We’ll do four locks today, starting with the Fulton Lock. We had anchored just upstream of it last night, so we can catch an 0651 opening! The sun had just peeked over the horizon.
The early bird gets the worm, or the fish. This Great Blue Heron was waiting for the lock’s water to empty, so it could nab the fish that were stranded in the lock doors’ wall compartments.
The fog burned off as we exited the lock.
The bass boats are everywhere. We had read that the locks are on a weekend schedule of restricted openings, only every two hours. We had slowed our pace to time the next lock, but learned from the lockmaster that the restrictions were targeting the bass boats. These 16-18 foot recreational fishing boats, out in force on weekends, want to be locked through in search of the next hot spot. Using a 600 X 100 foot lock for raising and lowering them is a big waste of effort and water! We are not covered by this restriction, as we are an “in transit” boat, and are locked through as we need it. We use the magic words “in transit” as we communicate via radio with the lock tenders.
We haven’t seen many sailboats under sail in the waterway, and thought this sailor with his two dogs warranted a photo.
Another lock, another Great Blue Heron, same program!
As the sun started to set, we approached our night’s anchorage, Hairston Creek. It was recommended in Skipper Bob’s Guidebook, with an entrance depth of 6 feet. We found a 4½-foot spot on our way in, gently bumping bottom as we passed into the anchorage! A peaceful, calm night, with no wind and very little current, put us safely on our anchor in 6 feet of water.
We’ll do four locks today, starting with the Fulton Lock. We had anchored just upstream of it last night, so we can catch an 0651 opening! The sun had just peeked over the horizon.
The early bird gets the worm, or the fish. This Great Blue Heron was waiting for the lock’s water to empty, so it could nab the fish that were stranded in the lock doors’ wall compartments.
The fog burned off as we exited the lock.
The bass boats are everywhere. We had read that the locks are on a weekend schedule of restricted openings, only every two hours. We had slowed our pace to time the next lock, but learned from the lockmaster that the restrictions were targeting the bass boats. These 16-18 foot recreational fishing boats, out in force on weekends, want to be locked through in search of the next hot spot. Using a 600 X 100 foot lock for raising and lowering them is a big waste of effort and water! We are not covered by this restriction, as we are an “in transit” boat, and are locked through as we need it. We use the magic words “in transit” as we communicate via radio with the lock tenders.
We haven’t seen many sailboats under sail in the waterway, and thought this sailor with his two dogs warranted a photo.
Another lock, another Great Blue Heron, same program!
As the sun started to set, we approached our night’s anchorage, Hairston Creek. It was recommended in Skipper Bob’s Guidebook, with an entrance depth of 6 feet. We found a 4½-foot spot on our way in, gently bumping bottom as we passed into the anchorage! A peaceful, calm night, with no wind and very little current, put us safely on our anchor in 6 feet of water. 
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