Camden NC to Chesapeake VA

 

Day 1

After a day of travel from Austin to Norfolk, an Uber ride to Camden NC (just outside of Elizabeth City), we arrived to find that Knot Kaos had wintered well and was ready to commence her summer travels.

After lugging baggage through airports and loading onto the boat, the crew was not so gung-ho. Tired and hungry, we did the necessary unpacking for night one aboard, and walked across the road to the Old Hwy 39 Grill for a bite to eat. Expectations were low, but we were pleasantly surprised, the food was fresh, tasty, and hot. Service was friendly.

After checking weather conditions for the following morning, we learned that winds were unfavorable, gusting 15 – 25 knots along our desired route to Coinjock, making travel uncomfortable. A shorter, slower route through the Great Dismal Swamp became the viable option for our first real voyage in our 34’ American Tug. We still had no provisions as we had originally planned to overnight in Coinjock and enjoy a great meal ashore. Alas, that was not to be. Luckily, Dollar General was next door to the restaurant, so we purchased sufficient provisions to feed us for the next evening.

Building of The Great Dismal Swamp commenced in 1763. It was built by George Washington and a group of several prominent Virginians and South Carolinians. It is a north-south canal, connecting Chesapeake Bay, Virginia and Albermarle Sound, North Carolina. Today, it is The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Day 2

After a solid night of sleep, coffee, and muffin, we threw off the lines and headed to South Mills Lock and the start of the Dismal Swamp. It had been 14 years since we had transited a lock, but no problems.

We saw only 2 sail boats on this remote route.Our second night aboard was spent at Douglas Road, a Corps of Engineers dock about 10 miles past the Dismal Swamp Visitor Center. The dock, amidst the pines, was remote, peaceful and in great shape, with clean bathrooms just a few steps away. A warm pasta meal, a bottle of wine was all we needed before a good night’s sleep.

Day 3

Deep Creek Lock marked the end of the Dismal Swamp. 2007 was the last time we last transited the Swamp. At that time, the jasmine was in full bloom, with the sweet fragrance filling the morning air, while the sun danced through the leaves of the trees. This trip was a little ahead of the jasmine blooms, but delightful, with the sun dancing through the trees, even with the wind howling down the channel.

Early afternoon, we arrived at Atlantic Yacht Basin in Chesapeake VA for some minor maintenance and a new coat of bottom paint, which required being out of the water for a few days. 

Murphy's law, the temperatures soared to the high 80's, and being out of the water, we could not run the air-conditioning.

Thankfully, we only encountered one hot, sticky night without A/C. The workers in the yard worked a little later and mercifully got us back in the water.

                                        Hallelujah! Air-conditioning and a good night sleep!