Day 109: Heading to Wilson Lock, Alabama

Day 109: November 4: As usual I woke up while it was still dark. Thank goodness, it was pretty warm; only needed a light sweatshirt to start the day. The marina looked beautiful at daybreak with all of its lights shining, cutting through the dark cove. 


Once past a lock you are on a lake; just like when we passed through the Barkley Lock we were then on the Barkley Lake. Having locked through the Pickwick Lock yesterday, we are now on Pickwick Lake. Leaving our anchorage we headed back onto the lake (the Tennessee runs through it). We had a wonderful day, taking in the sights, enjoying the lovely sunshine and the calm lake shining like diamonds. 





Our goal for the day was to lock through the Wilson Lock, located at Tennessee River Mile 259.4 around Florence, AL and then drop the hook shortly after locking through. We passed the turn that would have taken us to the Tenn-Tom Waterway which connects the Tennessee River at Pickwick Lake with the Tombigbee River at Demopolis, AL. While the water that runs from the Tennessee River to Mobile, AL is referred to as the Tenn-Tom Waterway, the waters from Demopolis to Mobile are called the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway. 

The starboard turn to the Tenn-Tom Waterway

We will eventually take this route but have decided to take a side trip to see the Smoky Mountains. With that in mind we continued on the Tennessee River. David contacted the Wilson Lock; the lockmaster told him that priority would be given to the 4 barges heading north and 1 heading south. We were told we could get through but it would be after dark. This wasn't a good option since once we passed through the lock we would then have to find an anchorage. Searching for one after dark in unfamiliar waters is always a bit tricky so we decided to turn around and find a place out of the channel to drop the hook. With the time change last night we knew it would be getting dark soon so we didn't waste any time finding a spot. Our trusty anchor didn't grab at first attempt so we pulled up and moved closer to an island to the side of the channel. Second time was a charm. 

All around us competitive fishermen were zipping back and forth at great speeds. Obviously they were participating in a freshwater fishing tournament; these are timed competitions so the boats are made for speed; they rush from spot to spot, catch their fish and race back to have it weighed. We were surrounded. 
Luckily the competition must have ended around 4:00 because it seemed as though the commotion stopped exactly at 3:30. 


We had a bit of a dinghy ride over to Zendeavor. But with the promise of David's "famous" meatball stew we braved the long distance. I'm glad we did; it was delicious, made even better because I didn't have to cook. 


Today we traveled 43.9 nautical miles or  50.52 statute miles in 5.52 hours.
 















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