November 4, 2011

We are taking our time this morning.  The Wheeler lock is just around the corner from where we anchored.  I drove us out of the cove and into the lock.  Jerry handled the lines.  This is only my 2nd time locking through and it was not great but we made it. 

Not really obvious, but it is me driving the boat.

We headed out across Wilson Lake towards the next lock. 
Wilson lock is a 98 ft drop to Pickwick Lake.

  My 3rd attempt and it was darn near perfect.  Capt Jerry

was impressed.  Me too!

The deck hand in the lock.

There were 6 boats in the Wilson Lock.  We were in and secure at 10:50.  The lock master received a request to hold the lock for a couple of other boats.  We waited and waited.  Finally they showed up.  The water emptied out and the gates started to open.  Then closed again.  Then opened a little, then closed.  The lock master radioed that there was a problem and he was sending a crew to check it out.  About noon, he opened one of the doors to let us out.  It was kind of creepy in the bottom of this lock with the doors being jammed.  It was 12:20 before we were underway again. 

Easy cruising after the two locks today.  Made it to Aqua Yacht Harbor Marina at mile 215.  We are finally at the beginning of the Tenn-Tom. This is where the Tennessee River and the Tenn-Tom meet.  Plan to hang out here, reprovision, fix some stuff and just chill for a few days.

At Aqua Harbor, this salty looking guy helped us tie up.  Kelly is a livaboard here.  He told Jerry he could hook up cable so he could watch the O'Reilly Factor.  Jerry said he didn't watch him and Kelly said something like "oh, you one of those liberals?"  In spite of this, Kelly was still a nice guy.

Tried to scrub the deck to get the mud and crap off from anchoring out.  The mud stained the deck and nothing seems to work to get it off.  So gave up and left for another day.

Went to dinner at the marina restaurant.  Food was ok, apple dumpling was excellent.