"Boating Schedule" is an oxymoron...

The two just don't go together.  We had the best plan - out early, get divers to clean the barnacle encrused prop, fill with diesel and water, hit the bridge opening at 8:30, and to the first lock in the Dismal Swamp for the 11:00 opening.  ok, we got out of our great dockage easily and the divers were waiting.  The propellar, keel, and were all barnacle covered after sitting for 6 weeks in Deltaville.  The divers worked quickly and cleaned the boat easily.  Nice, smooth ride now

Then for diesel and water..simple enough, right?  Only when the diesel pump works.  We waited and waited.  Luke did a little dew-whop moping while we waited. 

Finally the marina gave us directions to another pump, very close, and off we went, undocking lines and redocking.  A little slow, but we finally filled up all of our tanks.  We threw the lines, zipped back out into the Elizabeth River in Norfolk only to be stopped by a bigggg police boat with lots of guns telling us that a Navy aircraft carrier was coming thru, to clear the river, and to find a place to dock for an hour or so.  So, back to the fuel dock, tie up again, and wait.  The carrier WAS impressive, lumbering slowly past.

We just barely made it through the first "usually open" bridge before the bridge tender closed it for an hour "for minor repairs". So, ultimately we missed the 8:30 lock opening because of the necessary diving, and then the 11:00 lock opening compliments of the Navy. Had to call dad and reschedule him a couple of times.

We finally made it to the lock and successfully picked up dad.  The gregarious lock keeper actually let dad operate the lock!  It was good to have dad aboard for the trip.

The Great Dismal Swamp Canal had all the charm we remembered.

We did get attacked by a tree as we dodged a log in the water.

We spent the night at the NC Visitors Center, getting there at dusk, in part due to the friendly lock keeper demonstrating his conch shell playing prowess before opening the lock.

As we wound our way down the Pasquotank River,

we thought that our back luck was back as we neared Elizabeth City.  Heard a call on the VHF radio asking if any boats were in the area and intended to ask for an opening of the Elizabeth City bridge.  Turns out they were getting ready to close the bridge for an extended period for some QC work.  sigh.  The nice bridge tender kept the bridge open for us until we were able to clear it.

Finally, in Elizabeth City!

The trip felt a bit like a video game with the bad guys popping up at every turn. Boating and schedule is indeed an oxymoron.  But on the good side, we had a successful trip and met 5 new boating couples.  We all had a nice dinner together in Elizabeth City, comparing cruising experiences and getting to know each other.