ICW Boat Trip - NY to Florida ep10 The Dismal Swamp

Our boat journey continues from Norfolk Virginia through the great Dismal swamp onwards to Elizabeth City North Carolina. After a stormy day prior, the crew of Happy Ours takes its last few looks at Navy warships before heading up the dismal creek, through its canal and locks and finally to the welcoming Elizabeth City with its free docks and hospitality.
Join the crew of Happy Ours as it travels from New York to Cape Coral Florida along America’s Great Loop and intracoastal waterway down the east coast.
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[@mikethedesertrat]

This is why I love KZbin. I had never even heard of the Dismal Swamp. Thanks for sharing your trip. Looks pretty amazing.

[@HeilRay]

Goin on a boat trip from the comfort of inside

[@mikethedesertrat]

@@HeilRay Only if it's bad weather, otherwise put me out there. Too many places to boat all of them, but my goal is to die trying.

[@kylereider54]

Turn that boat around and go back to ny... sincerely a real Floridian🖕

[@hikerhobby1204]

Me too! My son often calls “What are you up to?” “I’m traveling via KZbin!” I’ve learned so much!

[@guscarlson7021]

This looks like a place where the mosquitos consider something like "OFF" or "Deet" as human salad dressing.

[@rayb1330]

There is a multi use trail that runs parallel to the water. It's the biting flies that are terrible.

[@guscarlson7021]

@@rayb1330 I can believe it. Horse flies can bite like Hell.

[@Morningfire19D]

A torrent of biting flies is omnipresent.

[@navydoc8695]

It 100% is. I used to live about a mile from there.

[@garyjohnson1970]

Off is on, and Deet is sweet! The Skeeters!

[@johnlockesghost5592]

Wound up taking the Dismal Swamp route by mistake once...at night... a moonless night, on board a 90 foot 60 ton head boat. To say we were glad to get to the lock and tie up until morning is an understatement.

[@kennethhacker3014]

Wow ..did ya do any prop damage?

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

I don’t think so. Hard to tell with all the traveling we did. Now it’s being repaired from hurricane Ian so their is that damage.

[@timflynn2136]

We went thru in 2014 when Robert was lock master. RIP Robert. He told us to just take our time on our journey to the Florida Keys. He also said forget about time. You'll get there when you get there. Enjoy the trip.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Wise man!

[@kennethdias9988]

The signs on the 95 through Virginia always cracked me up “ The Great Dismal Swamp”

[@ralphholiman7401]

Thanks, that was one of the best video logs of a trip on the Dismal Swamp Canal I think I have seen. That trip has been on my bucket list for a while.

[@virginiastirnweis.6496]

I have wanted to see the Dismal Swamp since I was young. This video showed it is like I picture. As if you are the only person on earth. Thanks for sharing.

[@rivahlivin]

I really enjoyed this. My mother who is 100 yrs old , visited the dismal swamp and went on a canoe tour of the swamp in the 1940's. She said the guide was a older gentleman with a white beard who recited the "Lady of the Lake" from memory. He also insisted that they drink the water from the swamp as it had healing properties. He rinsed out a old tin can and that was passed around.

[@alexandrep4913]

The last part is insane

[@MrJhchrist]

@@alexandrep4913 Well she lived to 100 so...

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

I had read the same claims about the healing properties. It was treasured back in the day. I believe George Washington also had the same beliefs and used it for his troops.

[@83RBurke]

The creek is eerily beautiful with the lush green going right down to the water

[@lindamortensen7835]

This was so relaxing. I thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Thank you.

[@Night--Shift]

My goodness that is such a gorgeous view and journey in the channel.

[@TM-tw1py]

Two true athletes conquering the world!

[@BoatingCharlie]

Just bought a 2007 341 last week for traveling the Great Lakes with my wife and three small kids and just wanted to say how much we enjoy your videos and how much they have helped us with knowledge on maintenance on this boat. Safe travels and keep them coming, great work!

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Thanks and good luck! Any questions you have, let me know!

[@jb-il3vh]

oh my, howd that Go

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Went great!

