Have I mentioned there would be ships on this tour?

This is the retired ship Valley Camp

 ->

This has been a fantastic day.  It started out dreary misty fog and threatened to be a bad day.  We got up early and took a few pictures from the beach at our cottage and then set off to the Soo Locks.  We arrived too early for the boat tour so we were extraordinarily lucky to have the opportunity to watch some ships go through the locks.  I suppose it would have been nice to just see one go through.  We saw a barge in the distance lining up for the trip through the locks and then Troy saw the Ojibway making its way ahead of the barge.  I tell you, I was bouncing with joy.  It was pure joy.  I took dozens of pictures.  Then, if it was not enough that I was so fortunate to have this treat, I turned my head and there was another ship coming through the locks from the opposite direction.  This was not just any ship either.  It was the Arthur M. Anderson.  This is the ship that went back looking for the Edmund Fitzgerald when it sank in 1975.  We felt like we hit the jackpot with this treat.  They were both going through at once in opposite directions.  I ran my battery down on the camera and had to go back to the car and get another one during the process.  I missed some of it because it does happen more quickly than I realized.  It is only about 15 minutes for the ships to go through the locks once they are inside and wouldn't you know that I would kill my camera just as they were both inside.  Well, it was fine in the end because I did manage to get 370 pictures today.

When we finished at the locks we made our way to Whitefish point for the night and we have seen a couple more ships here as well.  They are harder to see here though.  It is much farther away from the beach.  Doesn't matter that they are so far, they are still very fascinating.

For my mother: I want you to know that I went into Lake Superior just for you to find you very cool rocks to bring home.  It was very cold and my feet turned very red while I searched for the rocks for you.  You will love them.  They are superb!


For Kelly:  I drove across the bridge again today.  It was much better without the rain!


For tomorrow we are not exactly sure - it is heading south without a plan.  You have to wait and see. :)