LOCK-UP, LOCK-DOWN

LINKING TO THAT'S MY WORLD AND WATERY WEDNESDAY. 

Going through river locks was the most adventurous part of our cross-Florida boat trip last week.

There are three locks to go through on the Caloosahatchie and two on the St Lucie.  The locks control the depth of the Lake and allow water to flow into the two rivers.   These are our friends' two boats waiting for the lock to open.  Our boat is very similar to the one in front. 

 The boater radios the dockmaster who tells you which side -- port or starboard -- you will tie up to. Below are some people watching us from above as we lock up.   You can see the lines along the walls.

 

All five of these locks have lines hanging down to grab hold of.  Our friends said that on the Great Lakes, where they boat in the summer, you have to bring your own. 

 

It can be a little bit scary to bring the boat alongside the wall, especially if the wind is blowing and you have been assigned the side where the wind is blowing the "wrong way".   Usually we both just stand and hold on to a line in the front and back (fore and aft) of the boat.  But a couple of times  the wind was blowing fairly hard and the lockmaster said "someone" had to climb out on the bow and cleat the line (wrap the line around a cleat and take in or let out the slack).  The picture above is the "someone" who did that on our boat.  (I was just hoping that it wasn't the last picture I ever took of Bill.) 

Our boat does not have a walkaround on the outside, so this was not an easy thing at all when next to the lock wall.  (The picture's not great because I was holding on to the other line with one shaky hand while I took it with the other, but in front you can also see the water gushing in.)

The only other thing we had to worry about was that a couple of the locks are on an every-other hour schedule. It's a way to control the flow of water and limit the number of times it opens.  Through careful planning, we got to those locks in good time -- not too early, but we weren't worried about being late either. 

The only unplanned slowdown we had was at this railroad bridge just out of Stewart on our way back. 

Trains always have the right-of-way and we had to wait for two of them to go by before the bridge opened.  (The blue boat is just another of the several that were milling around waiting.)

 

 

Comments

[sandie czosek]

My goodness you really seem professional there - how in the world did you learn to do all that and find these places? That STILL amazes me. sandie

[Clair Z.]

Always a fascinating subject. I remember standing (on land) and watching lock operation at the Lake Washington Ship Canal. You are very brave!

[Margot]

Wow, that was just plain scary and I'm only looking at the picture. Sounds like you had quite the adventure.

[J Bar]

Terrific collection of shots.

[gengen]

Patience is a virtue to wait for the locks...happy WW!

[Genie Robinson]

Sallie....I grew up on Lake Worth in Palm Beach, Florida, and saw all the boats that would come down the inland waterway for the winters. I cannot imagine being so lucky at to sail all the way from the Gulf Coast....how exciting. There are no locks around the Palm Beach area so these photos are all a new experience for me. I am glad your husband survived that lock experience and that you didn’t drop the camera. You were definitely a strong woman on a mission that day!!! Your shots are great and you really pull the viewer into your fabulous experience through the photographs and your commentary.

[Lesley]

I have watched the locks and often think about how much patience is needed for the boaters waiting...

[jeannette StG]

Eek, am glad you were in charge of the boat! You did well!

[karen]

visiting from My World...lovely shots...followed you, hope you'll follow me back..

mine's here:
http://kc2009.blogspot.com/2011/03/mag-aso-getaway.html

[dianne]

I didn't realize it was such an involved process
I thought it was gates open and boats go thru!
shows you how much I sail ;)
this was so interesting to read

[Sondra]

Excitment--awesome--So did you guys tie up and find campgrounds or motels or stay on your boats overnight? Enjoying these posts so MUCH!!

[Jenn]

Looks like an adventure indeed. Glad all went well.

[Hazel]

You always manage the detailed shots! The locks seem far wider and deeper than some of our canal locks!

[Luna Miranda]

locks are quite fascinating. what a wonderful boat trip.

[Marilyn]

What an experience, I have never done anything like this. It sounds wonderful but scary at the same time. I enjoyed seeing all of your photos.

[Arti]

Looks like a lot of fun... The strong wind can be a deterrent as you rightly pointed out but the overall thrill of a boat ride is unmatched... I have undertaken a lot of boat rides but never seen the bridge opening to see a boat pass!!
Have a great week Sallie:)

[Joyful]

I've never been through locks like this. sounds like quite the thing.

[Rajesh]

Wonderful images and narration. This sure is inteteresting and adventurous experience.

[Lady Fi]

Fascinating experience - if a little tricky.

[Barb]

My husband had a boat on the Chesapeake for years, and I was part of his "crew." I was never quite comfortable in the situations you describe. Glad nobody went overboard!

[Eileen]

Wow, I am not sure if I could do that. I feel uneasy just looking over the side of a cruise ship. LOL! Fantastic shots of the locks.

[Francisca]

Sallie... even your moments of adventure sound like a natural part of your boating experience. I suspect you'd find it boring if it was only a smooth float all the time. ;-) Thanks for sharing your world!

[Pam]

We have been to the St. Lucie lock in the first photo. But only topside watching the boats go through.. it was fun to watch the water level rising.

Sallie, Stuart is about 35 miles.
Be Well and Happy,
Pam

[Ebie]

I would have that scary experience too, unless there is a big room for the boat to pass through. But the weather looks so beautiful to be out in the waters!

[Ewok]

always boating weather out there eh?

[Sylvia Kirkwood]

Looks like a "hold your breath" moment/minutes to me!! Glad you got through safe and sound! Terrific captures! Does look like a beautiful day to be on the water! Have a great week, Sallie!

Sylvia