[@bboobb1122334455]

That “abandoned” bridge is for access to private property on the other side. Farmland, house, barn. I’ve done some dove hunting there. If you noticed, the bridge is stored on the south (right) side of the canal. It can be extended over the canal when needed.

[@keithscudder7136]

The Intracoastal waterway is up and down the east Coast !

[@wolfkremen]

thanks for the rarely seen scenery and your calm style.

[@ItsMeScareCro]

Great video! "Dismal Swamp" was one of my favorite lessons back in middle school!

[@richardcasey4439]

Dismal swamp is quite tranquil

[@nickgoodall578]

When you're reading off the spreadsheet, I got a real strong Teddy from Bob's Buger's vibe. Thanks for sharing!

[@bocabec6744]

Gosh, I think they should rename it, "The Beautiful Swamp." Some nice photography for sure. I like the little Lock Keepers house. The greenery off to the sides is lush beyond belief. Thank you for producing these fine video's without a bunch of hype. Anyone who loves the outdoors gets finger nicks on a weekly basis. We sure have a beautiful nation.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Yes those lock keepers have a nice job!

[@waltp.1173]

Great video. Thank you.

[@LSpruill44]

Lambs Marina, and now renovated restaurant in Camden is now open. This Albemarle area is my home. I was also born in Belhaven. Brackish life. Cool to see a video of it. Thanks for the journey down the “as I know it” George Washington canal!

[@one234569and10]

The reflection makes a good photo

[@randyclyde4939]

Just stumbled on this channel... Wow, does this bring back some wonderful memories! Next opportunity you have to stop at the DSwamp Visitor's Center, they keep daily entry book of those vessels and crew who've stopped and registered. My first trip through the canal was with my Dad in 2000. We came back a few years later and they dug out our old entry and made us a copy. For me the really interesting info was about the water that looks like root beer. A little research revealed that sailing vessels preparing for extended time at sea would load up their water barrels with this swamp water. The chemicals in it coming from the swamp made the water great to drink and it would last for months at sea. Be well, be safe!

[@jerrycallender9927]

In my younger years I was in a Sea Explorer Ship in Norfolk and we rowed from Town Point to Elizabeth City every Summer, over-nighting at the South Mills Lock. Our best time was 13 hours and 16 minutes.

[@Morningfire19D]

I worked with the local power utility for many years up that way. Many of the sites in your video I have seen over those years, but never from your perspective... always from the banks. It was like a trip down memory lane as you progressed. Thanks for sharing. That was awesome.

[@76629online]

I lived in Elizabeth City for about a year, a little over 20 years ago when I was still in the Navy. Neat little town. Some of the biggest snakes I have ever seen in the wild I saw there in Pasquotank County.

[@dillerdog1]

Very informative. Laid back cruise! Thanks for taking the time to make the video it was awesome.

[@quidproquo3933]

water color in the dismal looked Amazonian very interesting lil slice of the u.s.

[@marktinkler6897]

Stopped at the school also. Was befriended by the school's minister who gave us the use of his personal automobile to go shopping. A super guy! He even ran a water hose out to our boat for our convenience while we were there (3 days I think)

[@kennethhacker3014]

This is incredible, thanks for sharing you adventure

[@kennethhacker3014]

I been wanting to take my cruiser on this trip ..I don't have a good navigation software yet...

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

The Navionics app or Aquamaps are affordable alternatives to use when navigating with a tablet with gps capabilities. Or even you smartphone.

[@hansrenker2923]

Looks like a great adventure. Enjoy!

[@markrix]

Wow boats are gas guzzlers, i knew this, just didnt know it was that bad!!

[@artsmith103]

This speed is their high mpg

[@tigerphid9677]

How surreal, with that perfect reflection....

[@jaynedoe1959]

Thanks for the ride!

[@brooklynrobotworks9866]

Very interesting; thank you.

[@seancrouse9623]

I am really enjoying this series! The drone footage is amazing! I appreciate the commentary you provide. You are living the life, brother!

