Day 339 South Mills Lock Dismal Canal to Portsmouth Monday April 22, 2019

Day 339 South Mills Lock Dismal Canal to Portsmouth Monday April 22, 2019

The night was mild and still. The clouds were around in the morning making it rather cool but sun came out in the late morning. Winds were 10 knots in the afternoon. Temperatures started low 50s and warmed to upper 70s.

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The day started with clouds and was rather cool once we got underway at 0700. The boats from last night all left as a flotilla. The lock master arrived as promised and opened the bridge promptly and we were off for 23 miles to the lock at the other end of the canal.

And most importantly this is the day that we leave the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at mile zero - right at our marina for the night.

The canal was die straight with only one bend about 2/3s of the way to the next lock.

There is a visitor center and state park about 5 miles along the way.

There is even a floating bridge that is used for a pedestrian crossing.

We had planned to stay here last night but as you can see it was full.

This is the old Canal Superintendent's House.

Not sure if you can see it well, but the still water reflected the over hanging branches making it look like there were branches under the water.

The trees are crowding the canal and a sailboat yesterday struck one of the overhanging trees and did some damage to its mast. I like my powerboat thank you - and being the lead dog in the parade of 5 boats.

The sun finally started to come out and make the canal less "dismal" looking. Ironically, there is a road parallel to the canal for most of the way. So that diminished the wilderness effect at times.

And finally we are getting close to the lock as we see a boat coming southbound that we assume passed through on the 0830 opening.

We ended up having to wait for the bridge and lock as it turns out they will lock southbound boats through first - which there was one. There was space to tie up for two boats and being the lead boat we got one. It turned out to be fortuitous as immediately opposite the wall there was a Hardees for a breakfast biscuit and a grocery store that we were able to get fresh vegetables and a few staples that eliminated the need to find a grocery store in Portsmouth, our destination for the day. Psst, we are not in the dismal swamp country anymore.

Finally it was our turn to go into the lock.

Robert was the lockmaster - been doing it for 25 years forgot to get a picture of him. He goes by Robert which reminded us of our son Robert and all his girls and then Ryan with the other "tribe" that we collectively miss very much - but will see them soon.!!!

Note that this boat is from Isleboro, Maine. It is an island in mid coast Maine.

The lock tender's house is well maintained.

And finally we travel a few miles and connect with the normal Intracoastal Waterway route and almost immediately have to wait for a train - you can see the black bridge in the down position.

And now opening.

And then it is industry and naval yards - it was amazing to see - but made me feel like Scuffy the Tugboat

And finally we arrived at the Tidewater Marina in downtown Portsmouth, VA. We are not in North Carolina anymore!!

We got settled in after fueling and headed off for a walk around town. There was a very interesting old part of town. This included the downtown and old area of original homes.

This monument was downtown.

I really hope that this monument survives the onslaught of being PC. Seeing this for me was moving and highlighted that we did have a civil war in this country that we should never forget and always be reminded that though today we would never support the cause of the south, there were countless Confederate soldiers that died just as did Union soldiers. And each one was loved by someone that mourned deeply their passing. It helps me understand all are created equal.

And this magnificent church is just down the next block.

And this seeming church was actually a school funded by someone that felt that education for all was important.

And then we walked among the nearby historic neighborhood homes which were very beautiful. But I will say that most did not come close to the likes of the homes in old Charleston.