Saturday morning...called the lock, he said "come on over...but if you see a barge, you'll have to wait.".... So, of course, by the time we got there, we saw a barge. Waited ever so patiently for him to lock through...when another appeared behind us....we were thinking bad thoughts about having to wait again....and having to wait all day ...following them up the canal...when the lock master announced that he'd let the pleasure boat (that's us) go next...and oh, this barge and tow are not going far...just up the canal to get fuel and off load.

Woo hoo...it's our lucky day....but first we have to get by them...again, the narrowest, barge crowded, tow boats working area....makes me ever so glad I'm not the boat driver.

 In and out of lock 8...lock master never said a word.

At Lock 9, the guy was all about the weather...we commented on his lovely area ...he said it is usually busy with locals....and how where we were going wasn't the best place to be in high water....he suggested another place...as we exited, I got to drive while Captain considered alternatives. He didn't like what he saw...called the lock master at lock 12 who recommended we turn around and stay on the wall at lock 9... The highest point of the system...and a lovely open rural area.

Hey, we're good with that. Bill, the lock master, has become our new best friend. Offering to take us to town or whatever...but we are good....So 11AM...and here we are ...all alone on the wall at Lock 9... No electric...but descent tie up...and wide open running room for the crazy Dakota...so we'll run him several times today...cause rain is a-coming. They say 3-5 inches...serious downpour tonight and tomorrow....slacking off on Monday. Shouldn't be an issue when you are at the top of the system. Right?