Deep Creek Lock, Chesepeake, VA.

And that, Ma'am, is called Southern Hospitality. Robert says to me with a touch of a salute as we begin to pull out of Deep Creek Lock.  He is referring to the most delightful past hour we have spent as the water was rising in the lock.  For starters he and his dog met us as we entered the lock, welcomed us to his lock and handily assisted in tying us up, As the lock began to fill, he casually asked if we happened to have a conch shell as a horn. of course Kev and Judith did, so we rummaged around to find it.  Something tells me you can blow one well !   I said, and he modestly offered to blow our conch.  After being treated to an unequalled conch performance , and a demonstration on how to trill on the conch, as well as make it sound at higher and lower pitches, He took out his own conch, and entertained us with his talent. Following our musical entertainment, Robert proceeded to give us a fascinating history of this lock and waterway which dates all the way back to George Washington.  The Dismal Swamp played a key role in the Civil War, as an essential water route.  He directed us to the beautiful free dock we are tied up at tonight, and said he is also the Deep Creek Bridge Master, and the bridge will open at 9:30 in the morning.  He invited us to tie up at the bridge when we get there, come in to have some coffee and Danish, while he does the first lock passage, then he will come to answer any more questions about the area we may have.  By now, he knew I was from Southern California, and as we thanked him, he responded, And that Ma'am, is Southern Hospitality.

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