Great Loop #98 Dismal Swamp Part #1

In Episode #98, after rafting with anther looper boat at the Elizabeth City free dock, we leave early to start up the Dismal Swamp Canal. It was a calm, serene journey to the Welcome Center that offers a free dock to all visitors. We decided to stay a night and enjoy the walking trails at the Visitor Center nearby.
(Recorded April/2023)
Thank you for watching!😎
#boatlife #greatloop #bucketlist #trawler #travelstaycool

[@twinrock23]

I love this! So interesting and tastefully edited-I can’t wait to try the Dismal Swamp!

[@staycool123]

That’s wonderful! Thanks so much!😎

[@dancornelius320]

Always love every Post. Watching every one!

[@staycool123]

Thanks so much Dan! We appreciate you following our journey!😎

[@davidcraig1931]

Thank you for sharing your amazing adventure! You really inspired my wife and I. I just passed stay cool on my way to the office at Kingston Mills…. Congrats on passing your wake!!

[@RuthBowes]

Great music for a morning along a beautiful waterway. It was lovely to watch. I too thought Rideau Canal when you were at the docks!

[@staycool123]

Thanks Ruth! This was a beautiful waterway. Thanks for following along😎

[@randyjude8346]

The best! .... Love the dismal swamp ( have only seen from land side) BUT retirement is just around the corner. Enjoying your adventures thank you for sharing!

[@staycool123]

The Dismal Swamp is an amazing place to visit either by land or water, but there is definitely something special about seeing the world from the water. Thanks for following along Randy!😎

[@GaryHendrick-um9xm]

What a great video. You are doing a wonderful job documenting you trip and making it come alive as I follow along. It also made me homesick for my F32 Trojan Fly Bridge sedan that the cottage replaced and our years of boating on the Rideau Canal and Thousand Islands. I agree that the Dismal Swamp is much like parts of the Rideau and Trent Severn canals. The visitors centre was amazing with all the boardwalks and the rafting reminded me of the bottom of Jones Falls locks during the Quebec construction holiday. You certainly get to know your nrighbours. I was at Chaffeys Lock today and saw three loopers overnighting on their way to Kingston. I am really looking forward to part 2. Thanks again for sharing.

[@staycool123]

Glad to hear you enjoyed this episode Gary! The Dismal Swamp was a beautiful part of the loop. And much like the Rideau Canal, a gem of a waterway. Thanks so much for watching!😎

[@lisascherer5119]

Not a bad crossing in the Ablemarle!

[@staycool123]

Hey Lisa, it was not a bad crossing at all! It could have been worse and we were glad it was good.😎 We were rewarded with a beautiful trip in the Dismal Swamp.😍

[@SaltyDougSailing]

Great video, guys! Can’t wait to watch more of your adventures! 😁👍🏼

[@staycool123]

Hey thanks SaltyDougSailing! Glad you enjoyed it and there’s lots more to come! Thanks for watching😎

[@SaltyDougSailing]

@@staycool123 If you’ve yet to do the Chesapeake Bay, let me know. Those are my old sailing grounds!

[@staycool123]

Thanks for your offer… we appreciate it! It takes time to produce each episode and in real-time we have already completed the Chesapeake Bay. There is so much to see in that area, one could spend a whole season there and still not see everything!

[@SaltyDougSailing]

@@staycool123 I totally agree. I spent 18 years cruising there myself!

[@tmac709]

What a beautiful place the Dismal Swamp Canal is. I like all of the tall trees. Wonder how old all of those trees are?

[@staycool123]

Hey TMac, the Dismal Swamp certainly is beautiful. That’s a good question! The trees we passed weren’t “giants” but apparently some giant cypress trees are up to 600 years old!😎

[@perleybowen7794]

Following your travel has been a great history lesson.

[@staycool123]

Hi Perley, glad you learned a thing or two and thanks so much for following along!😎

[@buckpowers4837]

Your coats and parkas amaze me as I am sweating at 10 in the morning and 90 degrees. You two are having the grandest time and at such a beautiful place. Hope the rest of your journey is as just as uneventful and times and times are good. Enjoy

[@staycool123]

Hey Buck, this episode was recorded at the end of April when the temperatures were much cooler in the morning, hence the warmer clothing. We agree… we are having a fabulous time on the great loop adventure. Thanks for following our journey!😎

[@iantoft9536]

What a great spot! Such good advice to just slow down and look around. The sunrise was gorgeous!

[@staycool123]

Hey thanks Ian! We never get tired of those beautiful sunrises and sunsets.😊 Definitely good to stop, slow down and “smell the roses “.😎

[@michaelmiller2599]

Just curious?, what was your actual traveling speed in the Dismal Swamp? Looked beautiful 👍🏼

[@staycool123]

Hey Michael, we travelled just above idle down that waterway, so somewhere around 5 knots. It was a magical place. Thanks for watching😎

[@lutacrew]

Next time stay at Lambs

[@staycool123]

Thanks for the tip Lutacrew!😎