thing about this canal going south - there is a bridge which won't close until all the boats for the lock are through, then the lock.  We all approached the second bridge - 12 boats- narrow channel then slid and jockeyed waiting for the bridge to close and enter the lock. We were against a wall, and somehow ended up the last ones out of the lock. The first several miles are straight, called Turner's cut, then we entered the winding Pasquotank River to Elizabeth City. All in all a nice peaceful ride.

leaving South Mill Creek lock

Pasquotank River