We rose early and traveled at first light toward Guntersville Lock.
Approaching the lock we were informed that a tow and barge were in the lock, so we waited about 40 minutes for the tow to exit, allowing us to take our turn. The lock dropped us 40 feet and we entered Wheeler Lake.
Soon afterward I added two more bald eagles to my count. They even posed for us! Now I have 14 Tennessee River eagles. We are also seeing several large flocks of ducks and white pelicans.
We cruised past Huntsville and Decatur Alabama on our way down Wheeler Lake, leaving the mountains behind. The river widens and care must be taken to stay in the channel as it shallows up quickly.
Approaching the end of Wheeler Lake we pass through Wheeler Lock. The lock master had the gates open for us so we could drive right in. The lock dropped us an additional 52 feet.
Entering Wilson Lake we travel another 6 miles to 6 Mile Creek and anchored amidst some homes and a park. Was glad to stop, was a long day.
Day 170. November 9 Retracing Pickwick Lake and on to the TennTom Waterway. Mile 47 Total Miles 5154
Woke to a cloudy morning and left the anchorage in 6 Mile Creek to be greeted by 6 other Loopers cruising down the Tennessee River.
We joined the group traveling through Wilson Lake so we could lock through Wilson Lock together.
We’re told originally that we could lock at 8:15, but the lock master adjusted it to 9:00 as he had two barges and tows to move through his lock. So we all slowed down and then waited at the lock. Well the wait ended up being one hour and 40 minutes. Oh well, pleasure boats have the lowest priority to lock.
Leaving the lock and going down 92 feet, we enter the Pickwick Lake section of the Tennessee River. We travel past Florence, AL and go through 2/3 of this lake before we turn off the Tennessee and enter the Tombigbee River and waterway. Along the way we disturbed a flock of cormorants and enjoyed the cliffs with their Fall colors.
Some history and some facts about the TennTom Waterway. After many false starts and plans falling through the proposal to build a connection between the Tennessee River with the Tombigbee River the project was finally funded. The waterway allows commercial traffic to bypass 720 miles for vessels going from Knoxville/ Chattanooga to Mobile AL and Pensacola FL. The construction started in 1972 and the project was completed in 1985. The Tenn Tom is 450 miles long and it’s locks drop boaters 341 feet along the way into Mobile Bay.
It began to drizzle before we turned into the TennTom waterway and entered our 19th state - Mississippi. Shortly after entering the waterway, we pulled off into Zippy Creek to anchor for the night. Luckily the drizzle let up enough for us to get our anchor down.
Have to get used to being off Daylight Saving Time and in the Central Time Zone. It was dark by 5:00! Sorry got dark so fast did not have time for pictures.