We got the Notice to Mariners that the locks were re-opened and we were free to move with a special warning to beware of excess debris caused by the flooding. We left the dock along with two trawlers headed for Lock 13. Ken stood at the bow and called out directions to avoid debris. The water was like a minefield littered with logs, limbs, assorted flotsam and jetsam in our path threatening to damage the prop or be sucked into the intake. As we approached, the lockmaster warned of strong currents and a big tree but he was getting the lock ready. All obstructions avoided, we were again underway.
All along the canal, stray debris was in evidence as but Lock 17 was particularly hairy. There was debris at the entrance but minimal. It is the only lift opening in our route and a 40’ lock. The water swirled as it rushed in creating a strong current making keeping the boat steady along the wall challenging. The water seemed to come in torrents. We finally reached the top and the doors were opened. Then at the top, there was also the wind. We pushed off but the lock did not want to loosen its grip on us, the current now pressing us to the very wall we struggled to cling to minutes before. We continued to be pushed to port and roll along our fenders until at the mouth the Captain freed us from her grip.
Thankfully, that nasty lock marked the end of our long day and a dock awaited us at Little Falls. Little Falls provided a pleasant respite with floating docks with power and water, washrooms and showers and a nice sitting room with a TV (what’s that?) and a substantial sharing library (I will definitely have to check that out!).
All day long I had been plagued by a headache and it worsened until it put me down for the count. I crawled into bed about 6:30pm, leaving Ken to prepare the pasta with the sauce I had cooked earlier and eat without me. (Ken cooked and I missed a meal…you know I had to be feeling really awful!)