What a GREAT account of cruising the historic Dismal Swamp Canal by Patty, Robert and Maggi! (copied from the AGLCA list). Other fellow cruisers also add to this discussion!

ORINOCO had the privilege to float on the waters of the Dismal Swamp.  This was an experience akin to walking quietly through the woods on a nature trail.
The waters splashed in rhythm to the soft hum of the engines propelling mere mortals along in this pristine area of trees and water.  The quietness of the journey in a trawler seems in contradiction ,but quiet it was. The slow speed and gentle splash was hardly noticed by the loud and sometimes frenzied call of the birds, unaware of the travel by mariners this cool morning.  As I sit out on the bow breathing in the cool, damp air, I feel as the ancient boaters of long ago.   The trees are not the same ones, but grew from those same seeds, the dogwood in various shades of pink and white are of the same strands as the first Americans saw on the journey.
The waters at first wind slowly with houses alongside the banks but are soon replaced by the deep woods and very straight and narrow paths of waterway as we head North to a destination.  Is this not the destination in itself?  The wonder and privilege of travel on a vessel through the swamps and marshes and the hardwood forests makes the act of actually being tied to a dock or anchored just a function ,not the destination. The Dismal Swamp ended too soon with the ancient locks with the old buildings and even older lock operators who drive from the bridge to the lock with no hurry.  We are not hurried only transformed by this experience.
Patty Mitchell and Robert with Maggi wonder dog
ORINOCO

I am so happy to hear positive reports of experiences travelling through the Dismal Swamp.  We too thought it was magnificent – a truly unique portion of the whole loop. Take it slowly and savour every minute.
Clare
"Rangatira"

A beautiful trip as all have said. We passed through in a N to S direction last year but had the unsettling experience of bumping several somethings during the journey. We never saw anything but the boat actually lifted up a bit with each of the bumps and we draw no more than 4 ft. We were going dead slow the whole way and the water wasn't low, a bit unnerving, but, no damage!
David and Anne Scott

One of the very special experiences of the swamp is if you get the opportunity to meet Robert the lock master at the north end Elizabeth lock. He is a charming and special person dedicated to the canal as a piece of history.  Also he plays a mean conch!
Joe

It’s getting almost commonplaced for us to post messages here on the Net’s “North Carolina” section about good cruising experiences in Elizabeth City, NC (a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR). Those who decide to “do the Dismal,” should put a big, red circle around Elizabeth City. Those who bypass with wonderful port of call, are simply missing the best that these waters have to offer!

Subject: Elizabeth City
Cruising News: As one of the early boats heading north on the ICW. It was refreshing to find the hospitality of the Elizabeth City Mayor.
On April 1, at about 4:30 in the afternoon we arrived at the Elizabeth City Dock.
A short time later the City Mayor approached us and offered the hospitality of the city. Explaining all that was available in town from dinner theater, great places to eat, museaums, Post Office and Library as well as free wi fi at the dock.
What a great feeling being made so welcome after a long days cruise.
Cudos to Elizabeth City
John and Dottie on the DAR SEA

Click Here For More Information On the Mariner’s Wharf – Elizabeth City Docks

Sounds like a great place for those who want to rest ashore, with solid ground under their feet, for a night or two!

As I said in the introductory remarks concerning another message I posted earleir today, “you learn something new on the Cruisers’ Net everyday.”
I have met Elizabeth City’ s Mayor, Steve Atkinson, and I can tell you without any fear of spreading an inaccuracy, that he is SERIOUS about attracting the cruising community. The messages below cite but one example, and another is that Elizabeth City is now a SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR!

If you are looking for dock space in Elizabeth City and all the “in town places” are taken, for the price of signing a waiver you can dock North of the bridge on the West side next to the Jennette Bros Provision Co. building. Say hello to Eric the bridge tender.

When we passed through Elizabeth City last summer, the docking looked a little tight for us and we were going to just anchor. But, “some guy” waved us over to the area just about 50 yards south of the free city docks and helped us tie up. I was a little concerned since the bulkhead had a sign “no docking”, but since the “some guy” turned out to be the mayor, we were all smiles. How many places do you know in which the town’s mayor grabs a line for visiting boats???
Ken

Hi,
We had the same experience in early Oct when pulling in late, about 1700, at Elizabeth City. The guy ran across the park and waved us in to where the tour boat used to dock. The pilings were a little treacherous, but we managed to tie and enjoy the evening. Our two dogs enjoyed the park as well as ourselves. The mayor is Steve Atkinson and he was heading to the Annapolis sailboat show the next day, so I gave him my card so he could use the Annapolis Yacht Club. A very nice fellow and a credit to the city.
Bob and Claudia

Click Here For More Information On The Mariner’s Wharf – Elizabeth City Docks