Thank You to Lake Superior

We woke during the night to find the curtains blowing almost out straight and rain coming in.  We quickly got up to close all the windows in the cabin.  A new weather system had moved in.  Thank you Lake Superior for providing the cool air after several days of heat and humidity.

 In the morning we were greeted by mayflies.  Obviously a hatch had occurred overnight and the sides of our cabin, car and any other flat surface was covered with these insects.

The seagulls had also noticed the mayflies and a large flock was congregating out front to eat the buffet.  Either that or they were making plans for the day by deciding whether to go to Clydes or West Pier for a day's feasting.

 Most of the day was damp, windy and cold.  We stopped at Karl's Cuisine and had a grilled three cheese sandwich and tomato basil soup-perfect food for a fall-feeling day.

We arrived home just as the sun was peeking out and before long the thick cloud cover had blown away and the nicest part of the day arrived.  It is now 65 degrees with an almost cloudless sky.

There was a special treat on the river this afternoon.  Paul R. Tregurtha and Hon. James L. Oberstar passed out front.  They each sounded a salute.  I never tire of witnessing this.

We also saw the Edwin H. Gott at the Locks while eating at Karl's.  I keep a log of the boats I see and I've done that for years.  Actually it is a hobby I started as a youngster.  I wish I had kept those logs books from the 50's, but I didn't.  I know it is slightly obsessive but it is something I enjoy.  If you ever have questions about what's happening in the lower St. Mary's River, be sure to ask.  I would be glad to share whatever information I have.

Happy boat watching

Sault Boat Watcher

"Every Town Erases Its History"

"Every town erases its history".  Professor James Moody of  Lake Superior State University explained why it is important to document our history before it disappears.

Moody was speaking at the Central United Methodist Church in downtown Sault Ste. Marie as part of the Celebrate with the Historic Churches program held every Monday during July and August.

I have always enjoyed these programs for the peek inside our beautiful churches as well the as the informative programs and concerts.

Professor Moody summarized the past 400 years in a program interspersed with personal accounts of citizens from the past.

The Soo has had a long history with the military starting with American troops that came here during the War of 1812 to burn the house of John Johnston for his support of the British.

There have been three Fort Brady forts starting with a wooden palisade fort.  The third location was on the hill where Lake Superior State University is located.

During the Cold War, Kincheloe Air Force Base housed atomic bombs-possibility 20 of them.  They were loaded on the B-52's and used to maintain the  stand-off with the Russians.

During my high school years I worked as a waitress at Woolworth's in the Soo.  I have no pictures of the store or the lunch counter (although it is firmly in my mind).  Now the store is closed and there is no Woolworths in the Soo.  Professor Moody is right. 

This morning there was a beautiful sunrise here on the St. Marys River.  This sight only lasts a few minutes.  I had to get out there during those few minutes to get the picture.

It is the same with our history.  It is always changing, although slower than a sunrise, but we need to document  to help us remember.  We don't know what will be important to remember 40 years from now.  I did not know that a Woolworth's lunch counter would be important to our country's civil rights struggle.  I would love to be able to show my grandchildren pictures of where I worked and explain that another Woolworths made a difference to our country.

Enjoy your today but save it for tomorrow.

Sault Boat Watcher

Algorail-Whatever & Wherever

Sometimes boats glide silently by our cabin.  We wouldn't even know they are there.  Other times, we hear them approaching from far off.  The chug of the engine rings loud especially during the middle of the night if I happen to be up.

I've learned that it is not the size of the boat that causes the noise but rather the type and age of the engine.

The Algorail just passed on her way up to the Soo.  The Algorail definitely is in the category of a noise maker.

Algorail

I read her history on boatnerd.com.  She was built in 1968 and at 640' long, she is certainly not one of the largest ships.  But this gives her an advantage.  She can maneuver into smaller ports to drop her load of stone, ore, salt, sand, coal or whatever she is carrying.

The Algorail has diesel engines that alert us to her comings and goings.

I would think a good motto for the Algorail would be -Whatever & Wherever.  That's the type of person I would like to be.  To be of service whenever and wherever I'm needed.

Algoma Montrealis just passed down bound.  Although this boat is older and longer than the Algorail, she glided silently by. However, her engines are steam-turbines.  What a difference it makes.

Algoma Montrealis

Another visitor this morning are sun fish that come into the shallow areas to play.  At least that's what we always said about this fish when I was young.  Every year for several weeks during July, the water is churned by this schools of large fish.  As I youngster I was always trying to catch them but never had any success.  Now I can 'catch' them with the camera.

Sun fish in the shallow water

Boat Watching Weekend

Monday and Tuesday have been good days for boat watching on the St. Marys River.  Early this morning I was able to enjoy the Edgar B. Speer make her way quietly up the river while enjoying a beautiful sunrise.  The geese and seagulls are always busy at an early morning hour.

You can see the gulls getting stirred up on the small islands found in the St. Marys River.  These 'islands' were formed when soil that was dredged from the shipping channel in the 1960's was dumped here.  When the water level was high, they were underwater.  But now they are visible and have become a nesting area for gulls.  This is a very noisy and smelly addition to the river during the early summer days.

 Yesterday boats included the Stewart J. Cort and the Alpena.

St. Marys River on NBC Nightly News

NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams did a piece on the low water levels of the Great Lakes called Deep Impact on Tuesday, June 18, 2013. 

They interviewed Mark Barker of Interlake Steamship Company and had some footage of the Mesabi Miner.

The piece also mentioned the St. Marys River and how the water levels in the river control the amount of cargo a greighter can carry.

Interesting and worth listening to.

This photo shows the low water level of the St. Marys River.  The green grass was river bottom a few years back.  Now we mow it to keep it from filling in with scrub vegetation.

Roger Blough

Roger Blough 6-15-2013

Roger Blough showing through the fog on June 11, 2013

Both of the above pictures are of the same boat-the Roger Blough.  Both pictures were taken last week and they show the big changes we have been experiencing in our weather here on the St. Marys River.

 Three times in the past week the river has been shut down to shipping because of fog.  I was able to take the photo where just the front and the rear  of the Blough are showing.  When the river system is closed, boats must anchor and wait for the fog to lift.

The other picture was taken Saturday, June 15, 2013, as the Blough was heading up the river on a perfectly calm day. 

Quiet Day for June 13, 2013

Mesabi Miner-1,000 footer

 Burns Harbor and American Spirit salute while passing

As always, our Canada geese enjoy boat watching!

My day started around 5:30 am.  The first thing in my morning routine is to look out at the river for boats and geese.  If there are geese, I make sure they aren't coming close to our yard.  They do come into our yard frequently.  I don't see them but I see evidence that they have been there.

Today there were no geese but the St. Clair was moving silently up the river.  Some boats are very noisy and I can hear their engines chugging for a while.  But the St. Clair was just gliding by as the sun came peeking up over Sugar Island.  It was a peaceful way to start my day.

My next step is then to start the coffee maker which I set up the night before.  I read today that research is showing that 1 - 3 cups of coffee daily will help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's.  I certainly am doing my part for my future mental health.