Day Nine - Outrunning the storm

We left Pickwick right at sunrise. Cloudy and overcast with a slight drizzle. After a few anxious moments we sorted out the bouys (OK - Deb did) and got on the Tennessee. After making only 50 miles yesterday and Deb wanting to be in Knoxville Thursday night for her grandchild's birthday party, we hit it hard. We drove about 17 MPH for a couple of hours and then the rain caught us. Deb ran the radar and I drove. Passed a few commercial vessels headed in both directions and ran with all the canvas down with little visibility. The radar was fantastic. Got up to the lock system at Wilson Lock and dam. Took great pics - the small lock was a two step while the big one was 100' lift. Awesome. Then just 15 miles later we locked again at Wheeler. Just a couple of miles later we stoped for fuel at Wheeler State Resort. This is run by the state of Al. Well worth coming back. SUper place and people. The marina was closed but there was a phone number to call for help and the lady who helped us fuel was great. 35 miles more and we're up a little unused canal off the river at about 321.