The Great Dismal Swamp to Norfolk, a study in contrasts! We travelled about 50 miles through a canal that was hand dug by slaves and completed in 1805. While its history is sobering, it was anything but dismal. Quite narrow and full of wildlife. A quiet cruise that took two days.

Started the trip at Elizabeth City, NC where we were greeted by Gus, a local gentleman who catches lines and generally spends his days supporting arriving boaters.  Midway, we entered Virginia and visited the nature center and biked to where the wild things are... And, enjoyed a potluck dinner at the rustic welcome center with fellow Michigan Loopers Patriot and Blue Willow. Nine boats were rafted to spend the night.

The end of this segment puts you into the Chesapeake Bay right in the midst of Naval operations in Norfolk. Enormous aircraft carriers and freighters seem like skyscrapers from Loophole.  We spent the night in Portsmouth and went to see the Avengers in a 1945 restored movie theater that serves dinner. Great murals that were much better than the movie!

One more night on mainland Virginia in Deltaville, settled in 1642. Grabbed groceries via bike and grilled out with 3 couples. Lovely evening sharing stories.