Days 81 & 82 – Florence Harbor Marina to Joe Wheeler State Park - September 25-26, 2011

We had a short travel day today, but we locked through the largest lock (from a vertical lift perspective) we will go through this entire trip.  Just two miles after leaving Florence Harbor Marina we arrived at the Wilson Lock and Dam.  The lock chamber itself is quite large – 600’ long by 110’ wide.  The largest lock part however comes from the fact that it lifts (or lowers) boats 93’ from Pickwick Lake to Wilson Lake.  After a quick trip across Wilson Lake, we arrive at Joe Wheeler Lock and Dam.  Joe Wheeler’s lock chamber is the same size as Wilson’s, but the lift on Joe Wheeler is only 48’.  We got through both of these locks very easily with virtually no waiting.  A few miles after the Wheeler Lock, we arrive at Joe Wheeler State Park.  This is the location of our AGLCA Rendezvous in late October.  Between now and then, we plan to travel as much of the Tennessee River as we can.

We spent a second relaxing day at Joe Wheeler State Park and caught up on some reading, some boating cleaning and some laundry.
            Miles: 20.8      Bridges: 4        Locks: 2

Wilson Lock - raising us 93' from Pickwick Lake to Wilson Lake

turbulent water inside Wilson Lock

a Great Blue Heron watches us lock through Wilson Lock

pleasure boats exiting Joe Wheeler Lock, just before we head in
to be locked up to Wheel Lake

Wheeler Lock filled with water - gates are about to open so we can exit

beautiful rock formations in Wheeler Lake