May 15 - 20 Dismal Swamp to PortsmouthVA

US Wisconsin in Norfolk Water Dancer in the Dismal Swamp

May 15 Dismal Swamp to Portsmouth,VA
Left early and headed out to the Dismal Swamp. In 1763, George Washington supervised the digging of the ditch. Today it passes a number of historical sites along the Virginia/North Carolina border. We were dropped 8 feet at the South Mills lock and then spent the night at the North Carolina Welcome Center, rafted up to JJ’s Odyssey. We grilled a nice dinner with Jack and Judy – a delightful evening in pleasant surroundings. We finished the Dismal the next day and cruised into Norfolk, Va. What a change in scenery as we passed battleships and other large commercial vessels.


We came into Tidewater Marina in Portsmouth so we could see our friends, Bob and Judy, of EndTuition. We had met them in Regatta Point in Palmetto since they were next to us from the beginning of January until we left in February. We were docked three boats from End Tuition so we went over to say hi and visit awhile. Judy was leaving for Nags Head with a friend and loaned us her car.
An old fashioned paddleboat was a ferry that crossed from Portsmouth to Norfolk so we went over to Norfolk. A nice mall with a Dillards, Nordstrom, Chico’s etc was over there so we did some shopping and walked around Norfolk. They have a nice riverfront area with sculptures of mermaids, a nice marina and of course the ferry. A very clean nice town. The next day was errand day since we had the use of Judy’s car. We went to the Laundromat and did several loads. Then we headed for Wal-Mart and West Marine. Stopped at Best Buy and a pet store along the way. May 18th we played tourist and walked around the historic area of Portsmouth- just a few blocks from the marina. We then took the ferry to Norfolk and went through the Douglas MacArthur museum and also toured the battleship, USS Wisconsin. That evening we went out with Bob and Judy for a nice dinner in Norfolk. May 19-We enjoyed the Norfolk, Portsmouth area but it was time to say goodbye and head further north. Today it was quite windy and we did get into some 4’ waves coming through the Chesapeake. Fortunately we didn’t have far to go and made it by 2 into Yorktown River Marina.