| Getting Ready | The Chesapeake Bay | The Great Dismal Swamp | North Carolina | South Carolina | Georgia | Florida |
| Roni Tails | Sea Tales and Other Stories | Pictures of Doublewide | Mayaca Railroad Bridge |
 | 1 Camden 2 Elizabeth City 3 Alligator River 4 Bellhaven 5 Adams Creek Canal 6 Swansboro 7 Snead's Ferry 8 Wilmington 9 Southport |
From Virginia to North Carolina thru the Great Dismal SwampSome people think of swamps as ugly, nasty places, but in fact most are beautiful. My Dad hated them as 'useless land'. But he grew up farming and solid arible land was his greatest love. Still, swamps are full of the things that life needs to sustain itself, such as water and nutrients from plants and animals. However, the early settlers named it and it was a nasty place to live without all of our modern protections, poisonous snakes, yellow head flies, mosquitoes. No 'off', no air-conditioning, no big fiberglass catamarans. Well, back to the 21st Century. After the 2nd lock on The Great Dismal Swamp route, the transition was to cypress swamp. Gone were the sweet gums of the highlands (11' higher that is). Replaced by all manner of undergrowth but mainly bald cypress. They have been cut over at least once, they're not large trees, but they have been there a while. I hope that this will continue and The Great Dismal Swamp will remain wilderness so others can see what things were like in George Washington's day. (GW was instrumental in getting the canal built.) The Pasquatank River is beautiful and placid. However the water is 'reddish brown'. I am used to clear or greenish lake/ocean water so this made me a little uneasy. But it is the influence of the tanin in the trees. Regardless it is used recreationally by all manner of boaters, fishermen, water skiiers. A skiier went by and showered doublewide with a big red roostertail! He thought it great fun to hear me scream in shock, but in fact it felt good to get wet! The day was breathless and hot, I was nearly at the end of my voyage down The Great Dismal Swamp and needed a little fun! The spraying was done as a friendly gesture! I took safe harbor at Lamb's Marina in Camden where I laid over for a couple of days and then decided to take Roni home. Doublewide is safe and sound and I will pick her up and continue on my journey without my Chief Pretty Officer.... |
| Getting Ready | The Chesapeake Bay | The Great Dismal Swamp | North Carolina | South Carolina | Georgia | Florida |
| Roni Tails | Sea Tales and Other Stories | Pictures of Doublewide | Mayaca Railroad Bridge |