The Great Dismal Swamp

There is a small army corps of engineers sign at mile marker 7.2, immediately south of Norfok, VA. At this point you can fork east to the Virginia Cut to go south or fork west to the Great Dismal Swamp Canal which is the original ICW route.  It was originally developed by George Washington and some of his pals and opened in 1805.  Built by slaves.  About 25 statute miles long.

                                          
                                                  Northern Lock of Dismal Swamp Canal

                                      

                                               After an 8 foot lift, lock is ready to open.


You have to stay in the middle of the canal and watch for logs.  We bumped into a logs a couple of times, but we kept a slow speed.

  
                                                  Really not all that dismal.  Primordial.

                                            
                                  What can I say about this? Please submit your favorite caption.

The visitors center is quite unique as it serves as a rest area/welcome center for boats transiting the canal as well as for people driving into NC from VA.  In the middle of the night, a trucker stopped by and commented to his buddy, "Dang, boy, how the hell could you figure out all them ropes?"  Answer: most of the time we can't.

                                                        Dismal Swamp Vistors Center

The center was a very pleasant stop with spotless restrooms, but I must say, it is a little weird sleeping in a rest area in a bateau.