Wednesday, October 19th, 2011, Dismal Swamp Welcome Center

  The big consideration was the opening of the Gilmerton Bridge, which had just lengthened their rush hour closing to 9:30am.  We joined the parade of boats, about 10 of us in all, trawlers and sailboats.  At 9:20am the bridgetender announced an early opening due to a tug wanting passage north, so all of us amassed at green marker #22 and she let us through.  The Jordan Bridge had been removed and was being replaced and all the railroad bridges were open.  Passing under the last bridge we mistook a Virginia Cut marker for the Dismal Swamp marker and almost cut the corner too wide.  It was a relief to pass into the quieter Dismal Swamp route.

  At the Deep Creek Lock we saw a green light, hailed the lockmaster and all of us went in behind a Corp of Engineers boat that was touring the Dismal Swamp.  Robert, the lockmaster, and his dog U Turn, were familiar with the regulars and gave his usual conch recital.  We motored on down to the Welcome Center where 7 boats were rafted, not including the Corp of Engineers’ boat.  We rafted off another sailboat and Blue Planet rafted off us.  Later one other sailboat came in (the Corp of Engineers’ boat and one sailboat left), making 10 boats rafted together, 3 abreast plus one, for the night.  The night before 16 boats had stayed at the Welcome Center wall!  They must have taken up the whole canal.

  Later we all met for appetizers and drinks and got acquainted.  About half the boats are aiming for the Bahamas for the winter.