10/28
12:00-Ira joined our crew today.
1:00-We fueled up at the Ocean Marine. A nice young man at the dock is flying to Florida next week in hopes of becoming part of a crew. He's passed all his tests. Anyone out there in need!
We can see old Navy ships, W.W. II types as we go.
2:00-We're having trouble with the dinghy. It's on the swim platform and taking in water from the side. The plug is out for drainage but we're idling to the bridge and haven't been able t0 open it up yet. Poor Ira. He loves speed! The Gilmerton Bridge is opening as all the boats are lined up to go through from tugs to sleek yachts to sailboats to us. Now, we've entered the Dismal Swamp area. With a speed limit of 6 mph and Ira at the helm, he's quite disappointed with the speed. It is amazingly scenic and densely lined with lovely fall hues on either side of the 50 foot expanse of water. It's forever winding from side to side with small outboard boats fishing as we go. Now, we are surprised to see homes built beside the water with private boat docks. We need to stay in the middle of the channel with the green markers to the port. Ira just passed the green marker on the starboard by mistake. The water was low but we are fine.
From the Gilmerton Bridge, we travel 6miles to the first lock and arrive at 2:50. As a courtesy, Robert opens it at 3:10 rather than 3:30. We are tied up, waiting for another boat to come and our friends, Mary and Paul with their sailboat to catch the open lock. The process takes an hour. We've been invited to meet Robert for coffee and donuts at 8:30 before he opens the Deep Creek Bridge at 9:00 so we may continue our trip. Now, we are tied up to Elizabeth's dock in the Dismal Swamp for the night.