We have to get back to the boat fairly swiftly so left in the morning to head south. First stop was The Dismal Swamp an area just south of the Virgnia state border. Although an apparently inhospitable place to live, there is evidence of humans having lived there for 12,000 years.

The swamp is also home to much wildlife until the logging, construction of a canal and then train track since the 1800s. Now though it is a wildlife reserve and one of the most important refuges for the Black Bear on the East Coast.

The canal was particularly interesting as it had an important role in the ‘Underground Railroad’ – part of a network of people who helped slaves escape from the south via ships heading north from ports near to the Dismal Swamp. Many lived in ‘maroon colonies’ deep within the swamps forests until they could get north.  Today it looks like a peaceful tourist attraction but many slaves died in its construction or were severely punished if caught trying to escape to freedom.

A very interesting place, and not at all dismal, although if it had been mosquito season it would have been a very different experience! We spent the night in Elizabeth City in a proper American motel complete with pool in the centre. Cheap and fun for tourists passing through.