Thursday, October 20th, 2011 Dismal Swamp Welcome Center

  Strong winds were predicted with heavy rains coming up the coast.  During the night we could hear the winds whistling in the rigging and rustling the tall cypress and pine trees.  We were glad for the protection of the Dismal Swamp.  All but we three sailboats (Plumpuppet, Blue Planet, and Salty Spouse) left, for where, we weren’t sure because Elizabeth City was reported to be full.  I called Pelican Marina in Elizabeth City to reserve a slip just in case there was no room at the City Dock when we got there.  We were to meet Lynn and Larry Morrow (s/v Two Morrows) in Elizabeth City on Saturday.

  The Welcome Center offered to take anyone to the grocery store and Katja and I opted to go.  We got a running commentary during the trip; information about the Dismal Swamp fire and how it’s still burning in the 6 foot peat; how a fire had made Lake Drummond and this fire will probably enlarge the lake but they don’t know what the result of that will be to the canal.

  2 boats came in to the Center in the afternoon, a powerboat with a group of four wanting to have a good time, and good time they had, partying all night long with little regard for the other boats.  Another was Whisper, a catamaran.  Ray and Jody joined us and Salty Spouse (Inza and Scott) for happy hour to tell boating stories and gather information.  Another sailboat arrived after dark, a couple of young men planning to take their small sailboat through the Panama Canal and up the California coast.