Dismal Swamp Canal | Cruising The ICW

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Atlantic ICW, Conch Man, CruisingTheICW, Deep Creek Lock, Dismal Swamp Canal, Lockmaster, Rest in Peace, RIP Robert Peek

January 28, 2021. Recently, in an email exchange with a fellow cruiser on Instagram, I learned that Robert Peek, the lockmaster of the Deep Creek lock on the Dismal Swamp Canal had unexpectedly passed away on October 1, 2020. His obituary appeared in the October 4, 2020 Virginian – Pilot. Robert’s passing was a loss to family, friends, and the boating community that cruises the historic and beautiful Dismal Swamp Canal and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

Robert never met a stranger. Thanks to his expansive collection of conch shells, he was affectionately known to cruisers as “the conch man.” His collection lined the walkways outside the lock office. He told me that numerous cruisers passing through the lock had brought him shells they had picked up especially for him during their travels. If you were lucky, he would play you a tune on one of his many shells. Tributes written to Robert appear on the Great Harbour Trawlers, website and in the Waterway Guide.

To his family, friends, and fellow lockmasters, we offer our prayers and deepest sympathy. Robert was a good person that made cruisers through the lock feel welcome and appreciated. May he Rest In Peace.

When the golden sun is setting

And the earth no more you trod

May your name in gold be written

By the sacred hand of God.

Oh Captain My Captain

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Atlantic Yacht Basin, Beaufort NC, Belfast ME Harbor Fest, Belhaven NC, Boating, Bridge Tender Marina, Coinjock Marina & Restaurant, Coinjock Marina & Restaurant PRIME RIB, Cruising canines, Dismal Swamp Canal, Food, Life, Marinas, Quotes, Restaurants, Spoon River Artworks and Market, T.W. Graham & Company Seafood Restaurant, The Big Tuna

Friday, May 29, 2020. I used to associate Thoreau’s quote with time spent aboard our old Cargile Cutter Cruiser, “SunSmiles.” And then, along came grandchildren. Know what I mean?

Today, “SunSmiles” is history, the little Mainship 34T, “Slow Dance” has replaced “her,” and our grandchildren have reached the age where Nana and Poppa are not their #1 priority — which means that the “channel in which our life flows” is evolving back to time split between grandchildren and cruising. Now, it appears COVID-19 restrictions may dictate our summer 2020 destinations and schedule. BUT, at least we have wonderful memories of summers past, and making plans for the future.

Have you planned your summer cruising or vacation schedule? Will you be CruisingTheICW, cruising with your cruising club, or simply enjoying time on the water with family and friends. At CruisingTheICW, we would love for you to share your favorite cruising destinations, marinas, restaurants, attractions, festivals and events, with us.

Here is a collage of pics from some of our travels. Recognize any of them?

Where will your life be flowing this weekend? This summer?

The beauty of a sunset to end a day of cruising.

Nothing like stretching out on the bow after a good dinner.

Leaving Coinjock, NC

Coinjock Marina’s “world famous” PRIME RIB DINNER!!!

The beautiful “Lady Kath” spent the night off our bow, in Coinjock.

Leaving the Great Bridge lock

“Pretty maids all in a row” at AYB, as we idle past the face dock and head to Hampton.

Southbound for parts unknown

Spoon River Artworks & Market dining room

Belhaven’s finest restaurant

What better day than Saturday to remember the incredible “fresh off the boat” fried shrimp dinner at T.W. Graham’s in the little fishing village of McClellanville, SC., on the ICW north of historic Charleston.

Atlantic Yacht Basin

When we leave the South Mills Lock, we’ll be in the Dismal Swamp Canal. In the left of the picture you see the dreaded Duck Weed floating on the surface of the water. While we saw Duck Weed thru parts of the canal, when I checked the Slow Dance’s raw water strainers at the Welcome Center, very little of the Duck Weed was ingested into the raw water system.

Cruising’s a chance to catch up with old friends, and relive our younger days when our favorite transportation was our Austin-Healey 3000s

The BIG TUNA in Georgetown, SC

Belfast, ME Harbor Festival

A flea market treasure

Our incredible “dock mate” in Beaufort, SC

Shrimp boat’s acomin’

“Conch Man,” the lockmaster loves conchs — and can actually play them! He was a pleasure to meet, as professional as he was personable.

There are those times the “Admiral” enjoys sitting out on the bow and enjoying the solitude and scenery.

Cruising together from Camden, NC to the Dismal Swamp Canal

When the bridge opens, we’ll pass thru, and on to the lock, meet “Conch Man,” hear a tune, and then pass on thru the lock and end our cruise of the Dismal Swamp Canal.