Day 4

Its early morning on day 4 and the water conditions are still glass smooth. As we rounded the first bend this was the view.

The banks of the river in this area were very interesting. The white rock that is exposed off at a different view.

Very interesting geology and a real change from the normal brown dirt and sand that has so far dominated the landscape.

Long straight  stretches have dominated our trip.

This is the approach to the Howell Heflin lock and dam.

Once inside we prepare to lock up. There is a total elevation change from Mobile to the Tennessee River on the Tenn-Tom of over 300 feet. Our uphill climb is facilitated by the locks raising us up level by level until we reach the elevation of the Tennessee River.

Here we have a different kind of spectator.

This is the concrete channel the Floating Bollards ride in as the water rises in the lock.

The water is rising.

The lock chamber here has been filled with water and the floating Bollards that we tie to have floated to the top of the channel.

Once the doors are open we will move it out of the lock chamber.

As we look behind as you can see the elevation change between the lower pool blow the lock and the upper pool level we've now obtained.

Viv is getting ready to cast off.

Look at all the George Bush barbed wire. A big part of the overreaction to 911 was the ordering of the Barbed Wire installed around all the locks in the US. Families were once able to enjoy watching the commercial and recreational traffic lock through with a great view. Now the locks are gated and Barbed wired to prevent public access. To us it makes no sense. If you wanted to destroy the lock you would simply load a boat with explosives and move it into position. Then just climb off and let her blow.

Once we lock up given that the dam forms a lake view spreads out and the water seems to go forever.

We still have many miles of straight channels to navigate as we head north

This area looks a lot like Berkeley Lake at home.

We may move slow but we are still faster than the up bound commercial tows.

Starting to see signs of civilization.

Layers and layers of sand are abundant here.

An investment is being made here in renewable energy via corn-based ethanol.

we are again seeing some interesting geology cut by the river.

And the turkey vultures are enjoying a day at the beach.

Straighten and smooth.

Capt. Vivian is quite comfortable piloting the boat.

Here you can see the lock entrance in the foreground and the actual dam to left in the rear.

Unfortunately none of the locks we've seen to date show any evidence of harvesting hydroelectric power from the river, what a waste.

As we wait on the downstream side you can clearly see the difference in elevation. This towboat has moved into position to being lowered down to our level.

You have to be aware of where the water is discharged from the lock as it lowers the water level to stay away from the turbulence.

The towboat that was up is now down our level.

And we move into position to lock up.

Once we moved out of lock chamber there was a display of a snag boat used to remove large trees from the rivers of the past.

If we would've had a dinghy this would've been a good place to stop and explore.

Another lock is now behind us as we move upstream.

A great cabin with a great view.

As our day comes to a close we are joined with some pleasure boaters enjoying the smooth water.