[@johnramsayskier]

Been making this drive pretty often that runs parallel to this! Cool to see what it looks like from a boat POV

[@mikegrant8490]

Secret... Just by the entrance to the Deep Creek locks entrance off to your port side, there is a wild cherry tree. Hit it when they ripen and feast. The cut to South Mills is known as one that George Washington surveyed as a young man, the water exiting from Lake Drummond was coveted for its keeping fresh on long sea voyages. The tannins and tannic acid were responsible for the keeping the water fresh. It's been almost 60 years since the canal became one of my favorite fresh water swimming spots. Don't worry about the water moccasins. Just swim faster.

[@ronschultz1977]

Love the videos and the adventure. I also wondered about the route, but I see the responses.

[@ATLOffroad]

Very cool part of the ICW. I’ll have to explore it myself someday. Thanks for sharing.

[@BaldwinBay]

Incredible excursion! Best wishes for a brilliant future.

[@GUNNER67akaKelt]

Beautiful scenery for a Dismal Swamp. Loved the extra video.

[@Billy420-69]

Very cool.

[@wydryfly]

That’s some serious duckweed

[@vicioustwist]

Bizarre, eerie landscape

[@krisholden5365]

I used to live in Elizabeth City. I miss it tremendously. What an amazing area.

[@pnw6139]

16:35 that Chris craft is nice

[@fredread9216]

Oh thanks, great memories. Good job on the video. (Sorry your finger got bit). Have made this trip several times. Always good times. Have stayed overnight and have done it straight through. Over night more fun and relaxing and less pressure on schedule. I have always been able to find a spot. We made the trip from NC to Annapolis once in late april. We encountered snow and cold and rain, but we had a nice warm pilothouse and on the entire trip only saw 2 vessels. A sailboat heading to Baltimore and a navy tug towing a barge. That was it! Really great trip. We could use the autopilot a lot as NO traffic! Again, thanks!

[@deepharrow8520]

Didn't even know this was possible so many things to do in this life

[@Sailing.Artemis]

that swamp is right near one of my fave skydive places

[@ksessa1010]

Well that was different. So interesting the different parts of our country. Thanks for sharing

[@kencarnley7101]

This is Awesome!

[@ronaldharmon9891]

The swamp transit was very cool looked calming too.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Except when we hit things. Lol

[@williamwebberjr8045]

Inspirational

[@jimmybritt9537]

Greener than I remember but the same seawater strainer problem , stay safe out there 👍👍🇺🇸

[@marktinkler6897]

Been thru here a number of times on my 34 ft sailing catamaran. Got stuck at the visitor center for 10 days because high water from a passing hurricane prevented the locks from working.😮

[@billygraysullivaniii200]

Stunning

[@Military-Museum-LP]

New subscriber from Italia here!

[@John-ji5bo]

Really enjoyable watch. As a UK based boater I'm envious of how beautifully maintained everything is. The facilities on the inland waterways in the east of England where I'm based are shocking in comparison.

[@TheCastedone]

'Merica

[@DL-yo5tq]

This stuff has always fascinated me! Very cool little adventure.

[@KapeKiwi]

Tom - what a fascinating journey. Seems so remote and distant - until you put the bird up into the air. Thanks for posting.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ross6343]

Enjoying your videos - thanks for doing them! Safe traveling. Cheers...

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Thank you!

[@UrbanFisherman]

Thanks for the trip captain

[@TheMarpalm]

Really enjoying the series. Excellent work with editing and drone coverage.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Thanks!

[@kevinlyons4545]

Absolutely awesome 👍 Made the trip from Cape May NJ to Ft. Lauderdale in 1991 on my parents brand new 45 Viking Yacht. Your videos bring back awesome and cherished memories. Like taking the trip all over again. Not much has changed. Keep up the amazing videos. Tight Lines and fair seas

[@toddfoglia1882]

Thank you I’m gonna b a shrimp boat captain when I grow up

[@cristianradulescu6239]

Awesome video. 👍👏 Nice boat 🛥 BTW

[@bradwhite6254]

This is the first video of yours that I've seen. Well done. I have a sailboat so it's fun to see how the other half lives.

[@pauloconnor2980]

Nice bridges @ 13:39!!!!!

