The Wilson Lock
There's a traffic jam as we approach the Wilson Lock's tail. Just exiting is a tug with fifteen barges. Queued to enter is a tug with four barges.
A Tug Plus 15 barges is Really, Really Big!
At the lock's head is yet another tug. It's taking an hour to cycle the lock so we know it's going to be a long wait.
Wall of Shame
After telling us that we're number three in line, the lock master gives us permission to tie to the wall. It's better than having to anchor but we still think of it as the wall of shame ;-)
Inside the 94 Foot Wilson Lock
Three hours later we get the green light and single horn toot signifying that we're cleared to enter the lock. At 94 feet, Wilson Lock's lift is the largest east of the Mississippi and the third largest in the US.
Bicki on Wheeler's Wall of Shame
Only 14 miles past Wilson Lock we run into another roadblock, Wheeler Lock. Here too there's a backup. By some miracle Nellie's moved to the top of the queue and we only wait 55 minutes on the wall of shame.
It took eight hours to go 20 miles today. Ouch, that averages to 2-1/2 miles/hour! The good news is we're now relaxing in a great anchorage in Wheeler State Park, Alabama. Our total for the trip is now 1799 miles. DBH
