Called Wheeler Lock before leaving the anchorage. We tied on the Aux Lock long wall while the tow Ms Rita entered. We followed, taking the gap on her port to the front of the lock. As we left we passed a flock of looper boats heading to the Rendezvous. Wilson Lake has choppy, 1-2 on the nose for a while, with white caps. We tied to the Wilson Lock Aux lock wall and spent hours watching a tow get their second set into the chamber. Lots of time wasted with what seemed like ineffective deckhand work. Then 2 pleasure craft up. We got a ride down in the dark, turned the corner, and tied onto the lower wall for the night.