Lake Drummond is a shallow freshwater lake that covers over 3,000 acres in the middle of the Dismal Swamp. Curiously, it is the highest point in the swamp and boats going into the lake have to lifted over the rim of the lake. We launched the inflatable in the Dismal Swamp Canal with the intention of entering the Feeder Ditch and following it to Lake Drummond. This was our first trip in the boat this year and we had technical difficulties about halfway up the Feeder Ditch that forced us to turn back before we reached the lake.
The Feeder Ditch is bounded by high banks. We expected to be surrounded by marshland, but when we stopped and climbed up the bank, we found a one lane dirt road running parallel to the ditch and open farmland beyond.
The water here is stained a deep brown by the high concentrations of tannins, and the reflections are most vivid. In places the reflections and the foliage on the bank merge into an almost abstract pattern of light and shadow.
The Dismal has an other worldly look and feel. It scares the bejeebers out of me! Those photos would look great printed large.
ReplyDeleteRobert, interesting reaction. I found the place to be calm and peaceful, not scary at all. Not sure I would want to be there alone at night though.
ReplyDeleteYou might be interested to know, though, that you CAN stay overnight in the Swamp if you wanted to. There's permit-controlled campground at the lock that lifts boats entering the lake from the ditch.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that there was a campground there. I'll keep that in mind--we plan to return and complete the trip to Lake Drummond later this spring. Thanks
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