Oct 15 Florence AL to Decatur, AL

Oct 15


We were planning for a little later departure today but saw another boat leaving the docks at first light (7 AM) and listened in on their conversation with the Wilson lockmaster who mentioned shutting down the lock after they went through for the day for maintenance.   So we made a speedy departure along with another looper boat and thankfully the lockmaster was kind enough to wait for our arrival before closing the gates.

Getting ready for our speedy predawn departure

 The Wilson lock chamber is not the biggest we’ve been in – the ones on the Mississippi were bigger, but this one has the highest lift at 97’ which really makes you feel insignificant when at the bottom and looking up.  

Entering Wilson lock.  That's a 50' trawler tucked on the right wall

  We crossed 15 miles on Wilson Lake and then had the Wheeler lock waiting for us with open doors.  By 10:30 we were done with locks for the day and were cruising at an overall elevation some 556’ above sea level across Wheeler Lake. 

Wheeler lock with it's 57' lift  wasn't quite as formidable

 Scenery is mixed.  Some natural areas, some residential development, and some commercial and industrial.  Even passed right alongside the  TVA’s Browns Ferry Nuclear plant. One weird sight along the way was what looked like a marshy island from afar, but as we got closer it was a huge flock of cormorants floating together.  We passed  near enough to disturb the entire flock and send them flying off to regroup again.

Flock of cormorants taking flight

With the day off to a good start we checked out our anchoring options and ETA’s and decided rather than anchoring we would head for Decatur,AL and the free dock at Ingramm Landing .    We arrived around 2 PM and had the entire place to ourselves. Got tied up just in time as a quick rain downpour pass by.  Drawback here is no power, no water, no wifi. But it’s free with newer and secure docks. With rain and shifting stronger winds expected overnight it still makes a better choice than anchoring.  Easy Lyft ride into downtown for a craft beer sampler and dinner at The Railyard.  It also sets us up for a fairly short day tomorrow to Ditto Landing Marina in SW Huntsville.

Journey for Oct 15