First campsite and Alma Lock

Our first day on the river was so exciting and pretty quiet at the same time. The clouds moved in, the rain began. We motored a little, and decided to go into a little cove to wait the rain. These images are from our first day/morning on the river. Coffee never tasted so good, looking down the Mississippi River!

The ring beaked gulls kept us company all day, waiting for us to throw overboard something to eat. They have more hope than any other creatures on earth!
 
 
 
 

Our first lock, upriver, at Alma, WI. We radioed to ask permission to enter the lock, and they didn't laugh! I took these pictures from the boat, watching the lower lock open, and the upper lock open when we had risen 7 feet. The clouds blew away, the sun appeared the exact moment the upper gates opened, and we headed upriver.
 
 

When a boat enters the lock, they ask that we go to the land-side of the lock, and the lockhands throw us a rope. Keeps the boat stable during the raise/lower process. This is a shallow lock, only seven feet, so it only takes a few minutes.