Into the Dismal Swamp

By staying at Goat Island it gave us plenty of time to make the 11am lock at South Mills.  It was a pleasant motor and Anne actually got a bald eagle flying by.  It is in the left top of the picture by very small.  Just the same it was cool to see.

Just at the lock we caught up with Sangaris (Manta 42) and Kianda (Allied Seawind).   Kianda is from New Brunswick and a long ways from home.

We decided a break was in order for the day so we stayed at the NC Welcome Center.  We had 3 boats there for the night, one of which was Kianda so we were able to meet them.  The welcome center has a very nice park which tells a lot about the Dismal Swamp and the history of the canal that was dug in the 1800's, and is now part of the ICW.  We also had a good meeting with the Zebra Swallowtail butterfly.  Normally we are running around fields trying to get a good shot for Teagan.  These guys wouldn't go away!

Nati in the Dismal Swamp

They liked the color blue!

From the Dismal Swamp is was onward into the Chesapeake.  Almost a full circle.............

From mile marker 0 at Hospital Point in Norfolk:

• We left Hospital Point on 10/24/11 with Grey Hound.
• Sailed down to Stuart where we did our switch to Nati in January.
• Spent a good portion of the winter in the Florida Keys.
• Have put 1,561 miles on Nati after we anchored once again at Hospital Point on 5/29/12.
• Sailed and motored 2,701 miles after leaving Norfolk in October and arriving back there in May.

Not a bad winter if you ask us!