Doin' the Swamp and more

October 22 - 26

Ah the Dismal Swamp -- one of 2 options to get to the Albermarle Sound going south on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).  Not nearly so dismal as the name implies, the advantage is the speed limit geared to our usual pace which means no "fast" power boats making huge wakes.  

The disadvantage is the crowd ............

There was a bit of a jam due to the windy weather, so we stopped at the halfway point at the Dismal Swamp Welcome Center overnight.  Another first --- this is both a boating stop AND a highway rest area AND a State Park.  

It was also our first rafting experience --- four deep and four long on the courtesy dock.  

             Where's Waterford?????

Out of the swamp, we stopped overnight at Elizabeth City's Mariner's Wharf, where we enjoyed a visit to their museum and some yummy fish tacos.  

Friday morning it was on across the sound to the Alligator River and another first  -- note the Shell sign in the background.  You guessed it, a marina/gas station combo!  

Adequate, but would probably skip this one next time.

Out of the Alligator River, we anchored overnight in the Pungo River before moving on.  We've been scouting out these anchorages along the way and will likely be doing a lot more anchoring next summer.

Next stop, Belhaven Waterway Marina.  What a delightful cozy little place!  We enjoyed cocktails on the porch with Ann and Roger aboard Third Reef.  Owners Les and Brenda joined us with Les playing his guitar and all of us singing along.  Fun evening, capped off by another gorgeous sunset.