After crossing the Albemarle sound we entered the Pasquotank River and went into the downtown area of Elizabeth City. The original plan was to dock there for a day or two before entering the Dismal Swamp area. The weather forecast was for rain and storms in the next 48 hours so we elected to push on and start the journey through the Dismal Swamp area with good weather.
Below: Blimp hangar(left)
right: Elizabeth City docks
The Dismal Swamp was a vast wetland that at one time covered 1.28 million acres. Native Americans used it for hunting and fishing grounds. Early settlers tried to drain the swamp to create forest and farm ground. The surveyor at the time was George Washington. Before he entered politics and military he was a surveyor and land developer. George Washington’s company owned 40,000 acres of the swamp and the company had slaves dig a canal to drain the swamp and provide a route for timbering.
The swamp was also used as part to the Underground Railroad during the time of the civil war.
Now the area is a state park. It is home to 350 black bears, butterflies, bobcats, deers and many species.
We saw a VERY large snake crossing the water, but no bears!
The 21 mile canal has 2 locks and 2 bridges to open. We docked at the visitors center overnight. The visitors center had a gift shop and bathrooms. The State Park was adjacent to the visitors center and had 6 miles of paved bike trails. We did the trails the evening when we arrived and again in the morning. The park also had an elevated boardwalk trail that took you back into the swamp. The water in the swamp is reflective like a mirror, the tannins stain the water and also add a noticeable mustache to the boats that take this route! No Agenda will need a little scrubbing!
Our buddy boat, Indigo Seas, rafted to us while we waited for the lock to open.
As we left the dismal swamp and entered the Norfolk/Portsmouth ports we were in the largest Naval Base on the planet!