Dismal Swamp

     We are in Elizabeth City, NC for a couple of days. Rain and forecast wind made us chose this stop. It's Route 2 of the ICW, an alternate route that will take us through the Dismal Swamp Canal. We've never taken this route as it is a little longer and has more locks. But with the wind forecast it is more protected and safer to travel. It is shallower and has overhanging trees so we'll see how it turns out.

     Since our stop in Charleston we've had pretty nice passages. Quiet, not a lot of other northbound traffic. We stopped in North Myrtle Beach to watch the Regional Finals for UConn WBB and we were happy with the results. Then it was on to Carolina Beach to get a mooring so we could rent a car to drive to Nashville, TN to watch the Final Four games in person. About 650 miles each way. Our passage up the Cape Fear River to Carolina Beach was the smoothest, fastest passage we ever had here. Usually it's against the current or wind. Or both. With rain, too. Not this time. Got us worried because it was too easy. Karmic payment often comes down the road.

     The trip to Nashville went well once we swapped out the rental car for one that didn't have a wheel about to wobble off. Carol gets cars and hotel rooms for free but the scalped tickets cost us big bucks. Double face value. We met up with some old friends while there but missed connecting with other UConn fans we know. The biggest event was:

WE WON! UConn WBB are National Champions again!

     Ninth time. We've been present for four of those times. This was our fifth Final Four. We don't always win. The men won also and we enjoyed watching their games in a sports bar with many other loud and crazy UConn fans. A local asked us if we have to take all the championships and, of course, we had to say, "Yes, all for us."

      When we got back to Carolina Beach we had the chance to meet up with some Monitto cousins we rarely see and have dinner with them. Nice to catch up.

     Our passages to here in Elizabeth City went pretty smoothly. The Neuse and Pamlico systems were unusually benign although the Albermarle started to kick up a bit as we were ending our crossing. The wind and seas were behind us so it was okay. I also have to say this is a very friendly and helpful town. Free docking and lots of assistance available at little or no cost.

     Tomorrow we cross into Virginia then it's a couple of (probably) windy rough days up the Chesapeake to a two week stop in Annapolis. We'll be investigating several expensive upgrades to our boat while we're there and planning for our fall southbound trip when we'll have that work done. Maybe.