10/29 Rise and shine, but it's mostly overcast. We are being served coffee and danish at Robert, the lock-master's office while we wait for him to open and close the lock for the next set of boats to come through. Then he will open the Deep Creek Bridge for all the boats to continue on through the swamp. He's a gem in the swamp! At 9:30, we've become a caravan of 10 boats traveling one behind the other at about 5 to 6 mph.
It 's a no wake zone. We're paced just right to reach the next lock at 1:30PM. The swamp is beautiful and tranquil. We're approaching the lock at 1:20. It's time to go to work! I'm on the bow and I've lasoed the post at the first try and tied it off. Ira's at the stern and ties it off easily. In a half hour, we drop 8 feet, loosen our lines gradually, the gates open and we're ready to continue through the swamp. I'm perched on the bow as we go, the scenery is beautiful with many winding turns. We're watching for dead-heads which are huge tree roots resurfacing. Submerged tree trunks are also a hazard. The wind is kicking up and the temperature is dropping. Soon, it will widen so we may increase our speed to reach our destination. We are through the swamp.
At 4:30, the Elizabeth City Bridge opens, we go through and tie up at Mariner's Wharf for the night. The town welcomes boat travelers with wine and cheese for a meet and greet. We have a nice dinner at Groupers Waterfront with Jim and Peg Healy who have been cruising and living aboard for 5 years. It's been a day full of various sights and sounds.
Tune in tomorrow!