October 21, 2011

October 21st

Off to Wheeler Lock and we were to follow Erika Lyn.  Once Ken pulled out we discovered the
forward shifter was reverse and the reverse shifter was moving forward!!!  The boat had been reassembled incorrectly.  We pulled back into the slip and Loop Dreams was hoisted up for repairs.
Jeff, with J's Landing, knew what to do and less than 40 minutes we were off again. The crew at J's landing was very helpful.
Heading down the Tennessee River and listening to the chatter on the radio...some boaters were reporting the dead heads floating in the river.  We called the lock master and he said if we hurried he would wait for us to lock up with 7 other boats.  We pushed Loop Dreams hard and pulled into the lock.  Now the fun begins.
I was able to lasso the bollard, which was high, and secure the boat next to the wall.  We were locking up, water was filling up in the chamber and our boat was going up, up, up!  Smooth sailing.  I was so excited, off to a great start!

We pulled into Joe Wheeler early afternoon for the Rendezvous which starts Sunday night. We had planned to buddy boat with Bob and Lynda, but our boat repair put us behind so our first day out was solo.  Our first lock and it went smooth!  I could not sleep the night before because I was worrying about the lock.

Joe Wheeler Lock.  Our first of 150 locks on the trip!

                                            

Going Up!  Ken keeping the boat off of the wall.

                               
                                                                          

                                 
Boats leaving Joe Wheeler Lock.  We are on our way to the AGLCA Rendezvous!  Did OK on the first lock, come to find out we need a center cleat.