We got up very early, and were under way by a few minutes before 7. There was a light mist rising off the water, but there was a promise of sun in the sky. After Edee's first trip on the bridge with us on Day 2, we were thrilled to find that, as soon as Michael started the engines this morning, our little boat cat was sitting at the door, waiting to be let up onto the bridge for today's adventure. It was cold up there in the early morning, but we took her bed up and she curled up in it,covered by her blanket. What a happy cat!
We hit a fog bank a miles down the river. Off in the distance we could see a solid white mass of cloud, moving onto the river. It reminded us both of those old horror movies they used to show on late night TV. There wasn't much we could do but slow down, turn on the navigation lights and hope that we didn't meet anyone coming towards us. After a few miles, it disappeared just as quickly as it came. It stayed overcast for most of the day, depriving us of the greenhouse effect that normally happens up on the bridge. So we layered up, wore our gloves and kept reminding ourselves that we're Canadian - we can handle the cold!
All along the river we saw flocks of American White Pelicans, flying in formation, and in almost perfect unison. They look very much like the brown pelicans we are used to seeing in Florida, but prettier - although that's not hard to accomplish!
By noon we were at Joe Wheeler Lock and Dam,which drops about 48 feet. After a short wait, we made the trip down - no company today. It was too early to stop for the day so we pushed on towards Florence/Muscle Shoals. Wilson Lock and Dam guards the way to Florence, and again we were on our own. This lock drops about 91 feet - a long way down from the top. The entry gates to this lock don't swing open like doors, they actually drop below the surface of the water at the top end!
We arrived at Florence Harbour Marina at about 3 pm, to find that the office is closed on Mondays, and there are no marina staff here. We phoned the published number, and the manager told us just to go ahead and tie up, plug in if we want to 'cause the power is always on, and there's a guy in Slip B10 who will take care of us.
The only people we saw when we arrive were on a sailboat that had arrived just ahead of us - they too were looking for the guy in B10, but with no luck. I'm sure someone will show up in the morning. We did find a guy who was working on setting up the new restaurant, and he told us that there was a courtesy car available, then offered to call the manager for us to arrange it. With that done, we headed off to town for a few minor provisions and a nice dinner out.
It's raining now, and we are both very tired after a long day. But we now know that 8 hour days are quite doable, and we can make good progress to warmer climes if we just grin and bear it for a few more days!!
By the way, at the bottom of each posting is a Location link. Click on it, and you will see our position on the map.
Today's miles: 79, to Tennessee River Mile Marker 255
Total miles: 124
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