Last of the Dismal Swamp, for now

Ok, last post on the swamp for this phase of the trip!

In several spots we had to negotiate around trees overhanging
the canal being careful to not hit a snag or run aground.

We weren't always successful in avoiding the branches.  Better to trim trees
rather than hit a stump or shoal.

Handy chart along the way.  By the time we finish our trip, we'll
have covered every mile posted.

Our boats tied up at a free wall outside of lock 2.  A convenient
grocery store across the street made this a perfect spot to layover a night.

An old dock along the canal.  When it was a commercial venture,
there were many small settlements along the canal with mills, stores and
towns full of people.

Another sense of humor.  We saw this figure on a dock from the
distance and wondered what he was doing.  

More shades of greens.

This is the back of the welcome sign welcoming southbound boat
to North Carolina.

The canal also had these handy mile markers helping you keep track
on paper charts of your location.

Viny art.  This is one old vine.

A destroyed still.

There can be no wake along the entire stretch of the canal.  Wake does
dislodge plants along the canal and erodes the bank.

This was once the site of a thriving lumber mill town.

More pollen art.  If you click to enlarge the picture, you can
see how chocolate the water in our bow wave looks.

Eyes on the chart to keep us afloat!

Our path cut through the thickest part of the pollen.

This kind of snag was a constant concern for us.  I'd never navigate
the canal in the dark.

Cypress soaking up the water.

Charts were essential since there were so many false routes and side creeks
that looked as large as the canal at their mouths.