22 Oct 17

The Wilson Lock is 3 miles upstream from Florence Harbor Marina, but because they are working on it during the period 06:00 to 18:00 everyday, we had to be away from the dock by 05:00 to catch the last lock-through of the day (this made for a short night after last night’s ball game). They had the lock gates open for us when we arrived there at 05:30, so we went straight in along with “Islandia” and “Necessity”, which had arrived before we got there. This is the tallest lock on the entire Great Loop (actually, it is technically on the Loop, but nearly everyone goes through it to get to Joe Wheeler State Park, where the annual Fall Loopers Rendezvous takes place: 16 - 19 Oct this year). It took 45 minutes to lift us 97 feet up to Wilson Lake. About 30 minutes after we left the lock, “Islandia” called on the radio and reported a fire alarm in their engine compartment. We pulled alongside to offer assistance, but they soon realized it was not a fire but a problem with the cooling system on their port engine generating lots of steam. They shut down the port engine and plodded along the rest of the way on the starboard engine alone. We stayed back with them and got to Wheeler Lock (57 foot lift) at 08:33. Once again, we were straight into the lock and away by 08:50. While we were idling in the lock, I started looking around for an unusual low-pitched humming sound that I could hear; finally isolated it as the ventilation blower for the engine room - I suspect that the bearings are going on this motor/fan, so will need to order a replacement soon. As they opened the upper lock gates, we realized that Wheeler Lake was rough, as the result of consistent SE 15 - 20 knot winds and 20 miles of fetch. It was like being at sea; lots of spray and green water over the bow - but it is all fresh water, so no big deal. We were happy to make it into Joe Wheeler State Park marina, where we tied up at 09:20 and immediately went down for a nap. After lunch, we just hung out, did laundry and boat chores and offered moral support to “Islandia”; the root cause of their problem turned out to be a failed water pump impeller. They appear to be back in business again. Early night.

34-48.754’N, 087-19.960’W; Log = 19.1, Sum (2017) = 2918.7 N-m 

23 Oct 17

The front came through during the night; the wind piped up and we got a bit of rain, which persisted into the late morning. Diane came over about 10:30 and said that a looper buddy of theirs had loaned them a car and they were going to drive to Huntsville to see the Space Museum and invited us along. So, we decided to leave the boat here for an extra day and go to Huntsville. We had a great time seeing all the exhibits, taking in an IMAX movie and doing the 3G centrifuge and the Rapid Acceleration ride; a good time was had by all. On the way back to Joe Wheeler, we stopped in Athens for barbecue, and were back on the boat by 19:30. Another early night.