Tuesday, June 23, 2009

UP Roadtrip


I am on a cross Upper Peninsula trip to accompany a friend who is calling on college bookstores. We started in Bay Mills on Monday and I even saw a boat there. But couldn't identify it. After hiking around Pictured Rocks, we arrived in Marquette last night.

This is the old ore dock. They discontinued using it in the 1970's. There is a great park and pier there and we have a lovely dinner nearby on a patio overlooking this area.


This is the 'new' ore dock. I called and there isn't a ship expected until Thursday when the Beeghley arrives around 3 PM. So it should be in the Soo tomorrow.

I'm sure experienced boat watchers know all about Marquette but this was my first visit to the waterfront there.

It was very hot in Marqutte yesterday and today but the city is full of parks and lovely sights.


I am sorry that I won't be able to attend the Boatnerd Picnic on Thursday afternoon at Mission Point but we hope to be back for Engineer's Day at the Locks on Friday.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like fun!!! It is hot every place!!! But the photos of the water look cool and inviting.


Hope you have a wonderful time, and you need to explain to "us others" what the heck a boatnerd picnic is??!! ()or whatever you refered to it as)

Soo Boat Watcher said...

Thanks Cathy. A boatnerd is someone who loves to watch the boats where ever they are. They even have a website boatnerd.com.

I heard of them the first summer we had our cabin in 1999. They had a river cruise on a Locks tour boat that year. Now they have a picnic which is Thursday afternoon in the Soo.

Bill K. said...

Just wanted to check in and let you know that it is hot...hot...hot...87 last I looked.
Just got back from my daily ice cream run...lol..saw the Burns Harbor just leaving the locks down bound (3:30) and the Peter R Cresswell coming into the locks down bound also(4:10).
Glad you are having fun on your trip. We should have a Sault Boat Watcher Picnic when you get back. Everyone can bring a covered dish. Any takers?

Bill K. said...

Spent the afternoon at the Boat Nerd picnic at Rotary Park in the Sault. A really nice group of people. I look forward to getting together with them again soon. Today is 06/25...saw the Carson J Callaway down bound at 12:40. Saw the work tug David Boyd up bound at 1:00 PM. Saw the Charles M. Beeghly up bound at 3:40 PM. Watch 2 others Lock through on the webcam tonight at 9:15 PM but did not get the names. I got the new autographed issue of Know your boats today. Lots of good info. I also picked up a copy of the Great Lakes Trader. More good information especially about boats being refitted or scraped.

GRIESE.J said...

I was wondering what those things were? I was up in the UP working on Ontanogan Bridge and a job in Marquette and saw those big square things I figured they were for loading ore or coal on to boats.
Might try to get up there for the Big lock projects.

Be Well.

Soo Boat Watcher said...

They are for loading ore onto boats. It was very interesting how they did it with the trains coming in on top and dumping the ore. Good luck as you look for work. If the new lock starts, there should be lots of work.