'23/#18 Part II

 In the past I have said that sometimes there just isn't much to blog about. That is when I vanish from the blogging world. Then things get interesting and I'm back. So now that we have caught up with the boring stuff that is part of everyone's lifestyle, even on the road, let's get back to the adventure.

The other day we planned to head up to Sault St Marie and check out the locks connecting Lake Superior and Lake Huron. Coincidentally a young couple, April and Kait, said they were going also and would we like to spend the day together. Boat tickets were bought on line and we all met at the dock the next morning. 

Most of the passengers went to the front of the tour boat but we migrated to the stern and had the whole area to ourselves. We were introduced to their friend Luke and the tour began. This was one of those days where everything was just perfect. The weather we ideal, the company was outstanding, and even when lock traffic forced us out of line for through passage all that happened was the tour was extended and we go to see more of the whole US/Canadian lock system. We had a rare sighting of the railroad bridge lowering over the lock. No train, just a work truck but still pretty cool.

The locks raise and lower boats of up to 1000' the 25' difference between lake Superior and Lake Huron. This helped create a shipping channel from Duluth Minnesta all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. While we passed through the locks there was a 1000' freighter in the next lock over. 

After the boat ride we walked into town and had a great lunch at Zorbas Greek restaurant. The whole time we are talking and sharing and laughing like a group of old friends. We walked back to the dock and took a walking tour on the Museum Ship Valley Camp. The Valley Camp is 550' long so was about half the size of the largest freighters on the Great Lakes and still it was huge. We learned about life on the ships of the Lakes and of the the ships and sailors that perished on the Lakes. The Edmund Fitzgerald may be the most famous of the many wrecks in the Great Lakes and was also featured in the museum. 

We parted ways with our friends at that point to do some grocery shopping in Sault St Marie before heading home. Good weather, great exploring, new experiences, and great friends with whom to share it all. Who could ask for a better day?

Today we get back to work and start making plans for next week? So I will sign off from our home in St Ignace because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary