Greek's Folly on the Great Loop: June 24-27, 2016 Alligator River Marina/ Dismal Swamp/ Norfolk, Va.

June 24, Alligator River Marina to Elizabeth city.

Up by 730 in preparation for departure which, of course, includes a breakfast sandwich from the convenient store. The winds have died, seas are calm, and the Dismal Swamp awaits. Little did we know, that passing through Albemarle sound consisted mostly of dodging crab pots. Every crab boat on the sound was checking their pots today because of the high winds and bad weather the last two days. Tom's driving consisted of zigzags and avoiding the multi colored floats. We pulled into Elizabeth city around 1238, sterning in to the free docks at the public marina. The marina finger piers are as long as your thumbnail so sterning in is necessarily if we want to get off the boat. Getting off on the swim platform makes it easy step to the dock. We went and visited the Albemarle Museum, very impressive building for a small town. The history of the town and sound are well documented and very interesting. We then stroll through the town, which didn't take us very long, but did find a bakery for cherry turnovers. Elizabeth City like many small towns has struggled to keep it's downtown viable. Back at the docks there are now six boats moored, many Loopers, so docktails will commence at 5:30. We enjoyed visiting with the other boaters-Drifter(Mike and Vicki),

InSpeyered 2 (Al and Jane), No Hurry (Dale and Carol, Spooky the cat) and Tropical Diversion (Wes and Karen). It is fun and enlightening to share experiences with other boaters; we have immediate commonalities. It was movie night in the park so we enjoyed the Firemans free popcorn, free water sprinkler, but not the movie Smurfs. Leftovers for dinner were delicious and the bed , tonight, was extremely comfortable.

A crabber working the sound. It is there living but
dodging crab pot floats all day is tiring.

A building where they build blimps in Elizabeth City. Every
blimp except for Goodyear's

The welcome sign when you pull into the free city docks.

This is one of the things Elizabeth City is famous
for. The Rose Buddies.

The rose bushes the Rose buddies use.

The Museum of the Albemarle

Docktails with fellow Loopers on the docks.

The fire dept. turned out to keep the kids cool on a hot summer
evening before the movie

June 25, Elizabeth city to Dismal Swamp visitor center.

There is a farmers market in the park this morning at nine so we decided to leave at 10. The market had fresh produce vendors and crafters. We made our purchases and departed at 1000 with Drifter and InSpeyered. On this river into the dismal Swamp the shorelines are completely green with trees and vegetation. The water is deep in the center and you see an occasional wooden dock, sometimes usable and sometimes dilapidated. So far on this interesting nature trip we have seen,squirrels, turtles, one Eagle, a pair of osprey and a snake who is swimming in the water. The Dismal swamp is so named because the Europeans used the word "dismal" which meant "swamp ". This Dismal swamp is not "dismal"; it is an adventure. We went through the South Mill lock. It was the first lock in a few months. The lift was over 8 feet and the fenders ended up higher than the lock wall. Upon exiting, the lockmaster drives to the South Mill Bridge and then opens the bridge for the boats who previously just went through the lock. After the bridge the dismal Swamp narrows considerably. The ride through the swamp is slow-5 mph-and the scenery is picturesque, but definitely the same for 25 miles. Arrived at visitor center. Pleasantly surprised at the dock and accommodations. The two women at the Welcome Center, Geneve and her assistant were a delight to talk with and shared park information with us. Tom assisted them with the credit card machine and cash register tape-just like old times. They offered us a free bag of ice cubes. (Ice is always appreciated cruising, especially when free.). Took a short walk on the boardwalk and through the park, enjoy docktails on

InSpeyered 2, and slept well.

The bridge to get thru exiting Elizabeth City

Very rustic and eerie in the Dismal Swamp

You might be a redneck if this is your deer stand. This was way up on
the tree. How they got it there I haven't a clue.

Entering the first lock.

Narrow channel and very shallow. We bumped 3 times and have no
idea what it was.

Drifters and InSpeyered 2 leaving the first lock in the Dismal Swamp

Sunday, June 26- Dismal Swamp to Portsmouth, VA

Pushed away from dock at 0700, morning was sunny but cool. Today we are traveling in canyon with tall green trees on both sides. We see pretty butterflies as they are attracted to certain flowers on the Ivy. The birds sing sweetly and we enjoy their tune. Passed a few kayakers, and had a few thumps in the day. We entered the Deep Creek lock after a 45 minute wait and were relieved to be tied up. The boat Drifter, traveling with us only had one engine, got sideways in the lock, and tied off facing the opposite direction. The lockmaster, Robert Peek, is a legendary character and lives to talk, share and entertain the boaters coming thru. He demonstrated his ability to blow a tune a conch shell and accepted a small shell from us to add to his collection. We exited the lock with InSpeyered as Drifter remained tied to the lock and awaited the arrival of Tow Boat US. Greeks Folly continues on its way, quickly reconnected with the ICW and headed in Norfolk VA. The waterway into Norfolk is interesting viewing and somewhat challenging due to the many bridges, increased boat traffic, and the huge naval ships. We rounded a corner only to be see an aircraft carrier in port with many other battleships. An awesome sight!!! We docked at Tidewater Marina and once again caught up with Short Vacation. The four of us headed into Portsmouth for a look around. Like other stops, most stores were closed on Sunday. After a late lunch, headed back to the boats.

This sign is posted in the South Mills Lock

All our traveling buddy boats at the Visitor Center. No power but nice bathrooms.

Walking back from the little museum across the pedestrian
swing bridge. Boats do have the right of way.

A mother deer and her baby. the baby is to the right of the mom.
It was soo tiny. It had to be a new born.

A another day, same view. very narrow with lots of vegetation

A sign you pass on your way thru the swamp

Drifters getting sideways in the lock. Supposed to be bow first. In Mike's defense
he only had one engine.

World famous lockmaster Mr. Robert Peeks.

Monday, June 27 Norfolk Virginia.

We are heading to Norfolk today via a ferry across the river. Is we are walking to the ferry we stop to watch a naval ship being escorted in to harbor. We watch in amazement and awe of the captains ability to maneuver the ships in the narrow channel. We take a quick ferry ride to Norfolk, walk the riverfront, and head to the Hampton Roads Naval Museum and the USS Wisconsin battleship moored there. These museums are always a lesson in history and a salute to soldiers and naval air man. We walk through Norfolk looking at shops and finding a great little café for lunch across from the library. The sidewalk art work this year in Norfolk is mermaids, much like the cows in Chicago, kind of. Back at the marina we jump in the pool to cool off and relax. This was one her that we enjoyed at this marina.