[@socal33]

Brave flying a drone near trees over water! But it's what gave us such great footage. I'm adding this detour to our future plans on the Great Loop.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

Brave or stupidity. Lol. It struck a branch and luckily didn’t crash. You can see that footage in the video. I cut it just as it hit branch. Lol

[@AndrewOvenden]

You’ve definitely got to avoid using the “return to home” button. I’ve seen a few boating videos where they forgot that their boat had moved on from the launch point 😂

[@williamwebb7917]

Way cool video. Visited Dismal Swamp once, but your video shows a whole lot more from a boat. Very enjoyable to watch.

[@jarrodforet3557]

This is a nice little cabin cruiser nice trip on the water soon pleasant

[@bigdave4863]

I really like your spreadsheet, great information! Enjoy your videos! Peace.

[@AdventuresofHappyOurs]

When the trip videos are done we’ll do a recap and take all that info and analyze it.

[@CalciteSerendipity]

What you thought was an old train track is a bridge that a farmer extends to move farm machinery across the canal. Those little floats you passed have a chain running across the canal usually on the bottom so they hop on and pull themselves across.

[@mikegrant8490]

Right about 6:30 in the video, you passed a set of barges that are used to move farm equipment and right after that is the cut to Lake Drummond. Wild grapes in the fall of the year.

[@michaelford746]

ports... muth. = portsmouth... I'm a local so I know. great vid.

[@timothycavaretta3979]

Just started following your channel. What a great way to see America. Completely different perspective. Very cool.

[@willm6598]

I love these videos, thank you so much for making them

[@petermccuskey1832]

absolutely beautiful journey

[@beesbythesea8899]

I was a little kid had in the early 60's when my dad brought me and my brother through here in our little 17 foot Thompson. I remember seeing snakes and that made an impression. Would love to revisit. Great video

[@mattheweburns]

So beautiful so green!

[@riproar11]

I have seen SO many boat tours and I haven't seen what is built into this special boat, but it looks like it packs all the essentials in the right size! Interior space isn't wasted, like on many pricey Finland-made boats, with just enough walkway space along the sides to gain access to and from the bow or to secure fenders while docking.

[@adventurekid9242]

Looks like a fun paddle in a kayak also

[@davidcontreraz8083]

Passing through some good fishing holes......

[@seaport10]

Fantastic! Love your video and commentary! Safe Travels!

[@knightflyer7968]

I pretty much take this route (By land) every day at work! Awesome to see it from the water's point of view. I'm dying for a boat! LOL! Great Video!

[@keithscudder7136]

Get a boat with a enclosed wheel house unless you like the mosquitos !

[@jeffwindrim975]

That looks like a interesting part of the loop.

[@sochinese]

WOW the river is so calm. beautiful reflections

[@ikaikamaleko8370]

Wow this was interesting to watch, a real different environment from what I grew up in on Oahu.

[@mattheweburns]

The water looks like tea lol! So glad to see some canal rides in the states for once. I’ve been fascinated with the long boots of England for years now so it’s really neat to see that we have waterways like this here in the southeast. Safe journeys, cheers!

[@Hurricane0721]

That tea colored water is due to a chemical called tannin. It’s a natural chemical that the plants surrounding the water slowly leak into the water. Tannin producing plants are very common to the swampy areas of the Southeast US.

[@MrHuggiebear420]

This was so interesting thank you for posting, I grew up boating in the Pacific Northwest but this is something special

[@kingchristopherpaul477hutc8]

That was cool. Stay Blessed!!!

[@pap91rt50]

Watched every one so far...excellant.

[@jbrat1967]

Thx for vids

[@loubonaparte5063]

amazing!!!

[@john3242]

Awesome view from the camera thank you for Sharing the footage have a great trip be safe

[@GuyJ-te2jy]

Spectacular! Thank you~

[@egomaniac247]

This is an awesome documentary of your trip! So pretty - we used to drive by the Dismal Swamp canals on the way to the beach...always wondered what the journey looked like.

[@robertcalamusso1603]

Great Thx

[@michaelsedway9703]

Grew up In The southwest. Never knew about this. I want to visit