We completed the Dismal Swamp Canal, and followed the Pasquotank River down to Elizabeth City. The canal trip was much like the prior day, but in early morning it was more calm and we saw no insects. The single lock we went through had an eight foot drop and took us to the wider river section of the trip. The canal had little growth, but a good section of the river was completely covered with duckweed. It hid some smaller sticks that we bumped through, but didn’t cause any real problems for us. When the river opened up and the breeze came across, the duckweed vanished, and it felt much like the Adirondacks. There were several ideal looking anchorages that unfortunately we could not stop at. After passing under a double lift bridge we were in Elizabeth City. They have wonderful free slips for boats by a park, and a free museum of the Albemarle right near the water as well. In the evening they showed an outdoor movie for the community and boaters. Although not a busy time of year for cruising boaters passing through, there were two other boats there, and we all stayed up talking well into the night. One family had sailed over from France in November and was heading up to lake Champlain as well, so we’re hoping to cross paths again.
