On Thursday we traveled from Belhaven up the pungo/alligator canal, which is a long straight ditch with trees lining both sides, to the Alligator River. The Alligator River becomes very wide and open. It flows into the Albemarble Sound. The Albemarble is dreaded by many loopers because it is a very open and very shallow body of water which becomes very rough when a little wind blows. We were very fortunate to cross on a day when the wind was moderate. The waves were about two feet. Some who crossed a couple of hours ahead of us swore the waves were three to four feet. Shelly sat in her first mate's seat and held on for dear life. Muriel handled it very well. We were barely able to see land for see land for several hours. Finally the trees began to take shape and Shelly's white knuckles began to take on some color again. We motored into Elizabeth City and tied up to their free municipal docks. The mayor helped us tie up to the docks. The city prides itself as being a boater friendly community. They treat visiting boaters to free wine and cheese each evening. Naturally Muriel accepted graciously. They did have a beer for the likes of me.

Today we got up early again in order to make the scheduled opening of the bridge at Elizabeth City to continue up the Paxatank River and into the Dismal Swamp canal. It rained early in the day but the swamp was so beautiful that the rain could not distract from it. Muriel says the rain added to the beauty. As the day went on the sun finally broke out as we continued the 22 mile run up the canal. We got our first experience with transiting a lock. Shelly and Muriel handled the lines very well. In the middle of the swamp is a brand new visitor center. We were held up there for a while because a trawler further up the canal had gotten hung-up on a submerged vehicle. The waterway was closed while divers searched the area and got the vehicle removed. We rafted up with 12 other cruising boats at the visitor center and expected we might be stuck there for the night. It was a fun experience visiting with all the other boaters. They got the vehicle removed and reopened the waterway so the twelve boats continued in caravan on up the waterway. We ran our second lock and continued on to Norfolk. We are in the Tidewater Marina in Portsmouth, Va, across the water from Norfolk. We have a magnificent view of the Norfolk skyline tonight.