Day's log for Saturday, September 15th, 2001 - Beech Branch, Pickwick Lake, AL

0945 - got underway at Beech Branch

0947 - ran aground. Dang!

0948 - I put the rudder hard over and applied full power and got free.

1010 - passing Riverton Island, mile 226.6

1021 - passing 227.8

1038 - passing 229.8

1050 - passing 229.8. There were three islands at the mouth of the creek, one with trees.

1117 - passing 234.0

1130 - cell phone coverage started

1142 - elevation 411 at Natchez Trace Parkway

1205 - passed 238.9

1229 - passed Smithsonia Light 241.4

1242 - high cliff on south bank

1335 - passed 248.2

1403 - passed 251.0

1429 - passed 253.6

1500 - hailed Wilson lock & dam

1641 - completed lockage. I had looked at the diagram of the lock in the Tombigbee River Chart. This lock has an upper gate that lowers into the water as opposed to two doors swinging aside. In this case there is no way to tell that the gate is all the way down. You must rely on the lockmaster signal before proceeding.

1835 - passed 272.3

1835 - caves at about 272.4 north bank. There were houses above.

1845 - hailed Wheeler lock. While waiting I saw where the lock was drained. There was a mound of water about 10 feet high violently spewing forth.

1935 - finished lockage

1946 - dropped anchor in Second Creek - mile 275.2

2000 - 2045 dinghied over to barges with trailers, motorhomes, and tents. Finally we went aboard the tugboat and asked the crew if we were in the way. We were not.