The crews of both vessels in our little fleet transiting the Dismal Swamp had independently come to the same conclusion when we arrived at the visitors center to tie up for the night. Five and a half miles earlier, we had passed the entrance to the Feeder Canal which brings water down from Lake Drummond to supply the lock system and control the water level . The mysterious channel running straight up into the trees with a sign saying, “Explore at your own risk” and a wharf directly opposite with a sign reading, “24 Hour mooring only” are not the kind of thing that can be ignored with the promise of perfect fall weather on the following day.
We made our plans on a pleasant stroll around the boardwalks and along the canal road. We would leave Serendipity at the wharf and return in Strider towing their RIB and outboard for the three mile run up to the lake.
It was the kind of day I said after my Columbus Day daysail in Fisher’s Sound could only be produced in the last warm days of a New England fall. Well, I was wrong. The air had that same caressing and intoxicating quality and the foliage was just about at the same level as a month earlier in Connecticut.
We ran up the canal to the dam and ranger station and discovered the most delightful little self service arrangement you could imagine. There were several people camping and some departing in kayaks for a tour of the lake.
After transporting the RIB up into the lake as you will see below, we started up the upper canal portion to the lake and quickly met the kayaks returning with disappointed looks. They said there was a wicked chop on the lake. That seemed improbable in the near calm. Sure enough though, when we emerged from the canal entrance with three people and a large dog in a modest sized RIB, we immediately began getting wet. Our tour of the lake was very short, just enough to see around the shore line and snap a couple quick photos. From what we could see though, this, the largest lake in Virginia, looks pretty much as you see in the last photo all the way around.
We also reached the same conclusion about the canal at dinner after retracing our steps. This was about the most fun side trip any of us have ever taken on a cruise.
StriderandSerendipity moored at the visitor’s center.
Heading back up the main canal:
Strider moored at the wharf across from the Feeder Canal. This is where Terry and Carole saw her as they passed.
Heading up the Feeder Canal:
The dam comes into sight:
The dam with the boat lift channel to port:
Maggie running towards the boat lift to find that magic dog spot:
Lee rowing up to the lift:
Lynn lowering the lift:
The RIB on the lift car:
The RIB slowly moving towards the lake portion of the canal:
And, over the hump:
Re-launching:
Lynn operating, Maggie assisting. It’s a lot of work to hold that button down:
Lee heading for the float to reload:
View of the dam and lift:
The upper canal:
Cypress trees at the lake outlet:
The lake:
Looking back at the canal from the lake:
Video at:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1966026410772
We made our plans on a pleasant stroll around the boardwalks and along the canal road. We would leave Serendipity at the wharf and return in Strider towing their RIB and outboard for the three mile run up to the lake.
It was the kind of day I said after my Columbus Day daysail in Fisher’s Sound could only be produced in the last warm days of a New England fall. Well, I was wrong. The air had that same caressing and intoxicating quality and the foliage was just about at the same level as a month earlier in Connecticut.
We ran up the canal to the dam and ranger station and discovered the most delightful little self service arrangement you could imagine. There were several people camping and some departing in kayaks for a tour of the lake.
After transporting the RIB up into the lake as you will see below, we started up the upper canal portion to the lake and quickly met the kayaks returning with disappointed looks. They said there was a wicked chop on the lake. That seemed improbable in the near calm. Sure enough though, when we emerged from the canal entrance with three people and a large dog in a modest sized RIB, we immediately began getting wet. Our tour of the lake was very short, just enough to see around the shore line and snap a couple quick photos. From what we could see though, this, the largest lake in Virginia, looks pretty much as you see in the last photo all the way around.
We also reached the same conclusion about the canal at dinner after retracing our steps. This was about the most fun side trip any of us have ever taken on a cruise.
StriderandSerendipity moored at the visitor’s center.
Heading back up the main canal:
Strider moored at the wharf across from the Feeder Canal. This is where Terry and Carole saw her as they passed.
Heading up the Feeder Canal:
The dam comes into sight:
The dam with the boat lift channel to port:
Maggie running towards the boat lift to find that magic dog spot:
Lee rowing up to the lift:
Lynn lowering the lift:
The RIB on the lift car:
The RIB slowly moving towards the lake portion of the canal:
And, over the hump:
Re-launching:
Lynn operating, Maggie assisting. It’s a lot of work to hold that button down:
Lee heading for the float to reload:
View of the dam and lift:
The upper canal:
Cypress trees at the lake outlet:
The lake:
Looking back at the canal from the lake:
Video at:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1966026410772
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