Sunday morning, and we're up early. We have Automatic Identification System (AIS) on the boat. It's required for all commercial vessels. They have a transceiver so others can see where they are, their speed, and course. It's a great little navigational tool. Jerry checked the AIS this morning and saw a tow close by. He called the Wilson lock which was just about a mile upstream. The lock master said if we could get there soon he'd have the lock ready. We jumped up, got dressed and were underway in no time.
The Wilson Lock is a 94' lift. This is the highest single lift lock east of the Rocky Mountains. We go in slow with fenders across the side of the boat that will go against the lock wall. We tend to favor the port side of the boat for some reason. Once the Capt determines the floating bollard that we will tie to, there are usually 5-7 along each side wall, the deck hand grabs the bollard with a line and pulls the boat close to the wall. This boat is a handful. I usually get us close then Jerry comes down from the bridge to help pull us closer in. We tie the line to the cleat mid-ship and ride up.
In the lock, the water is just boiling around us
This is a shot from the bow of our boat looking back toward the sundeck.
Looking forward you see the lock gate that looks like a fence. This is a guillotine type gate. Most that we've seen before are like french doors. This one disappears down under the water. Watch...
And it's gone. The lock master sounds a horn when it's safe to move out of the lock.
Eating breakfast after going through the lock. It's sunny, but chilly even with the isinglass zipped. I dress in layers. It does warm up though on the bridge. 
We make it to Joe Wheeler State Park Marina. The location of the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association (AGLCA) Fall Rendezvous. We'll hang out here for a few days.
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