1. My cabin-we're located between Six and Seven Mile Road. Although the St. Marys River is wide at this spot, we still get a good view. If we want a picture of a boat, we must take our wave runners out to get close. This is a little dicey because you are doing two things at once-hanging on the wave runner and also operating the camera. My worst experience at this was when one of the tall ships passed by. Tom drove me out there for pictures and I took many. Even got close enough for the crew to wave. Once we got back to shore, I found I had the lens cap on for the whole time. Not fun. I never told Tom what I had done!
2. Sugar Island Ferry Dock-The ships slow down for the turn in the river plus the river is narrow at this point. There are great parking spots plus Clyde's Drive-in which is located here has the best hamburgers in town.
3. 4 Mile Park-at the end of 4 Mile, there is a small public park where the ships come very close. In fact, if you are swimming there, you must get out of the water when the ships pass because of the current and wave created that will pull you out to deep water.
4. West Pier-the west end of the Locks used to offer a great boat watching spot before the condos were built there. It is still a good spot plus there is West Pier Drive-In with great burgers. Some people think the best in town but I have another favorite. See #2 above.
5. Soo Locks Boat Tour-I took the above picture while on the Soo Locks Boat Tour. You get up close and personal on the tour. I like to take the tour once a summer. We usually wait for friends to come visit from out of town.
6. The Locks-This is where you will get the closest to the boats and you can even chat with the crew while they lock through. We always take guests there plus we often go just to walk through the park. The Visitor's Center is a must see for guests too.
7. The Rock Cut/Neebish Island area-This location just south of the Soo has a good eating spot as well as a close up look at boats.
Now I want to hear from you. What do you think is the best boat watching spot in the Sault? I'd like to learn a few new ones for this summer.
23 comments:
COOL SHOTS!!! But, I was just at the Soo today and didn't see any green grass! HA! Those are BEFORE winter shots, right??
Thanks Cathy. I took those pictures long before the snow arrived last November but it gives us something to look forward to. I just read in the Grand Rapids Press that Grand Marais has 30 inches of snow and tbe Soo 4 inches. How about by you?
Thank you for sharing your favorite spots - I must check these out the next time we're in the UP!
Shellmo, Thanks and hope you enjoy them and find even more! Do you visit the UP often?
Brenda, First of all you listed my spot's. Did you getthe park to the West of town? I can't think of the name of it but it also has a RV park in it.
Are those your children? good looking family!
Also did you get my Email?
Again thanks for sharing! Tom
SBW. we still have between 20-30 inches on the level (more in the woods) and snow banks yet of about 8'. I think we will have THOSE till we get a warm rain and consistantly warmer temps!
Tom, I can't think of a spot with an RV park west of town other than Brimley State Park. Any other hints about where it is?
The three kids in the pictures on the right are ours. The other two are 'in-laws. Thanks for the compliment.
Cathy, This is the time of year when there is the most difference between the UP and down state. I might be up there this week. My father is having surgery in Ispheming on Monday.
The spot I'm thinking is only less than 10 minutes to the West of town, In fact I think it still is in Sault Saint Marie city.It looks new with a couple of different paly area for the kids along with a wash room. If I remember it has a board walk that runs along the river and you have to walk down a little embankment to reach the water. hope that helps. I was wondering if it is your number 3. Tom
Tom, Could it be Aunt-Osborn Park? It is right on the river near the Sugar Island ferry dock? That is a great place for watching the boats.
I'd be voting for the Cabin! Best spot in the WHOLE U.P. Could have something to do with the great hosts that reside there....
Auntie Ski, Glad you like the Cabin and we are looking forward to having you visit this summer!
I love the Soo ... always have. I especially like your number 7 though. It said it's a good place for food. Er --- do you mean fish food though? In that case . . .
Brenda,
After going on Google Earth, It is indeed Sherman Park off of 4 mile Rd. It is a very nice park to visit when we go up. Thanks, Tom
Yes, Sherman Park. I forgot about that place. The park has a nice sandy beach and great playground equipment for kids. I played and swam there as a child. Even though we lived on the lower river, we didn't have a sandy beach so it was always a treat to go there. I guess I never thought of it as a place to watch ships but it would be. It is just past the west entrance to the Locks.
Will be up there April 25,2009. Are there alot of ships going thru the locks? Thanks
Will be up there April 25,2009. Are there alot of ships going thru the locks? Thanks
The shipping season is underway. You can see what ships have passed recently by using boatnerd.com. On the left is a list. Click on Vessel Passages and then on Sault Ste. Marie. There are an average of 6 -7 boats a day. Definitely enough for boat watching.
Best place to watch ships?? Neebish Island, specifically Little Neebish. You can almost "spit" on the ships. Quite a site when a ship gets sideways. Several years ago when I was there a saltie came through and on the deck was a sailor playing Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. How cool is that??
Jasper, I have to agree with you that Neebish Island has to be great but the access is limited isn't it? Are there any public parks on Neebish Island? I like to go down to the restaurant at Barbeau and watch while eating dinner on the deck. I think it is called Cozy Corners. Although it is often too cool to sit outside. But the boat viewing is good there.
Only public places would be the ferry dock. Lots of private places, but you have to know someone. We no longer go to the Island as the place we stayed does not allow dogs, and our "boy" goes everywhere with us. We now go to Curtis, Michigan and really love but not the same with the ships passing by. My husband is now disabled, so difficult to find places that are handicap accessible.
Cozy Corners was always the last stop before the ferry. Great place to get a meal and relax while waiting on the ferry, after the long drive from central Ohio
Hello. THis was such a sweet post! I have a random question for you guys. Do you know if the cozy corners is still open for business? We'll be coming through on our way to Neebish pretty soon.
Alexandra, Thanks for reading my blog. I'm glad you like it. I think Cozy Corners may be closed. We are there last summer but I will check with the neighbors and let you know. It has a fantastic view of the St. Marys River.
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