We're in Virginia at Mile Marker "0"

No winning lottery tickets, but a winning day. We left our anchorage at 7:45 having gaged the time it would take us to arrive at the South Mills Lock at the southern end of the Dismal Swamp. It was slow going, partly because we couldn't get into the lock until 11:00 and partly because several other boats traveling the same route chose to move slowly. We all arrived in good time and were lifted 8 feet to join the level of the Dismal Swamp. It was quite warm in the lock and we shed a layer or two of clothing. The sun was out for most of the day but we're far enough north for the air to have a nip to it for most of the day.

We decided that this "nessie" lawn ornament was guarding the "lock(h)" we were about to enter.

Someone in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway or US Army Core of Engineers has a real sense of humor. The very tasteful sign identifies this as the Superintendent's House!

The bottom three pictures show us in the South Mills lock. The top three show the lushness and closeness of the Dismal Swamp Canal. Surveyor George Washington did a good job making it straight!

Most of the Dismal Swamp is tree-lined on both sides, but occasionally you see a house or two. This house had placed the large "Flat Stanley" across the canal from their house. He was riddled with bullet holes!

One of my favorite Sesame Street number songs is "Ten Tiny Turtles", so when I started seeing several tiny turtles sunning themselves I made it a challenge to get pictures of 10. I just made it and some are a little fuzzy, but just count them! If you don't remember the song, just google ten tiny turtles and you can watch a U-tube video of the song!

We made it through to the Deep Creek Lock at the northern end of the canal with only a few bumps on deadheads (sunken logs) that lurk at the bottom of the canal. The depths were fine throughout. We emerged from the second lock 8 feet lower and headed towards Tidewater Marina. We were taken by surprise at the Gilmerton Bridge that used to be on request, but they changed their schedule in December and only open on the half hour and we arrived at 4:36! We decided to anchor for the hour wait and Andiamo and Pekabu III rafted with us - the first raft in our whole trip! Pretty strange for CCYC boats who usually are rafted each time we meet!

We went through the bridge at 5:30 only to have Andiamo's engine overheat. They dropped their hook and I dropped Dan off aboard - the engine belt had failed. They had a spare and he made quick work of putting it on and we continued on to Tidewater - arriving at 7 pm. Dinner ashore at Tidewater's restaurant after a long day. ~~~(\_~~~M&D

Sunset today found us wending our way through the busy port area of Portsmouth/Norfolk.