After a nice relaxing 2-night stay at anchor, we have entered a more rural setting again. We don't see a lot of tows anymore, but there are lots of reminders that they are active or were active in this area. It fascinates me how they load and unload these carriers of various goods.
The round "bumpers" are called "cells. The barges are tied to these and the liquid merchandise is run downhill in the pipes to the barge.
We're getting out of the lowlands and see more hills and cliffs.
The fishermen are active here too.
What did I just say about not many tows here? They just had to call my bluff. And he's a biggie!
When we rounded a bend we caught sight of the biggest lock we've yet seen. Peterborough Lift Lock in Canada is 65 feet. Wilson Lock is 97 feet!!! It felt like looking at the doors to Jurassic Park. It's hard to tell the height in a picture so notice the size of the truck going over the bridge above the lock.
These jet ski riders had hoped to witness the doors of the behemoth lock open but weren't willing to wait the 30 minutes before the event was expected to happen. The lock master allowed us to tie to the long tow wall before the lock to wait (we only had to wait 45 minutes - not bad!)
It's a LONGGGGG way up (each concrete panel is five feet high)!
The pretty waterfall coming through the gate.
As tall as this lock is, it only took 15 minutes to fill! It took almost that long to close the gates! We have never seen the water boil in the lock as the water rushed in, yet it was quite a smooth ride.
The fish were jumping like crazy but this guy must be super picky because he never dove for one.
I couldn't imagine having a barge dock outside my door - but these people must have built their home after the dock had been built. I guess it's a conversation starter.
They do have an exquisite water feature running down the side of their property, right to the lake.
A beautiful home - just 'cause I liked it.
This local boat tied up on the wall behind us to join in the wait. There were no bollards (the big round things on the top of the wall) within reach (there are often bollards in niches on the wall) so we had to tie to the ladders instead.
The biggest sight on Guntersville Lake was Brown Ferry Nuclear Plant. The place is HUGE! (This is only a piece of it.)
There were strange platforms floating in the lake next to the plant. Not sure what they were for.
Just passed the plant is a railroad lift bridge. Brought back memories of Chicago. This one opened right after we got here - Whew!!!
We anchored in a largish bay called Point Mallard. It was a very long approach through a very windy channel marked with lots of buoys. It got so shallow we finally turned around and backtracked about half way and anchored at the edge of a wider spot in the channel - in 6 feet of water! Several fishing boats passed by us, but no one seemed upset that we were in the channel. There was still room for them to get by safely. It was a quiet night :)
As we head out in the morning, we see the terrain begin to change. More hills and rocky bluffs.
As we head out in the morning, we see the terrain begin to change. More hills and rocky bluffs.
Notice the little "mini caves" at the waterline.
Our first "wall" along this route.
A spectacular cliff face.
This was a surprise - cotton growing on the bank?
As we approached Guntersville dam, there was a small go fast boat waiting. We didn't have to wait long at all before going in.
Along with the two boats, this butterfly decided she needed a lift up as well! She stayed with us nearly the whole way up, just flying up a little higher each time the water rose.
As we enter Guntersville Lake civilization once again appears. We could not see any houses that belong to these boat houses - either they are in the woods or they are vacation homes for their boats!
This beautiful boat house is nearly bigger than our house was in Bellingham!
They must have multiple boats!
As we neared Guntersville, we saw sailboats under sail for the first time since Lake Michigan. I love the go fast bassboat in contrast to the gentle sails.
Our marina for the night. Lovely place that is home to several Loopers! Didn't meet any of them though. We borrowed the free loaner car and did our grocery shopping and had a wonderful hamburger and milk shake for dinner, then used the car again in the morning to go to church!! A wonderful visit all the way around.
Anchored in Carter Branch, Wilson Lake, Alabama - 9/28
Anchored in Point Mallard, Wheeler Lake, Alabama - 9/29
Docked at Alred Marina, Guntersville, Alabama - 9/30
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