Five Uber Rides, Repair Done, Off to Elizabeth City

Monday morning started with removing the strainer for the engine. One of the bolts that held the strainer together had corroded over the years and broke. It was time for a new strainer. If anyone has ever removed hoses on a boat, you know what I went through to get it off! Strainer removed and it was off to West Marine in Hampton via Uber for their 9:00 opening. West Marine is great if you love T-shirts and Yeti products. It is increasingly frustrating when you actually need parts!!! The Hampton WM didn't have what I needed but the Virginia Beach store did. Whew! Uber ride number two and three back to the boat.  

New Groco 1250 strainer

The new strainer was a side-mount. Go figure, my drill and bit didn't fit the space between the stringer and engine. Since moving a Cummins 6BT wasn't an option, I needed to use my impact driver. Naturally, I didn't have impact drill bits so it was off to Lowes -- Uber rides four and five for a total of $125.

Strainer installed

Strainer installed, a few other repairs done and the anchor windlass problem work-around complete. It was about 2:30 so we decided to stay put for the night. And, as luck would have it, we were able to go to dinner with Kevin and Nancy! We always have a really fun time with them and enjoyed an awesome dinner at Lobscouser's in Portsmouth.

Good thing we had our "Tilghman Island Tennis Shoes"
to get off our boat last night.

High Street Landing in the morning

We left High Street Landing (free dock) at 7:00. We had to make it to Deep Creek Lock for the 8:30 opening to enter the Great Dismal Swamp. I padded in half an hour in case one of the railroad bridges closed. It did but it happened before we got to it and again after we passed it. Last year we met Robert the Lockmaster who entertained us and had us over for coffee and breakfast for two mornings. Sadly, Robert passed away a couple of months ago. He was a national treasure on the AICW. Sudden deaths like that always make me realize I made the right decision retiring early.

The Great Dismal Swamp was beautiful with leaves changing and unlike last year, no duckweed! We stopped at the Visitor Center for half an hour since we had time before the 1:30 bridge/lock opening at South Mills.

Deep Creek Lock

Inside the lock

Dismal Swamp Visitor Center

Our next challenge was making it to Elizabeth City by 4:00 for the bridge opening. The bridge closes between 4-6pm and 6-8am for rush hour traffic. We made it with five minutes to spare! We tied up at the Elizabeth City Free Wharf and Bulkhead. Like High Street Landing, there are no services but it's free to tie up for 48 hours. Once we tied up, we went to Hoppin' Johnz' for drinks and an appetizer then back to the boat where Sharon made shrimp tacos.