Sunday, 1 November
Working backward from the time the Deep Creek Lock was scheduled to open, we determined what time would be best for departing the marina in Portsmouth without creating too much “wait” time. We untied from the dock around 0815 making our way to the first bridge, Gilmerton Bridge.
We tried to take our time so we wouldn’t get through the bridge and to the lock too early and be forced to mill around with many other boats waiting for the scheduled lock opening.
But, because so many boats were behind us at the bridge, the bridge tender waited until more boats arrived to the bridge which meant….. we were milling around the bridge with a few boats trying not to hit each other waiting for the bridge to open. (oh well, the best laid plans…..) But all went well with our first bridge opening and on we went.
A few miles down the Waterway we had the option of choosing Route 1 which carries a bit more commercial traffic or Route 2 through the Dismal Swamp which would be more scenic and quiet. We chose Route 2 and made our way down the canal, leaving all evidence of industrial activity behind and enjoying the quiet serenity of the canal.
We were greeted by an American Bald Eagle sitting in a tree as we passed by. Neither of us had seen a Bald Eagle for quite a long time, and enjoyed witnessing its splendor.
We approached the Deep Water Lock, again sooner than expected, and again milled around with the other boats. We prepared our fenders and fender board for the wall, and waited.
The lock master opened the lock and all the boats proceeded in an orderly fashion. As this lock is the low one, we had to hand our bow and stern lines up to the lock master high above us. He secured them on bollards and we were instructed to hold our ends, and get ready to pull them in as we rise.
It was a process to get all 9 boats into the lock and secured. But once done the lock master started the filling process, and more and more water started to flow under our keel, and the boat slowly lifted to be even with the land. Once the lock was opened, the boats filed out in order and we pushed off the wall with our boat hooks, pulled our lines aboard, and headed down the canal.
We left the state of Virginia and entered North Carolina with a welcome sign posted.
We proceeded down the Dismal Swamp Canal and found the wall which is free of charge at the Dismal Swamp Visitor Center. This dock is long enough for 3 or 4 boats to tie up alongside. However, the normal practice is for boats to raft to each other and provide safe dockage for even more. (Another first for us.) As soon as we were secured to the dock on our port side, another sailboat pulled up alongside our starboard and used our cleats to tie up next to us. Then another on their starboard side. The same was true for the other two boats on the wall and by nightfall there were nine boats tied up with each other. 
The rain started falling and was not expected to stop for another day or two. We settled in for the evening with a bowl of chili, and planned for the next day when we expected to arrive at Elizabeth City.
