T&T: Dismal Swamp Canal

[Randy Pickelmann]

Lest there be any doubt, the southern migration is in full swing!

We left Portsmouth, VA on Wednesday AM.  There were almost 50 boats waiting in
line for the 8:30 AM opening of the Jordan Rd. bridge!  The marine police were
going crazy because of so many boats sitting idle in the security zones
surrounding the navy and commercial shipping terminals.  Then things started
to get worse.  Gilmerton Bridge wouldn't open because there was a train
scheduled and there was fog and the bridge tender wasn't sure what she should
do so she called her supervisor.  After about and hour there were about 75
boats waiting.  We finally got through and headed on to the lock at Great
Bridge.  We waited for over an hour because we were unable to fit with the
first group going through the lock.  We made the second grouping but many
didn't.  The Great Bridge bridge held the first group of lockees until the
second group locked through so about 50 of us went through in short order.
There were boats of all shapes and sizes, from huge 80'+ motor yachts to 30'
sailboats with outboards. And one pokey Krogen Manatee.  We sure prefer the
Swamp.

Eventually it all got sorted out and we all made our way south down the ICW.
As we passed through Coinjock the docks on both sides of the creek were full
and starting to raft.  We continued on to Buck Island where we spent a
peaceful night and were queued up for a pre-dawn departure.  We made about 45
miles in 11 hours!  Thursday we had a peaceful crossing of the Albemarle sound
and pressed on to Dowry Creek Marina, where we intend to stay until the winds
subside.  We are caught in a pressure gradient squeeze between a high to the
west and Hurricane Noel to the east.  The Outer Banks are getting pounded and
we are experiencing a solid 25-30 kts. with gusts forecasted to 50+.  We heard
that the marinas at Coinjock turned away about 50 requests last night.  Glad
to be here!

Regards,
Randy Pickelmann
MORNING STAR
lying in Dowry Creek Marina, Bellehaven, NC
www.morningstar.talkspot.com